United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres is being condemned for how his response to the massive missile attack on Israel by Iran. The barrage, the largest in history, forced almost all of Israel’s 9 million citizens to seek shelter. However, he “didn’t call out Iran by name or even specifically mention the rocket attack,” the news outlet reports.
In a post on X, Guterres wrote: “I condemn the broadening of the Middle East conflict with escalation after escalation. This must stop. We absolutely need a ceasefire.”
In response, Naftali Bennett, the former prime minister of Israel, posted on X: “You’ve gotta be kidding. You condemn ‘the broadening’?! You just aren’t able to blurt the simple words, ‘I condemn the Islamic Republic of Iran who just shot roughly 180 deadly ballistic missiles toward the citizens of Israel.’ Quit.”
Guterres did, JNS.org reports, almost one year after the Hamas taking of over 230 hostages, condemn the terrorist group for actions in Gaza. “I’d like to condemn the fact that the Red Cross is not even allowed to visit those hostages,” he said. “This is something clear in international humanitarian law.”
Israel has been calling for 11 months for the world assembly to ensure the Red Cross has access. It is believed that just 40 of the remaining 110 hostages remain alive.
On Thursday, Israel barred Guterres from entering the country.