In retaliation to critique, 'Israel' targets UN via employees' visas

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: News Websites
26 Dec 2023 19:40
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The UN has repeatedly expressed criticism of the ongoing Israeli aggression on Gaza, particularly concerning civilian casualties.

A UN volunteer at al-Maghazi Refugee Camp in the central Gaza Strip amid the Israeli genocide in Gaza on November 6. (AFP/Getty Images)

"Israel" announced on Monday its decision to block the visa application of one UN employee and withhold the visa extension of another.

The UN has repeatedly expressed criticism of the ongoing Israeli aggression on Gaza, particularly concerning civilian casualties. The recent decision by the Israeli government reflects a retaliation to the backlash from such criticism.

The Ministry of Health in Gaza revealed that the ongoing Israeli genocide has killed over 21,000 Palestinians and wounded over 54,036 others, 70% of whom are women and children.

Eli Cohen, "Israel's" Minister of Foreign Affairs, claimed in a post on X that the UN's actions since October 7 are a "shameful reflection" on the organization and the global community.

He further alleged that the organization has "legitimized war crimes ... ignored the acts of rape committed against Israeli women" and that "Israel will stop working with those who cooperate with the Hamas terrorist organization's propaganda."

It is noteworthy that the decisions to block visas lack substantiated evidence, especially in light of conflicting reports that suggest otherwise.

In short, there is no evidence to suggest that Hamas perpetrated sexual violence against Israeli captives. Numerous released Israeli captives have assured during their testimonies that Hamas fighters didn't even touch them based on religious and cultural doctrine.

“Women are sacred there, Women are treated like queens”

- Two released Israeli captives who were in custody of Hamas in Gaza.#Hamas #Palestine #Gaza #IsraelHamasWar pic.twitter.com/SEUpf1Doid
— Syed Umar (@syedumar584) December 24, 2023

“Women are sacred there, women are treated like queens,” one Israeli captive said after her release.

Not an isolated incident

Earlier this month, Israeli occupation authorities decided to revoke the "residence visa" of UN Humanitarian Coordinator Lynn Hastings in the occupied Palestinian territories, citing her failure to condemn the Palestinian Resistance movement Hamas for Operation Al-Aqsa Flood.

Due to remarks made by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres at the UN, "Israel" said, on October 25, it has denied a visa to UN Humanitarian Affairs Chief Martin Griffiths.

According to Israeli media, Gilad Erdan, "Israel's" ambassador to the UN, declared on Army Radio that "Israel" would no longer grant visas to UN representatives as a result of Guterres' comments. Martin Griffiths, the undersecretary-general for humanitarian affairs, has already had his visa denied. It is now necessary "to teach them a lesson," as per the Israeli occupation.

"Israel" has demanded the resignation of Guterres after highlighting Israeli crimes and "the clear violations of international humanitarian law that we are witnessing in Gaza," stating that the Resistance's operation on October 7 cannot justify the "collective punishment of the Palestinian people."

At the time, Guterres said, "Nothing can justify the deliberate killing, injuring, and kidnapping of civilians – or the launching of rockets against civilian targets. All hostages must be treated humanely and released immediately and without conditions."

"Protecting civilians does not mean ordering one million people to evacuate to the South, where there is no shelter, no food, no water, no medicine, and no fuel, and continue to bomb the South itself."

- #UN Secretary-General Antonio #Guterres speaks of Israeli war crimes in… pic.twitter.com/h2xOQLcFCn
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) October 25, 2023

The Israeli decision to revoke the residence visa of UN Humanitarian Coordinator Lynn Hastings was part of a broader pattern where "Israel" reacts strongly against individuals who condemn the genocide against Palestinians. In short, the move reflects Israeli anger and measures taken against anyone critical of its atrocities in the region.