Guterres Stands By His Comments After Israel Misinterprets Message
October 25, 2023—United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres is standing by comments he made yesterday at the UN Security Council after Israel’s ambassador erupted in rage.
The flare-up occurred on the sidelines of a day-long meeting by the Security Council on the security situation in the Middle East, the Israel-Hamas war, and the massive humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
‘Even War Has Rules’
On Tuesday, Guterres clearly condemned the October 7 terrorist attacks against Israel by Hamas, acknowledged longstanding problems with Israel’s 56-year occupation of the Palestinians, and reminded all parties that “even war has rules.”
Guterres has been in the midst of the massive humanitarian crisis in Gaza since the start of the war. He has advocated for safe and continuous humanitarian aid for people in the Gaza Strip, who have been under constant bombardment and a blockade. Guterres has been calling for upholding international laws under the Geneva Conventions. He said over a million Gazans are now displaced. He called for an immediate release of the hostages held by Hamas and for
“Nothing can justify the deliberate killing, injuring, and kidnapping of civilians — or the launching of rockets against civilian targets,” Guterres said.
‘Suffocating Occupation’
Guterres recently returned to New York from Egypt, where intense diplomacy has been going on concerning the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, the war itself, the threat of the war expanding, and discussion about the longstanding problems in Israel-Palestinian relations. Regional and world leaders at the Cairo Summit reiterated support for a two-state solution and international means to support sustainable peace.
Within that context, Guterres mentioned the “suffocating occupation” of 56 years, during which Palestinians saw “their economy stifled, their people displaced, their homes demolished, and their hopes for a political solution vanishing.”
‘No Two Sides,’ Israel Says
Israel’s diplomats took offense. Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen canceled his planned meeting with Guterres.
“There are not two sides at this moment. There is only one side to support in front of the aggression,” Cohen said.
Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations took the dispute one step further. UN Amb. Gilad Erdan said Gueterres is “blaming the victim” and should “resign” for showing impartiality.
“He doesn’t really care of the suffering of Israeli civilians,” Erdan said, adding, “The UN is failing. The UN is failing. And you, Mr. Secretary General have lost all morality.”
UN Chief Stands By Statement
Today, Guterres, the UN chief, responded, saying he is “shocked” by the accusation. He repeated his statement that he condemns “unequivocally the horrifying and unprecedented 7 October attack by Hamas and Israel.” He added he felt it is necessary to “set the record” straight about the Middle East crisis, “especially out of respect for the victims and their families.”
Civilian casualties in Gaza have exceeded 5,500, since the war began October 7. Children make up at least 2,000 of those dead. Israel and the West face increasing criticism, especially by leaders in the Middle East, for allowing mass civilian casualties. The Security Council is scheduled to meet today to consider more resolutions. So far, four resolutions have failed in the council, including the one the United States vetoed.
