UNITED NATIONS: The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) group at the United Nations Thursday lashed out at the “disrespectful and intimidating” remarks recently made by top Israeli diplomats against UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, saying the 57-member body has “full confidence” in his leadership.

Israel’s UN Ambassador Gilad Erdan Tuesday accused the UN chief of “justifying terrorism” in his statement at Tuesday’s Security Council meeting on Gaza, and called for his immediate resignation. Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen endorsed his envoy’s remarks.

Guterres had said that although nothing could justify the “appalling” attacks by Hamas of 7 October which triggered the siege and bombardment of Gaza, it was important to recognize they “did not happen in a vacuum” and did not justify the collective punishment of Palestinians.

On Wednesday, the secretary-general rejected “misrepresentations” of his statement, saying he was shocked by Israeli diplomats’ “false” claims.

In a statement, initiated by Pakistan, the OIC group termed the Israeli remarks as an “act of political coercion against the UN and its Secretary-General.”

It expressed appreciation for the Secretary-General and the role of United Nations agencies in drawing the attention of the international community towards the “criminal Israeli attacks” on civilians by the Israeli occupation forces, and for providing humanitarian supplies to Gaza’s besieged people.

The Secretary General’s remarks, the statement said, were consistent with his duties and responsibilities under international law, international humanitarian law, and the Charter and resolutions of the United Nations. “

“We express our full confidence in the Secretary-General and reaffirm our support for his efforts to promote peace and security and uphold the UN Charter,” the statement added.

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