Israeli authorities announced this Wednesday that UN representatives will be denied visas Following the latest remarks from the organization’s Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who said on Tuesday that the “horrific” attacks carried out on October 7 by the Islamist group Hamas “did not arise out of nowhere”, the words were sharply criticized from Tel Aviv.

“According to you, we will not issue visas to UN representatives”This was stated by Israel’s permanent representative to the organization Gilad Erdan, who confirmed that such a decision had already been made in the case of UN Deputy Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Martin Griffiths.

“We have already denied a visa to the UN Under-Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs. Martin Griffiths according to the radio station’s statements Army radio. “It’s time to teach them a lesson.”– emphasized Erdan, who on Tuesday demanded the resignation of Guterres.

Thus, Erdan stressed that there is no possible “justification” and it is impossible to show “understanding” for “the most terrible acts against the citizens of Israel,” taking into account that the attacks, which killed about 1,400 people and abducted more than 220, were committed by a “designated terrorist organization.”

Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen joined in the criticism. who asked Guterres: “What world do you live in?” and argued that Israel not only has a “right to defend itself,” but also a “duty” because it feels it is fighting a war in the name of the “free world.” He later announced that will not meet with Guterres in protest.

Guterres told the UN Security Council that The “horrific” attacks “didn’t come out of nowhere.” as “the Palestinian people have been subjected to 56 years of stifling occupation” in a context in which “their hopes of achieving a political solution are fading.”

Following this, and in the face of a wave of criticism from Israel, he posted a message on his social media account X, emphasizing that “Injustice against the Palestinian people cannot justify the horrific attacks by Hamas”although he insisted that “these horrific attacks cannot justify collective punishment against the Palestinian people.”

For its part, the Palestinian Foreign Ministry said that Israel’s criticism of Guterres They are a “continuation of disrespect” Israeli authorities before an international organization. He also pointed out that the position of the Israeli authorities is “unjustified” and “deliberate.”

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In this sense, he noted that This is “a new attempt by Israel to neutralize the role of the Secretary General.” its legal personality, as well as its position in relation to international law and the Charter of the United Nations,” emphasizing that its role and its representatives are “well known for their work to end open and destructive war of occupation.”

(according to information from Europe Press)