From the Liveblog of
Tuesday, September 24, 2024
UN chief accuses Israel of ‘collective punishment’ in Gaza
Lazar Berman is The Times of Israel's diplomatic reporter
UN Secretary-General António Guterres accuses Israel of “collective punishment” of the Palestinians in Gaza.
Speaking at the opening of the General Assembly’s annual debate among world leaders, Guterres says that “nothing can justify the abhorrent acts of terror committed by Hamas on October 7 or the taking of hostages, both of which I have repeatedly condemned.”
“And nothing can justify the collective punishment of the Palestinian people,” he continues, this time to applause.
Guterres says that the “speed and scale of the destruction and killing in Gaza are unlike anything in my years as secretary general.” He also notes that over 200 UN staff have been killed.
He stresses that the UN still provides services in Gaza, and says to the assembled officials: “I know you join me in paying a special tribute to UNRWA,” referring to the UN agency for Palestinian refugees
Guterres says that the international community “must mobilize for an immediate ceasefire, the immediate and unconditional release of hostages, and the beginning of an irreversible process toward a two-state solution.”
“What is the alternative? How can the world accept one state in which a large number of Palestinians will be included without any freedom, any rights or dignity?” he asks.
Guterres also expresses alarm over the recent escalation between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon.
“Gaza is a nonstop nightmare that threatens to take the entire region with it,” he says. “Look no further than Lebanon. We should all be alarmed by the escalation. Lebanon is at the brink. The people of Lebanon, the people of Israel and the people of the world cannot afford Lebanon to become another Gaza.”
In response, UN Ambassador Danny Danon blasts the assembly’s reaction to Guterres’s speech. “When the UN Secretary General speaks about the release of our hostages, the UN assembly remains silent,” he says, “but when he speaks about the suffering in Gaza he receives wild applause. This is the opening signal for the annual show of hypocrisy.”
