Antonio Guterres Warns Against Intimidation from Israel’s Threats of West Bank Annexation

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres emphasized on Friday that the world should not be “intimidated” by Israel’s incremental annexation of the occupied West Bank. In an interview at UN headquarters in New York, he called for more ambitious climate action, warning that efforts to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels are at risk of “collapsing.”

Guterres spoke ahead of the UN’s high-level week, during which ten countries are expected to recognize a Palestinian state, despite strong objections from Israel. This annual gathering, which brings together over 140 heads of state and government, will likely focus on the future of the Palestinians and the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

Israel has threatened to annex the West Bank if Western nations proceed with the recognition plan at the UN. Guterres stated, “We should not feel intimidated by the risk of retaliation.” He added that international pressure is crucial to prevent such actions: “With or without doing what we are doing, these actions would go on, and at least there is a chance to mobilize the international community to put pressure for them not to happen.”

Describing the situation in Gaza as “horrendous,” Guterres lamented the unprecedented levels of death and destruction resulting from Israel’s military campaign. “It is the worst level of death and destruction that I’ve seen during my time as Secretary-General, probably in my life,” he remarked. He highlighted the suffering of the Palestinian people, citing famine, a lack of effective healthcare, and inadequate shelter in densely populated areas.