UN Chief: States Must Not Abandon Palestine Recognition Despite Israeli Intimidation

(MENAFN- Khaama Press) UN Secretary-General António Guterres urged states to continue recognising Palestine despite Israeli threats of West Bank annexation, warning against intimidation and denouncing Gaza's horrific civilian toll.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres has called on countries to continue recognising Palestine despite Israeli threats to annex parts of the occupied West Bank.

Speaking to Agence France-Presse on Friday, September 19, Guterres said Israel seemed determined to proceed with annexation regardless of international pressure. He stressed that recognition of Palestine should not be derailed.

According to reports, Israel has warned that if Western governments push ahead with recognition of Palestine, it will respond by formally annexing additional sections of the West Bank.

“We must not be intimidated by the fear of retaliation,” Guterres declared. He also condemned the scale of Israel's military campaign in Gaza, describing the situation as“horrific.”

The UN chief highlighted that the war in Gaza has produced the highest civilian death toll of his tenure, underscoring the conflict's devastating humanitarian impact.

Despite mounting concerns, the United States, Israel's strongest ally, has refrained from publicly criticising either the Gaza campaign or the annexation threat, while faulting countries preparing to recognise Palestine.

At least ten nations have already extended formal recognition to Palestine, with more expected to follow as international calls for accountability and balanced diplomacy grow louder.

The issue reflects not only the urgency of Palestinian statehood but also the widening divide between Washington and other governments determined to chart a more independent course in Middle East diplomacy.

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