After UN security general appears to justify Hamas invasion, Israel's Foreign Minister Cohen cancels meeting

Following a statement by UN Secretary-General António Guterres at the United Nations Security Council meeting, during which Guterres seemed to justify Hamas invasion on Oct. 7, Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen canceled his meeting with the UN head.

In his opening remarks regarding the Israel-Hamas war at the UN Security Council gathering, Guterres stated: “We must recognize that Hamas attacks did not happen in a vacuum. The Palestinians are under a stifling occupation, their lands are being taken, the economy is paralyzed, and their homes have been destroyed. The chances of a political solution are fading.”

Guterres also appeared to blame Israel for “violations of international humanitarian law."

“I am deeply concerned about the clear violations of international humanitarian law that we are witnessing in Gaza. Let me be clear: No party to an armed conflict is above international humanitarian law,” the UN leader said.

Cohen blasted Guterres in his address to the council.

“Mr. secretary-general, in what world do you live?” Cohen asked during his remarks to the UNSC.

“I call on you to stand with Israel in its mission to wipe the monsters off the face of the earth. If not all nations stand up for the basic values of humanity as they appear in the UN Charter, it will be the darkest hour for the United Nations to lose the moral foundation of its existence,” Cohen said.

Cohen also said, “After October 7, there is no room for a balanced approach. Hamas must be erased from the world!”

The foreign minister also announced that he had canceled his planned meeting with the Guterres that was scheduled for later in the day.

Israel's Ambassador to the UN Gilad Erdan slammed Guterres and called for his resignation.

“The UN secretary-general, who shows understanding for a campaign of mass murder of children, women and the elderly, must resign from his position. Nothing less,” Erdan stated.

“There is no justification or reason for dialogue with anyone who shows understanding for the most terrible acts committed against Israeli citizens, and more by a declared terrorist organization.”

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken called out members of the UNSC for their lack of condemnation for Hamas’ brutal attacks.

“Where is the rage? Where is the explicit condemnation of these atrocities? We must affirm the right of every nation to defend itself and prevent such acts from happening again,” Blinken told the Security Council.

Blinken also issued a warning to Iran in his remarks.

“The U.S. is not looking for conflict with Iran. But if Iran and its allies hurt us, we will respond.”