Over 1,300 people were killed in the latest Hamas attack
In 2018, former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley issued a warning to the UN Security Council about the terrorist threat posed by Iran-backed Hamas to Israel. She made efforts to formally designate Hamas a terrorist organization in the Security Council and General Assembly. However, these initiatives have met with rejection and resistance from other member states.
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At the time the U.S. was at the U.N. Haley, who served as ambassador, emphasized that Hamas had been inciting violence for a considerable period of time, even before the US decision to move its embassy to Jerusalem in 2018.
Haley expressed concern about reports in the media that revealed Hamas’ intentions to attack Israel if the rioters managed to breach security barriers.
Nikki Haley briefed the council on various reports indicating that Hamas has created maps and used social media to guide demonstrators toward quick routes to Israeli communities if they can breach the security fence. She also highlighted Hamas’ use of loudspeakers where they urged demonstrators to breach the fence, falsely claiming that Israeli soldiers were retreating, which was not the case.
Haley mentioned specific incidents such as attaching Molotov cocktails to kites and flying them into Israeli territory, as well as attacks on key border crossing points. She strongly rejected calls from some council members for Israel to exercise additional restraint, which has continued to be reiterated in recent times following terrorist acts by Hamas.
Haley concluded by questioning the council, “I ask my colleagues on the Security Council, who among us would accept this kind of activity on your border? No one would. No country in this chamber has acted with more restraint than Israel. Indeed, the record of many countries here today is that they have shown much less restraint.” indicates that there will be.”
Last week, Israel suffered a devastating terrorist attack that resulted in the tragic loss of 1,300 Israeli lives. In response, Israel launched retaliatory measures that prompted calls for restraint from U.N. officials.
It is worth noting that, unlike groups like ISIS and Al Qaeda, Hamas is not officially designated as a terrorist group by the United Nations Security Council.
In June 2018, Nikki Haley, now a candidate for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, introduced a resolution in the Security Council aimed at designating Hamas as a terrorist organization. Only the United States voted in favor, while others abstained or voted against the resolution. Iran’s backer Russia has veto power in the council. To date, the Security Council has not recognized Hamas or designated it as a terrorist group.
That same year, Nikki Haley continued her efforts by advocating for a vote in the General Assembly to condemn Hamas and its rocket attacks on Israel. She prevailed, and the vote was held. The amendment was passed by a narrow majority. However, it later failed on procedural grounds when the President changed the rules to require a two-thirds majority.
Critics of the United Nations, including Haley, accused the organization of exhibiting an anti-Israel bias in its General Assembly and Security Council, as well as in its various agencies. During the Trump administration, the United States withdrew or reduced its funding from several agencies, concerned about anti-Israel bias.
This week, the UN’s top human rights official called on both the Israel Defense Forces and Hamas to “respect international humanitarian law” and work to ease tensions. He also expressed concern about Israel’s “total siege” of Gaza.
“They must immediately stop attacks targeting civilians and stop actions that cause excessive harm or loss of life among civilians or damage to civilian structures,” Turk stressed.
Israeli Ambassador Gilad Erdan expressed his displeasure with the U.N.’s handling of the crisis. “The U.N.’s response to Israel’s early warning to the residents of Gaza is deeply disappointing,” he stressed. He accused the U.N. of disarming Hamas and its exploitation of the civilian population and infrastructure in Gaza as a cover for its weapons and violent activities.
Erdoğan suggested the U.N. should focus on efforts to free hostages, condemn Hamas, and support Israel’s right to defend itself rather than offering criticism.