UN Secretary-General appears to sympathize with Hamas, says terror attacks 'did not happen in a vacuum'
By David Spector
Israeli officials are furious after UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres appeared to give credence Hamas' catastrophic surprise terrorist attack on their nation, which has resulted in over 1,400 deaths and 200 kidnappings -- including of elderly and children-- the burning and mutilation of babies, women's battered bodies being dragged through the streets, and over 5,000 wounded in their country.
“It is important to also recognize the attacks by Hamas did not happen in a vacuum,” Guterres said.
The UN Secretary-General went on to say “The Palestinian people have been subjected to 56 years of suffocating occupation, ” and that their land has been "devoured by settlements," The Times of Israel reports.
Guterres ended his remarks by saying "the grievances of the Palestinian people cannot justify the appalling attacks by Hamas," before saying that the terror group's "appalling" actions can not "justify the collective punishment of the Palestinian people.”
Guterres remarks were met with widespread outcry by Israeli officials.
Israeli envoy to the UN Gilad Erdan said the Secretary-General's "shocking... horrible," remarks "constitute a justification for terrorism and murder."
https://twitter.com/gantzbe/status/1716834560506220737Erdan went on to lambast the UN head saying he is " totally detached from the reality of our region.”
Foreign Minister Eli Cohen spoke out against the UN chief at a special Security Council session saying “Mr. Secretary General, in what world do you live?”
Cohen went on to play a recording of a Palestinian terrorist bragging of killing 10 Jews.
Cohen canceled a planned meeting with Guterres, and Israeli minister Benny Gantz said the UN head's comments constitute "dark times" and slammed him claiming he "condones terror."
This is a developing story