Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar stated that UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is responsible for what happened with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) and its involvement in the October 7 massacre during a press conference on Monday.
He knew what was happening at UNRWA and engaged in whitewashing, and continues to do so, Sa'ar alleged.
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"Israel will not take part in this circus. It is the UN and UNRWA that should be on trial today. The UN has become a rotten, anti-Israel and antisemitic body," he added.
"At this very moment, the International Court of Justice is beginning deliberations in another shameful proceeding against Israel," he said, referring to the ICJ's hearing on the Gaza Strip.
Given that UNRWA is "an organization infiltrated beyond repair by terrorism, Israel decided not to take part in this circus."
"It is another attempt to politicize and abuse the legal process to persecute Israel. The goal is to deprive Israel of its most basic right to defend itself," he commented.
"UNRWA employed over 1,400 known terrorists. Many of them took an active part in the October 7th atrocities," Sa'ar told the assembled media.
Sa'ar gave an example of Muhammad Abu Attawi, who was "caught on video participating in the murder and kidnapping of Israelis near Kibbutz Reim, including Hirsh Goldberg-Polin."
Last week the Trump administration took "a clear stance" and "clarified that UNRWA and its staff cannot hide behind UN immunity," Sa'ar stated, adding that "we fully endorse this determination. They must be held accountable for their crimes."
"The UN was created to make the world a better, safer, and more peaceful place. But it has betrayed its original, noble purpose. Instead of contributing to global order and stability, it undermines it. Instead of promoting peace and justice, time and again it does the opposite," Sa'ar accused.
"This case is part of a systematic persecution and delegitimization of Israel. It is abusing the international legal system and politicizes it. No country — democracy or non-democracy — has been brought before the court as much, and as often, as Israel. No country is subject to such double standards," Sa'ar stated.
"Israel is a democratic country with a strong commitment to the rule of law, including international law. It has an independent judiciary and a robust military justice system. Its attorney-general is a participant in security cabinet meetings. Yet this is the fourth proceeding relating to Israel in the court since the October 7th massacre!" he continued.
'Spreading a blood libel against Israel'
"First, they used the court to spread the blood libel against Israel, that Israel is committing genocide. Second, they used the court to try to prevent Israel from obtaining the arms it needs to defend itself. Third, they tried to deny Israel’s historic right to its ancient land. They tried to determine that what they call an “occupation” in our homeland is illegal. And now, they are abusing the court, once again, to try and force Israel to cooperate with an organization that is infested with Hamas terrorists. And it won’t happen," he asserted.
"On top of that, add the ICC’s outrageous arrest warrants against Israel’s democratically elected prime minister and former defense minister," Sa'ar accused.
"When Israel’s matters are brought to “international courts,” there is no connection to law and justice. It is completely politicized — even when the truth is on Israel’s side," he alleged.
"When this proceeding was initiated, the current Prime Minister of Lebanon, Nawaf Salam, served as president of this Court. While “neutrally” judging in a case against Israel, just moments before casting off his judicial robes, he called Israel an enemy state. This is the person meant to administer a fair and just trial. You can’t make this stuff up! Shouldn’t a judge with a bias recuse himself?" Sa'ar asked.
"I accuse UNRWA. I accuse the UN. I accuse the secretary-general. And I accuse all those who weaponize international law and its institutions in order to deprive the most attacked country in the world — Israel — of its most basic right to defend itself. We will not let the truth go untold. The world must hear and know the real story," Sa'ar concluded.
During the press conference, Foreign Ministry deputy director-general for the UN and international organizations division, Ambassador Amir Weissbrod, also spoke, presenting additional visual evidence of ties between UNRWA and Hamas terrorists.