Israeli Foreign Minister: Guterres unfit to be head of the UN

2023-11-14 21:09:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

Israeli Foreign Minister: Guterres unfit to be head of the UN

Israel's Foreign Minister, Eli Cohen

Israel's Foreign Minister Eli Cohen said Tuesday that United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is unfit to lead the world body, adding that he has not done enough to condemn the radical Palestinian group Hamas. , which is declared a terrorist organization by the United States and the European Union.

His comments, at a press conference inside the UN building in Geneva, signaled increased criticism of the UN from Israel in the same week that the latter mourned the killing of more than 100 staff members. own in the Gaza Strip.

"Guterres does not deserve to be the head of the United Nations," said Cohen.

Cohen is in Geneva for meetings with the World Health Organization, the International Committee of the Red Cross and the families of the Israeli hostages.

"I think Guterres, like all free nations, should say clearly and loudly: Free Gaza from Hamas. Everyone said that Hamas is worse than ISIS. Why can't he say it?" he emphasized.

Guterres previously said that "something is wrong" with Israel's military operation, during which more than 11,000 Palestinians have been killed so far.

The Israeli bombing of Gaza comes after Hamas fighters breached border barriers and entered southern Israel on October 7, killing 1,200 people and taking 240 hostages, according to Israeli officials.

Meanwhile, Cohen said he expects more from the Red Cross to reach the hostages.

"I think the minimum the Red Cross can do is meet the hostages; find evidence that they are alive and send medicine to the hostages in need," he said.

On the same day, the president of the United States, Joe Biden, said that he is engaged in daily talks to secure the release of the hostages being held by Hamas.

"Hold on, we're coming," Biden said at the White House when asked by reporters what his message was to family members of the hostages.

Biden emphasized that he talks every day with the parties involved in talks about the possible release of the hostages, but did not want to give details./ REL