SWC Decries UN Secretary General Gutteres’ Condemnation of Israel’s “excessive force” Against Palestinian Terrorists

July 7, 2023

The Simon Wiesenthal Center decried UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ assertion that Israel deployed “excessive force” to root out the terrorist infrastructure in Jenin last week.

“There was an excessive force used by Israeli forces,” Guterres told reportersduring a press briefing at UN Headquarters in New York City. Israel has “legitimate concerns over its security,” he said, adding: “But escalation is not the answer. It simply bolsters radicalization and leads to a deepening cycle of violence and bloodshed.” 

“Restoring the hope of the Palestinian people in a meaningful political process, leading to a two-State solution and the end of the occupation, is an essential contribution by Israel to its own security,” Guterres added.

“Excessive force? Really? What would Portugal or Belgium or UK do? All 12 Palestinians killed in Jenin were armed terrorists. IEDs hidden under Mosque. Jews in neighboring communities shot, rammed, and stabbed to death.”

“There‘s a role for Secretary-General, UNWRA, UNHCRC, UNICEF: Stop the double standard; stop demonizing Israel; stop giving a moral blank check to Palestinians to kill Jews; stop PA pay to slay Jews; stop weaponizing Palestinian youth, stop the brainwashing of Palestinian children; make UNWRA schools acknowledge the legitimacy of their Israeli neighbors. Stop rewarding terrorism and start investing in real peace and reconciliation,” declared Rabbi Abraham Cooper, Associate Dean and Director of Global Social Action, adding “because right now there is no viable Palestinian partner for negotiations that could lead to a peaceful two-state solution.”

For further information, please email Michele Alkin, Director of Global Communications at malkin@wiesenthal.com or Shawn Rodgers at srodgers@wiesenthal.com, join the Center on Facebook, or follow @simonwiesenthal for news updates sent directly to your Twitter feed.

The Simon Wiesenthal Center is an international Jewish human rights organization numbering over 400.000 members. It holds consultative status at the United Nations, UNESCO, the OSCE, the Council of Europe, the OAS, and the Latin American Parliament (PARLATINO).