For the first time in the history of the UN, a secretary general addresses a gathering of Jewish leaders.

It happens about a month after Israel announced a $2 million cut in its contribution to the UN budget because of constant criticism by the UN Human Rights Council of its policies towards the Palestinians. 

The message that sends is up to each individual to read.

 

Ostensibly, Antonio Guterres addressed the World Jewish Congress in New York last Sunday to reassure the gathering that he would stand up against any perception of anti-Israel bias at the world organisation.

Proof of that was already had when he asked Rima Khalaf, last month, to withdraw a report in which she accused Israel of being an “apartheid state”. She subsequently resigned, showing more principled position than all the UN officials pandering to Israel.

 

What prompted Guterres to address the New York gathering, it seems, is US pressure amid a deepening row over alleged bias within the UN.

 

So the UN chief decided to make order in the house by “guaranteeing” that those working under him would abide by principles that he considers right.

 

What about principles that most of the world considers right and puts them into laws and resolutions voted upon at the UN itself?

 

“I consider that the state of Israel needs to be treated as any other state,” said Guterres.

Correct. But does Israel behave like any other state?

 

Rather, is there any other state that keeps a people under occupation in barely human conditions, except for Israel?

 

“I have already had the opportunity to show that I’m ready to abide by that principle even when that forces me to take some decisions that create some uncomfortable situations,” he said, reminding the gathering that he was instrumental in all the brouhaha surrounding the Khalaf-sanctioned report.

But then, maybe the secretary general, who vowed to be at the forefront of the fight against anti-Semitism, could also give some guidelines on how it is not “biased” to comment about the Israeli policy vis-à-vis Palestinians.

 

How can one go about talking about Israel’s occupation and subjugation of the Palestinians? 

What “fair” words can be uttered to address the Israeli occupation of Palestinian land and its continued settlement activities for the past five decades?

 

What “fair” words can be used to stop Israel’s continued denial of the Palestinia

True, the UN head admitted that he cannot give Israel carte blanche in everything, saying “that does not mean that I will always be in agreement with all the decisions that are taken at any moment by any government that exists in Israel”, but all decisions Israel is taking regarding Palestine and Palestinians flout international law and UN resolutions.

 

UN member states do not issue resolutions against Israel just because. There are grave issues that make many stand up to serious pressure and vote to censure Israel, whether that is to the liking of the secretary general or not.

 

Guterres could have used the occasion to counsel Israel and its supporters to give peace with the Palestinians a chance. 

By achieving that, Israel will indeed be “guaranteed” that it is “treated like any other state”.