UNITED NATIONS: The relationship between Israel and the United Nations, long fraught with tensions, has reached a new low since the onset of the Gaza war on October 7.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently condemned the UN, accusing it of perpetuating anti-Semitism and calling it a “contemptuous farce” during a speech at the General Assembly.
Israel has repeatedly criticized the UN for its condemnation of Israeli actions, particularly its military offensive in Gaza, which has resulted in over 41,500 civilian deaths, according to Hamas-run health authorities.
The conflict has seen mounting accusations from UN officials, some of whom have accused Israel of committing “genocide.” This rhetoric has been met with harsh responses from Israeli officials, who allege that the UN has shown bias in favor of the Palestinians.
Israeli calls for the resignation of UN Secretary-General António Guterres intensified after he suggested that Hamas’s October 7 attack on Israel, which killed over 1,200 civilians, did not occur in isolation but within the context of decades of occupation.
Additionally, UNRWA, the UN agency supporting Palestinian refugees, has faced severe scrutiny. Israel has called for its dissolution, accusing the agency of perpetuating the Palestinian refugee crisis and harboring Hamas affiliates among its staff. UN experts have warned that Israel’s disdain for the UN threatens the organization’s credibility and authority, raising concerns about broader implications for global governance.
The relationship between Israel and the UN is at its most strained point in decades, with sharp disagreements over the Gaza conflict and broader issues related to international law and accountability.
