Israel’s threats to UN Secretary-General
14.12.2023
Question for written answer E-003677/2023
to the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
Rule 138
César Luena (S&D)
The UN Security Council met on 8 December after the Secretary-General invoked Article 99 of the UN Charter, urging the highest body charged with safeguarding international peace to prevent an even greater humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza and unite in calling for a full humanitarian ceasefire. In his statement, the Secretary-General highlighted the role that Israel’s occupation of Palestine played in the Hamas attacks on 8 October 2023.
After his speech, the Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations, Gilad Erdan, expressed his anger and called for Guterres’ immediate resignation. Erdan claimed that Guterres was not fit to be UN Secretary-General, interpreting his comments as justification for the attacks carried out by the terrorist group Hamas. He also announced that Israel would refuse to grant a visa to UN Under-Secretary-General Martin Griffiths, and that it would not issue any more visas to UN representatives.
- 1.What is the Commission’s opinion of Israel’s conduct and its remarks vis-à-vis the UN Secretary-General?
- 2.Does the Commission intend to react or respond to these threats in some way?
Submitted: 14.12.2023