Anger in Israel: Israel's ambassador to the UN, Gilad Erdan, strongly criticized UN Secretary-General António Guterres, following his statement in the Security Council meeting that the Hamas attack occurred because the Palestinians are "under occupation." In his remarks, Erdan called on Guterres to resign from his position immediately.
"The UN Secretary-General, who shows understanding towards the mass murder of children, women, and the elderly, must resign from his position. No less than that. I call on him to resign immediately from his role," said Erdan. "There is no justification or reason to engage with someone who demonstrates an understanding of the most heinous acts committed against Israeli citizens. And by a recognized terrorist organization, no less!!! There are no words. Simply no words."
He further claimed, "The shocking speech by the UN Secretary-General at the beginning of the Security Council debate, while rockets are being fired at all of Israel, proved once and for all that the Secretary-General is completely detached from the reality in our region and he views the Hamas terrorists' massacre of our children in a distorted and immoral way. His statement as if the Hamas Nazi terrorist attack 'did not happen in a vacuum' constitutes a justification for terrorism and murder. It's appalling. It's sad that at the helm of an organization that arose in the aftermath of the Holocaust, there is someone with such views. It's chilling."
Benny Gantz, the minister, also stated, "Days when the UN Secretary-General legitimizes terrorism are dark days indeed. There is no way to justify the killing of innocent civilians. Those who do not stand on the right side of history will be judged by it. Those who provide legitimacy to terrorism have no right to speak in the name of the world."
Culture Minister Miki Zohar added, "While the entire Western world is standing alongside Israel in its fight against Hamas-ISIS, it is precisely the UN Secretary-General who chooses to take the dark side of history. There is no other explanation for this other than anti-Semitism and pure hatred of Jews."
Chairman of Yisrael Beiteinu, Avigdor Lieberman, said, "It would be advisable for the UN Secretary-General to study history before spouting nonsense. This is the adoption of the false Palestinian narrative that the UN has been reinforcing for years. Anyone who finds justification for the killing of women and children is no different from the despicable terrorists of Hamas. The Secretary-General, in his words, essentially facilitates the murder of Jews and Israelis, and he should be removed from his position."