In the ongoing verbal clash between Israel and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, tension escalates.
Israel, accusing Guterres of justifying the recent Hamas onslaught, claims he stated, “it did not happen in a vacuum.” In response, the UN chief vehemently refutes this, asserting that Jerusalem twisted his words. Guterres emphasizes that in the same speech, he explicitly mentioned that the “grievances of the Palestinian people cannot justify the appalling attacks by Hamas.”
Dissatisfied with Guterres’ defense, Israel’s Ambassador to the UN, Gilad Erdan, expresses profound disappointment, labeling Guterres’ response a “disgrace.” Erdan demands a retraction or an apology for the remarks. Reiterating his stance from yesterday, Erdan insists that the secretary-general must resign.
Erdan issues a statement, condemning Guterres’ distortion of reality. He argues, “The secretary-general implied that the massacre and murder spree by Hamas ‘did not happen in a vacuum.’ It is evident to any discerning individual that his words insinuate Israel’s culpability for Hamas’ actions, or at least, a tacit endorsement and understanding of the massacre.” Erdan firmly believes, “A secretary-general who fails to recognize that the killing of innocents can never be justified, regardless of any ‘context,’ is unfit for the role.”
Tensions persist between the two parties, with the demand for accountability and clarity hanging heavily in the air.
