The Guardian view on Israel v the UN: the making of an outlaw state | Editorial

Banning the United Nations Relief and Works Agency with no replacement will only cripple aid to Palestinians in their hour of need. It is a deeply irresponsible move by Israeli lawmakers

Israel’s rightwing government is recklessly steering the nation toward rogue-state status, with deeply troubling, escalating attacks on the United Nations that fuel a dangerous drift from international accountability. From its prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, down, it exhibits a brazen contempt for the global norms that govern human rights, conflict and diplomacy.

Hamas’s murderous attack last year in Israel, which left 1,200 people dead, ignited the current crisis. However, Israel’s response has been wildly disproportionate. Schools, hospitals and shelters have been struck, resulting in thousands of civilian deaths. In the year since the Gaza war began, the evidence supporting genocide claims against Israel has grown, with the UN human rights chief, Volker Türk, last week condemning Israel’s military for “effectively subjecting an entire population [in north Gaza] to bombing, siege and risk of starvation”. Israel has killed UN staff in Gaza and attacked UN bases in Lebanon. Israeli officials too often accuse the UN of antisemitism. The UN secretary general was barred from Israel for failing to “fully condemn” a missile strike by Iran on Israel this month.

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The Guardian view on Israel v the UN: the making of an outlaw state | Editorial

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