Israel’s Ambassador to the United Nations (UN), Gilad Erdan, has issued a resounding call for the immediate resignation of the UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres.
Erdan’s demand comes in the wake of his strong condemnation of the Secretary-General’s alleged understanding of a campaign involving mass murder, mainly targeting children, women, and older people.
Guterres told the 15-member UN Security Council that at a “crucial moment like this,” it was vital to be clear that war has rules, starting with the fundamental principle of respecting and protecting civilians.
“It is important to also recognize the attacks by Hamas did not happen in a vacuum. The Palestinian people have been subjected to 56 years of suffocating occupation,” Guterres said.
“But the grievances of the Palestinian people cannot justify the appalling attacks by Hamas. And those appalling attacks cannot justify the collective punishment of the Palestinian people,” he said.
Ambassador Erdan described Guterres’ speech as “shocking.”
“His statement that ‘the attacks by Hamas did not happen in a vacuum’ expressed an understanding for terrorism and murder.
“It’s truly sad that the head of an organization that arose after the Holocaust holds such horrible views.”
He added:
”The UN Secretary-General, who shows understanding for the campaign of mass murder of children, women, and the elderly, is not fit to lead the UN.
”I call on him to resign immediately. There is no justification or point in talking to those who show compassion for the most terrible atrocities committed against the citizens of Israel and the Jewish people. There are simply no words.”
