“We decided not to cooperate with this circus,” Sa’ar declared
“It is not Israel that should be on trial but the UN and UNRWA, which has been infiltrated by terrorists.” He accused the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, which coordinates much of Gaza’s humanitarian aid, of employing over 1,400 known terrorists, including Mohammed Abu Itiwi, a Hamas commander who participated in the October 7 massacre. “Abu Itiwi was caught on video participating in the murder and kidnapping of Israelis near Kibbutz Re’im,” Sa’ar said.
Sa’ar also denounced UN Secretary-General António Guterres, claiming he had failed to act despite repeated Israeli warnings about UNRWA’s ties to terrorism.
“He knew what was happening at UNRWA before and after October 7, yet he did nothing to prevent the atrocities,” Sa’ar said. “He continues to whitewash the crimes of UNRWA and its terrorist employees,” Sa’ar said.
The ICJ hearings focus on Israel’s obligations to facilitate humanitarian aid for Palestinians in Gaza, following a UN General Assembly request. However, Sa’ar argued that this was the latest in a series of biased actions by the UN and its institutions against Israel, labeling the UN as “rotten, anti-Israel, and anti-Semitic.” He accused the international body of systematically undermining Israel’s right to defend itself, pointing to previous ICJ rulings that targeted Israel’s actions following the October 7 Hamas attack.
“This is the fourth proceeding against Israel in the court since the October 7 massacre,” Sa’ar noted, recounting earlier cases aimed at criminalizing Israeli actions. “First, they spread blood libels accusing Israel of genocide. Then, they attempted to block Israel’s right to acquire arms for self-defense, followed by a ruling against Israel’s historic claim to its land. And now, they want to force us to cooperate with an organization infiltrated by terrorists.”
Sa’ar also highlighted the potential bias in the tribunal, referencing Nawaf Salam, the Lebanese prime minister and former ICJ president, who had previously called Israel an “enemy state.” He questioned the fairness of a judge with such prejudices, asking, “Shouldn’t a biased judge disqualify himself?”
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