UN Chief's Remarks on Hamas Attacks Anger Israel, Minister Cancels Meeting

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres's comments to the Security Council that attacks by Hamas “did not happen in a vacuum” angered Israel, prompting its Foreign Minister Eli Cohen to cancel a scheduled meeting with Guterres.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres's recent comments to the Security Council regarding the attacks by Hamas have sparked outrage in Israel, with the country's Foreign Minister Eli Cohen calling for Guterres's resignation and apology. Cohen, who was scheduled to meet with Guterres later Tuesday afternoon at the UN headquarters, cancelled the meeting in response to the UN chief's remarks, accusing him of "tolerating and justifying" terrorism.

Guterres's Remarks to the Security Council

Addressing the Security Council, Guterres expressed concern over the escalating situation in the Middle East, particularly the raging war in Gaza, which he warned could spiral throughout the region. While acknowledging the attacks by Hamas, Guterres emphasized that they did not occur in a vacuum, highlighting the 56 years of suffocating occupation, land seizures, violence, economic strangulation, displacement, and home demolitions endured by the Palestinian people. However, he also condemned the attacks by Hamas, stating that the grievances of the Palestinian people cannot justify such actions, nor can they justify the collective punishment of the Palestinian people.

Cohen's Response

Cohen took to Twitter to express his anger, stating that he would not meet with Guterres and calling for the eradication of Hamas. Speaking to reporters at the UN Security Council stakeout, Cohen accused Guterres of losing all morality and impartiality, claiming that by suggesting the attacks did not happen in a vacuum, he was tolerating and justifying terrorism. Cohen further criticized Guterres for blaming Israel, the victim, and called for his resignation, stating that the UN chief had no justification to remain in his position unless he apologized immediately.

Erdan's Condemnation

Israel's Ambassador to the UN, Gilad Erdan, also lashed out at Guterres, describing his remarks as "unfathomable." Erdan accused Guterres of tolerating and justifying terrorism by Hamas, which he said had committed heinous acts such as beheading babies, burning families, raping women, and abducting children, babies, and Holocaust survivors. Erdan argued that Guterres was blaming the victim and called for his resignation, stating that the UN chief had lost all credibility and impartiality. He also questioned the existence of the UN building, given its failure to prevent such atrocities.

Cohen's Call for Support

Cohen, addressing reporters, emphasized that there was only one side to support in the conflict, and that was Israel. He stated that Israel was fighting not only for itself but for the entire free world, warning that the West could be next if Hamas was not eliminated entirely. Cohen expressed frustration with the lack of a clear and loud voice in response to the situation and reiterated his decision to cancel the meeting with Guterres.

Erdan's Accusations of Impartiality

Erdan, visibly angry, accused Guterres of lacking impartiality and not truly caring about the suffering of Israeli civilians. He argued that the UN chief's empty words were not enough and that his actions did not reflect a genuine concern for the atrocities committed against Israelis. Erdan asserted that the UN was established to prevent such atrocities, but it was failing in its duty. He was joined at the stakeout by families of Israeli hostages held by Hamas.

Guterres's Meeting with Hostage Families

In response to the Israeli Foreign Minister's cancellation of the meeting, Guterres's spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric, confirmed that the secretary general would proceed with a meeting at 4:30 p.m. with family representatives of the hostages held in Gaza. The representatives will be accompanied by a representative of the Israeli Permanent Mission to the United Nations.

The UN Secretary-General's remarks on the attacks by Hamas have caused significant tension with Israel, leading to the cancellation of a meeting between Guterres and Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen. The Israeli officials accused Guterres of tolerating and justifying terrorism, while Guterres emphasized the need to recognize the context of the attacks without condoning them. The situation in the Middle East remains critical, and the international community is grappling with finding a peaceful resolution to the conflict.