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Recently, UN Secretary-General António Guterres has found himself in an unprecedented predicament. Recently, the United Nations was caught in "pigtails" by the United States and the West on suspicion of funding Hamas's attacks on Israel.
He not only has to face the doubts and pressure of European and American countries on the United Nations, but also has to deal with the "aggressiveness" of Israel's new *** minister, Islam El Katz. What's going on here?
Katz, who took office as Israel's chief in December 2023, is an Israeli right-wing politician who has served as secretary of transportation and intelligence, advocating for Israel's tough measures against Palestine, opposing a nuclear deal with Iran, and supporting Israeli air strikes on Syria and Iraq.
As soon as Katz took office, he issued an "ultimatum" to Guterres, demanding that he resign from the post of UN secretary general or face Israeli sanctions and boycotts.
Katz's reasoning is that during his tenure, Guterres did not pay enough attention to Israel's security and interests, did not take a tough enough stance on Palestinian terrorism and violence, was not vigilant enough about Iran's nuclear program and regional expansion, and did not pay enough attention to the humanitarian crisis in Syria.
Katz's remarks have aroused widespread concern and repercussions in the international community, with some people believing that this is Israel's provocation and threat to the United Nations, and others believing that it is an expression of Israel's dissatisfaction and distrust of Guterres.
The reason why Guterres has been blamed and attacked by Israel is related to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).
Founded in 1949 as a United Nations agency specializing in educational, medical, social and humanitarian assistance for Palestine refugees, it currently serves some 5 million Palestine refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Gaza and the West Bank.
However, this institution has also been controversial and questioned, especially by Israel, which believes that it has problems of corruption, waste, favoritism and infiltration, and is even suspected of colluding and cooperating with Palestinian militant groups such as Hamas.
In October 2022, Hamas launched a massive rocket attack on Israel, killing and injuring dozens of people, triggering a new round of conflict between Israel and Palestine. In Israel's counterattack against Hamas, some of the Agency's facilities and personnel were also affected.
In the course of its investigation into the attack, Israel claimed to have discovered that some UNRWA employees had been involved in the Hamas attack, and had even used the identity and resources of the United Nations to facilitate and cover Hamas.
The Israeli side submitted the evidence to the United Nations, which requested that it thoroughly investigate and deal with it. As soon as this news was announced, it immediately triggered a strong reaction from European and American countries.
These countries are the main funders of the Agency, accounting for nearly 80 per cent of the Agency's budget.
They have said that if the United Nations Works Agency does facilitate terrorism, then they will suspend or cancel the funding of the agency until the United Nations gives a reasonable explanation and measures to improve it.
This is undoubtedly a heavy blow to the United Nations Works Agency. The agency, which is already facing funding shortages and operational difficulties, will find it difficult to continue to provide essential services to Palestine refugees without the support of European and American countries.
And for the Palestine refugees living in Gaza and other areas, it also means more suffering and crisis.
Faced with such a situation, Guterres felt unprecedented pressure and predicament. Not only did he have to deal with Israeli threats and hostility, but he also had to try to persuade European and American countries to resume funding for the United Nations Works Agency, and at the same time, he also had to find out as soon as possible whether the United Nations Works Agency had really committed wrongdoing.
In this context, what Guterres needs is the understanding and support of the international community, especially the members of the UN Security Council. And in this regard, China and Russia have given Guterres a lot of help and encouragement.
As a founding member of the United Nations and a permanent member of the Security Council, China has always actively participated in and supported the work of the United Nations, especially in maintaining international peace and security.
Speaking on behalf of China at the Security Council, Zhang Jun, China's representative to the United Nations, affirmed and praised the work of the United Nations Works Agency, saying that this agency has made important contributions to improving the living conditions of Palestine refugees and promoting peace and stability in the Middle East.
Zhang Jun also expressed regret and concern about the decision of European and American countries to suspend funding, saying that this will not help solve the problem, but will exacerbate the crisis and have a greater impact on the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
He called on the international community, and in particular the members of the Security Council, to put the lives of the people of Gaza first and not to stop funding the United Nations Works Agency, while respecting and supporting the work of Secretary-General Guterres and giving him sufficient time and space to deal with the issue.
Russia is also a founding member of the United Nations and a permanent member of the Security Council, and has always played an important role in international affairs, especially in the Middle East, where Russia has close cooperation and ties with Iran, Syria, Turkey and other countries.
Russia has also affirmed and supported the work of the United Nations and the leadership of Guterres. Vasily Nebenzya, Permanent Representative of Russia to the United Nations, speaking on behalf of Russia in the Security Council.
He expressed doubts and dissatisfaction with the decision of the European and American countries to suspend the appropriation of funds, saying that it is irresponsible and unfair, that it interferes with and undermines the United Nations, and that it ignores and harms the Palestine refugees.
Nebenzia pointed out that the United Nations Works Agency (UNRWA) is an agency authorized and supervised by the United Nations General Assembly, that its work is based on the Charter and resolutions of the United Nations, and that its funding** is voluntarily contributed by various countries, and is not unilaterally decided by European and American countries.
In his view, European and American countries have no right or reason to completely deny the work of the United Nations Works Agency because of the actions of a few individuals, and still less have the right or reason to deprive the Palestine refugees of their basic rights because of their own political interests.
China and Russia have spoken out for the United Nations and Guterres at the Security Council, which has won wide praise and support from the international community, and has also given Guterres great encouragement and confidence.
At the Security Council, Guterres thanked China and Russia for their understanding and support, and said that he will continue to maintain dialogue and communication with all parties, ascertain the facts as soon as possible, take measures to solve the problem, restore trust and safeguard interests.