Former UN Official calls October 7 Hamas attack "Entirely justifiable and long overdue" 

Former UN Special Rapporteur for Palestine, Richard Falk, has stirred controversy once again with his remarks on the October 7, 2023 massacre carried out by Hamas. In a recent interview with the Indian news outlet Countercurrents, Falk claimed that the attack, in which around 1,200 Israelis were killed, was "long overdue" and “entirely justifiable," even if certain actions during the attack may have violated international law.

Falk’s defense of the Hamas assault came amid global outrage over the horrific violence that shocked the world. While acknowledging that atrocities may have accompanied the attack, he argued that, in context, the attack itself was justified. Falk criticized Western narratives that portrayed the massacre as an unexpected act of terror, emphasizing that it was part of a larger context of Palestinian suffering. He also defended UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres' controversial comment that the massacre did not occur "in a vacuum," which sparked significant debate.

Further justifying his stance, Falk supported the view of Chinese Ambassador to The Hague Zhang Jun, who asserted that Palestinians have the “inalienable right” to engage in armed struggle against Israel. Falk claimed that this interpretation of international law is one that the West generally rejects, despite its legal basis.

The remarks by Falk have raised concerns among critics of his views, particularly regarding his long-standing anti-Israel stance. Professor Anne Bayefsky, Director of the Touro Institute on Human Rights and the Holocaust, pointed out that Falk's comments align with the ongoing case against Israel at the International Criminal Court (ICC). Bayefsky also highlighted that Falk’s positions have previously been cited by ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan in efforts to criminalize Israeli actions in self-defense.

Falk has faced numerous accusations of antisemitism throughout his career, with some critics pointing to his past inflammatory statements, such as defending violent resistance by Palestinians and supporting Hamas. In 2011, the Anti-Defamation League accused him of posting an antisemitic cartoon on his blog, which was also condemned by other UN officials. Despite his apology for the incident, Falk’s controversial history continues to spark debate about his credibility and the impact of his views on international law and diplomacy.

Falk’s recent interview further fuels the ongoing debate surrounding the legitimacy of armed struggle, the rights of Palestinians, and the role of international institutions like the UN and ICC in addressing the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.