UN Chief’s refusal to condemn Hamas for hostage murders sparks global outrage and accusations of aiding terrorists.
At a Glance
- UN Secretary-General António Guterres criticized for not explicitly condemning Hamas for murdering six hostages, including an American
- Former Israeli UN ambassador accuses Guterres of having “Israeli and American blood on his hands”
- Chairwoman Elise Stefanik labels Guterres’ inaction as “antisemitic, inhumane, and unforgivable”
- Critics argue Guterres’ stance undermines UN principles and emboldens Hamas
UN Chief’s Controversial Statement Sparks Backlash
UN Secretary-General António Guterres has come under fire for his reluctance to explicitly condemn Hamas following the murder of six hostages, including an American citizen. The bodies of the hostages, among them Israeli-American Hersh Goldberg-Polin, were discovered by Israel Defense Forces in Gaza’s Rafah city. Guterres’ response, posted on social media platform X, described the news as “tragic” and called for the unconditional release of all hostages, but notably failed to mention Hamas or condemn their actions directly.
The UN chief’s statement has ignited a firestorm of criticism from various quarters, with many accusing him of moral failure and even complicity in terrorism. Former Israeli UN ambassador Gilad Erdan didn’t mince words, stating that Guterres “not only has Israeli blood on his hands, but he has American blood on his hands too.” Erdan accused the Secretary-General of doing “ZERO to help” the hostages since meeting with their families, pointing out that Guterres could have demanded Red Cross visits or held Hamas accountable.
UN chief slammed for not condemning Hamas terrorists in statement on murdered US and Israeli hostages https://t.co/4VsrdwzuoB
— Fox News (@FoxNews) September 1, 2024
Accusations of Aiding Terrorists and Calls for Action
The controversy has extended to the halls of U.S. Congress, where Chairwoman Elise Stefanik released a scathing statement condemning Guterres’ failure to denounce Hamas. Stefanik accused the UN chief of “aiding and abetting Hamas in their war against our precious ally Israel” through his silence. She argued that Guterres should be utilizing every tool at the UN’s disposal to unequivocally condemn Hamas and secure the release of hostages.
“The complete and total failure of UN Secretary-General António Guterres to condemn Hamas terrorists for their barbarous, gruesome atrocities committed on October 7th against Israel and the kidnapping of hundreds of hostages is undoubtedly aiding and abetting Hamas in their war against our precious ally Israel. Today, Guterres abjectly failed to call out and condemn Hamas for their heinous murder of six hostages including one American. Guterres should be using every tool the UN has to unequivocally condemn Hamas terrorists and bring these hostages home, instead the UN continues to spew antisemitism attacking Israel. His inaction and silence is antisemitic, inhumane, and unforgivable,” said Stefanik in a statement.
Critics argue that Guterres’ reluctance to name and condemn Hamas directly sends a dangerous message that could embolden terrorists and undermine the very principles of justice and human rights that the UN is meant to uphold. Hillel Neuer, executive director of UN Watch, challenged Guterres on social media, asking, “Hamas just murdered six Israeli and American hostages by shooting them in the head. Why can’t you say so? Why can’t you condemn them?”
Broader Implications for UN Credibility
The controversy surrounding Guterres’ statement is part of a larger pattern of criticism directed at the UN and its agencies for their handling of the Israel-Hamas conflict. UN agencies, including UNRWA, have been embroiled in scandals showing sympathy for Hamas, further eroding trust in the international body’s impartiality. The fact that Hamas is not listed as a terrorist organization by the United Nations has also drawn scrutiny and criticism from those who believe the UN is failing to take a strong stance against terrorism.
“Save your crocodile tears for someone who has an ounce of respect for your leadership,” wrote the Israeli diplomat Yaki Lopez.
As global outrage continues to mount, many are calling for Guterres to take a clearer and more decisive stance against Hamas and its actions. The incident has reignited debates about the role of international diplomacy in addressing terrorism and the challenges of maintaining neutrality while upholding fundamental human rights. For now, the UN chief’s response remains a focal point of controversy, highlighting the complex and often contentious nature of international relations in times of conflict.
