Following the United Nations' condemnation of Israel's counterterrorism operation in Jenin, Israeli Ambassador to the UN, Gilad Erdan, sharply criticized UN Secretary-General António Guterres' remarks, calling them "shameful, farfetched, and completely detached from reality." Erdan emphasized that the operation solely targeted Palestinian terrorist infrastructure threatening Israeli civilians. He questioned Guterres' repeated failure to acknowledge the Palestinian origin of the terrorism and defended Israel's actions as essential for protecting its citizens.
Simultaneously, Erdan and New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu applauded Sununu's executive order prohibiting state business with companies supporting the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement against Israel. This makes New Hampshire the 37th state to enact anti-BDS legislation. Sununu's action comes after a Fox News Digital report highlighted the UN Commission of Inquiry's (COI) criticism of US states for passing similar anti-BDS laws.
Defense Minister Yoav Gallant (left) and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at a cabinet meeting. (Israel Prime Minister's Office)
New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu signs an anti-BDS executive order.
Guterres expressed concern over the Jenin operation, describing it as the worst violence in the West Bank in years and criticizing Israel's use of "excessive force." He highlighted the impact on civilians, including injuries, displacement, and damage to infrastructure.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres speaking at a UN Security Council meeting. (UNTV via AP)
Funeral procession for Palestinians killed during the Israeli operation in Jenin. (Photo by JAAFAR ASHTIYEH/AFP via Getty Images)
A federal appeals court ruling favors anti-BDS advocates. (AP Photo/Craig Ruttle)
Israeli UN Ambassador Gilad Erdan addresses the UN. (Israeli Mission to the U.N.)
Erdan countered Guterres' claims, asserting that civilian infrastructure was damaged only because Palestinian terrorists used it for cover and as weapons caches. He accused Guterres of relying on Palestinian misinformation and urged him to retract his statement and condemn Palestinian terrorism. Erdan reiterated Israel's resolve to defend its citizens against terrorism. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas called for international sanctions against Israel and condemnation of the operation. The UN Security Council is scheduled to discuss the raid.
