Borrell to Israel: “No attacks on UN, crucial for peace and stability”

Brussels – Israel’s reasons are not worth more than anything else, certainly not more than the United Nations. The EU High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, sent a clear and firm message to the Jewish state and its representatives. He does so by responding to a parliamentary question complaining about the behavior of Gilad Erdan, Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, who is critical, too critical, of the UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres.

What happened dates back to December 8,  when Guterres criticized how Israel was responding to the October 7 attacks. A response deemed excessive, so much so that the UN Secretary-General called for respect for human rights and a ceasefire. Words that did not please Erdan who said that by criticizing Israel, one is siding with the Hamas terrorists. The Israeli ambassador called for Guterres’ resignation and threatened not to grant visas to any UN official.

“The EU rejects attacks against the UN Secretary General or attempts to disqualify the UN as the fundamental body that works for peace and stability in the world,” Borrell said today. A clear message to the Netanyahu government, insisting on the need to respect basic human rights.

“The EU supports the United Nations (UN) Secretary General’s call for the UN Security Council to act to avert a humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza and the collapse of the humanitarian system,” Borrell added, implicitly accusing Israel of creating untenable situations that are increasingly difficult to endure. Israel’s motives have gone a bit too far, and Borrell says it as best he can.