United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday singled Israel out for criticism in remarks before the UN Security Council.
“2022 was a deadly year for both Palestinians and Israelis. We condemn all unlawful killings and acts by extremists. There is no justification for terrorism,” said Guterres, who spoke at a session on “the Promotion and Strengthening of the Rule of Law in the Maintenance of International Peace and Security”.
“At the same time, the expansion of settlements by Israel, as well as home demolitions and evictions, are driving anger and despair,” continued the UN chief.
“I am also very concerned by the unilateral initiatives that we have seen in recent days. The rule of law is at the heart of achieving a just and comprehensive peace, based on a two-state solution, in line with UN resolutions, international law and previous agreements,” said Guterres.
The Secretary-General mentioned Israel in his remarks alongside countries such as Russia, North Korea, Afghanistan and Myanmar.
Guterres’ comments come one week after the UN Security Council held a special discussion following National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir’s visit to the Temple Mount.
At the meeting, Israel’s Ambassador to the UN, Gilad Erdan, presented the facts regarding the history of the Temple Mount and the Palestinian Arab violations of the status quo through the opening of more mosques on the Temple Mount, by trying to prevent Jews from visiting, and by using the mosques to store weapons and rocks for attack.
Erdan criticized the very existence of the debate, noting that there are many conflicts going on across the world and “yet here we are, discussing the peaceful, 13-minute visit of a Jewish minister to the holiest Jewish site under the sovereignty of the liberal democracy of Israel.”
Ambassador Erdan also quoted a past statement from Palestinian Authority chairman Mahmoud Abbas, who said, “The Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Church of the Holy Sepulcher are ours. They are all ours, and the Jews have no right to defile them with their filthy feet.”
“Is this the way to uphold the status quo? This is blatant incitement and the rewriting of history. Was there an emergency Security Council meeting when these toxic words were uttered?” asked the Ambassador.