Israel denies visa to UN officials after an 'attempt to justify Hamas assault'

Israel claims that in response to remarks made by UN Secretary-General António Guterres at the UN, it has denied a visa to UN Humanitarian Affairs Chief Martin Griffiths.

According to Israeli media, Gilad Erdan, Israel’s ambassador to the UN, stated on army radio: “We will not provide UN representatives visas in response to his comments. Martin Griffiths, the undersecretary general for humanitarian affairs, has already had his visa denied. It’s time to impart some wisdom to them.”

Israel has demanded the resignation of UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres after he mentioned “the clear violations of international humanitarian law that we are witnessing in Gaza” and stated that the “appalling attacks” by Hamas against Israel on October 7 cannot justify the “collective punishment of the Palestinian people.”

Nothing can excuse the intentional murder, injury, or kidnapping of civilians, or the firing of missiles at human targets, according to Guterres. Every hostage must receive compassionate treatment before being freed instantly and without restrictions.

Speaking to the UN, the secretary-general continued, saying that the attack on Israel was not “in a vacuum” and that it came after “56 years of suffocating occupation” by Israel for the Palestinian people. “They have seen their economy stifled; their people displaced and their homes demolished; their land steadily devoured by settlements and plagued by violence,” the secretary-general continued. Their dreams of a political remedy for their situation have been dwindling.

Gilad Erdan, Israel’s ambassador to the UN, called Guterres’ speech “shocking” and stated that “he views the massacre committed by Nazi Hamas terrorists in a distorted and immoral manner,” suggesting that Guterres should step down.

(With inputs from agencies)