UN Chief Antonio Guterres slams accusations of justifying Hamas attack

In a recent turn of events, the United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, faced a wave of criticism and was left stunned by the “gross misinterpretation” of his words uttered in the Security Council. Israel, taking offense to Guterres’ comments, insinuated that he was in support of Hamas’ terrorist assault on October 7. This criticism reached its pinnacle when Israeli Ambassador Gilad Erdan leveled the charge of “justifying terrorism” against Guterres and called for his immediate resignation.

Guterres Fires Back

In a press briefing on Wednesday, the UN chief asserted his position, clarifying his stance on the issue. Guterres expressed his astonishment and dismay, saying, “I am shocked by misinterpretations by some of my statement yesterday in the Security Council – as if it was justifying acts of terror by Hamas. This is false. It was the opposite.”

Israel vs. UN Chief: Antonio Guterres clears air on alleged Hamas attack. Photo courtesy of European Commission (Christophe Licoppe)/Wikimedia Commons.

Quoting his Original Remarks

Guterres emphasized the primary intent behind his earlier remarks, revealing the statement where he had explicitly denounced the terror attack by Hamas on Israel. He quoted, “I have condemned unequivocally the horrifying and unprecedented 7 October acts of terror by Hamas in Israel.” The UN chief further elucidated that his comments were by no means an endorsement of the Hamas onslaught. He proclaimed, “Nothing can justify the deliberate killing, injuring and kidnapping of civilians – or the launching of rockets against civilian targets.”

Setting the Record Straight

Determined to rectify the misconceptions surrounding his statements, Guterres highlighted the context in which his comments were made. He elucidated, “I spoke of the grievances of the Palestinian people. In doing so, I clearly stated, and I quote: ‘But the grievances of the Palestinian people cannot justify the appalling attacks by Hamas’.” Reinforcing his commitment to truth and clarity, he emphasized the need to “set the record straight” especially for the respect of the victims and their families.