UN Secretary-General António Guterres posted another tweet overnight (Tuesday-Wednesday) that angered Israel, condemning Israeli airstrikes in Gaza. His tweet referenced the collapse of the ceasefire and called for the release of hostages and the resumption of humanitarian aid. However, Israeli officials were quick to respond with sharp criticism. Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson, Oren Marmorstein attacked Guterres for his complete disregard of Hamas’ crimes and its exploitation of UN institutions.
Anger on Both Sides
The remarks by Guterres, who criticized Israeli strikes in Gaza following the collapse of the ceasefire, triggered a harsh response from Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In his tweet, Guterres stated that he was “outraged” by Israeli airstrikes and called for the release of the remaining hostages and the restoration of humanitarian aid.
I am outraged by the Israeli airstrikes in Gaza.
I strongly appeal for the ceasefire to be respected, for unimpeded humanitarian assistance to be reestablished and for the remaining hostages to be released unconditionally.
— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) March 18, 2025
In response, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Oren Marmorstein wrote that Israel is “outraged that you are the Secretary-General of the UN,” adding that Guterres failed to acknowledge Hamas’ responsibility for rejecting American proposals to extend the ceasefire and instead using the time to rebuild its war machine.
Marmorstein continued his attack on Guterres for failing to address UNRWA’s role under his leadership, pointing out that the agency’s facilities were used by Hamas to hold hostages and that UNRWA even employed terrorists in official positions. “Indeed, we are outraged by your moral bankruptcy,” Marmorstein wrote.
We are outraged that you @antonioguterres are the Secretary-General of the UN.
Not a word about the fact that Hamas rejected two American proposals to extend the ceasefire and release more hostages—two proposals that Israel accepted.
Not a word about the fact that Hamas… pic.twitter.com/Y2i1K6fzFN
— Oren Marmorstein (@OrenMarmorstein) March 18, 2025
Not the First Time Guterres Has Made Controversial Statements
This is not the first tweet from Guterres that has caused a stir. At the start of the war, he infuriated Israel by stating that Hamas’ massacre “did not happen in a vacuum” and that Gaza was “becoming a graveyard for children.” Prior to that, Guterres refused to include Hamas on a list of international entities suspected of sexual violence in conflicts but later decided to place Israel on the UN’s “blacklist” alongside terrorist organizations like ISIS and Al-Qaeda.
The attacks on Guterres also extended to former Israeli Ambassador to the UN Gilad Erdan, who strongly criticized the Secretary-General, saying, “The one who belongs on the blacklist is the UN Secretary-General, who encourages terror and acts out of hatred for Israel.” Erdan added that Guterres’ decisions “give hope to terrorists and encourage them to use children as tools for terror.”
Following the Iranian attack on Israel last October, in which 181 ballistic missiles were launched at Israel, Guterres issued a “condemnation” without mentioning Iran by name, further enraging Israeli officials. Then-Foreign Minister Israel Katz declared Guterres a persona non grata in Israel, banning him from entering the country. “Anyone who cannot unequivocally condemn Iran’s despicable attack on Israel does not deserve to set foot on Israeli soil,” Katz stated.
