Israel, allies turn against UN over ‘despicable’ stance on Gaza war

Following UN secretary general’s outrageous remarks and failure of world body to condemn Hamas, some say it’s time to leave.

By Israel Today Staff | | Topics: Gaza, Hamas, United Nations
Israelis protest against the United Nations outside the world body's headquarters in Jerusalem. Photo by Yonatan Sindel/Flash90
Israelis protest against the United Nations outside the world body's headquarters in Jerusalem. Photo by Yonatan Sindel/Flash90

Czech Defense Minister Jana Černochová on Sunday called for her country to leave the United Nations following the General Assembly’s approval of a resolution demanding a ceasefire in Gaza that didn’t mention Hamas or the hundreds of hostages kidnapped by the Islamist terrorist group.

The Czech Republic, one of Israel’s closest allies in Europe, was one of only 14 countries that opposed Friday’s resolution, which came three weeks after Hamas massacred more than 1,400 persons in Israel and took some 230 others hostage to Gaza, including dozens of foreign nationals.

“In my opinion, the Czech Republic has no place in an organization that cheers on terrorists and does not respect the fundamental right to self-defense,” Černochová said. “Let’s get out.”

Her remarks were posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, by the executive director of UN Watch, Hillel Neuer.

Israel has decried the “despicable” resolution as “a day of infamy” for the world body, while Hamas has praised it.

Only 14 countries voted against the resolution: Austria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Fiji, Guatemala, Hungary, Israel, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Tonga and the United States.

“Exactly three weeks ago, Hamas murdered over 1,400 Israelis, more victims for their population than the militant Islamist organization al-Qaeda murdered in the US on 9/11. And only 14 countries, including ours, have spoken out clearly and understandably against this unprecedented terrorist attack perpetrated by Hamas terrorists! I am ashamed of the UN,” Černochová said.

Last week, Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala traveled to Israel to express his “clear support and solidarity” with the Jewish state amid its war against Hamas.

 

The UN has lost all legitimacy

The non-binding resolution, which passed by a vote of 120-14 with 45 abstentions, calls for the release of all civilians, the protection of civilians and international institutions, and ensuring the safe passage of humanitarian aid into the Strip.

As noted, it omits any mention of Hamas, which murdered more than 1,400 Israelis in the worst one-day massacre of the Jewish people since the Holocaust, or the roughly 230 people taken hostage to Gaza, including dozens of foreign nationals.

Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen decried the “despicable” resolution and said that “Israel intends to eliminate Hamas just as the world dealt with the Nazis and ISIS.”

Ambassador to the UN Gilad Erdan also dismissed the resolution, adding that Israel would continue to defend itself.

“This is a dark day for the UN and for mankind,” Erdan said, vowing Israel will use “every means” in fighting Hamas.

“Today is a day that will go down as infamy. We have all witnessed that the UN no longer holds even one ounce of legitimacy or relevance,” he added.

Hamas praised the resolution, which was introduced by Jordan, and called for its immediate implementation, including the clause calling for the entry of fuel and relief materials for civilians in the Gaza Strip.

 

The vote

The resolution was supported by Western countries whose leaders recently paid solidarity trips to Israel, including France, while others including Germany, the UK, Greece and Cyprus abstained.

The 45 countries that abstained also included Australia, Canada, Finland, India, Iraq, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Poland, South Korea, Sweden, Tunisia and Ukraine.

Belgium, Ireland, Norway and Switzerland were among the European nations that voted in favor.

 

US condemns vote

In a speech ahead of the vote, US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield blasted the Jordanian initiative for neglecting to mention Hamas.

“It is outrageous that this resolution fails to name the perpetrators of the Oct. 7 terrorist attacks: Hamas,” Thomas-Greenfield said, noting that there is also no reference to hostages.

Canada had sought to have an amendment added to include a condemnation of Hamas. A majority of members backed the proposal, but it fell short of the two-thirds majority needed to be adopted.

 

Moral bankruptcy

Last week, UN Secretary-General António Guterres set off a firestorm in Jerusalem when he started a Security Council meeting by stating that the brutal Hamas invasion of Israel “did not happen in a vacuum,” effectively blaming Israel for the entire tragic affair.

Cohen, who was present at the session, demanded to know: “Mr. Secretary General, in what world do you live? Definitely this is not our world.”

Israel’s top diplomat promptly cancelled his meeting with the UN chief for later that day.

With reporting by JNS.

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