Guterres warns of possibility of 'ethnic cleansing' in West Bank

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres warned on Tuesday that violence and settlement expansion in the Israeli-occupied West Bank could lead to ethnic cleansing and jeopardize the prospects for a two-state solution. Addressing world leaders at the UN General Assembly in New York, Guterres stated that the conflict is "bulldozing the path to peace" and called on leaders to take action to de-escalate conflicts across the Middle East.

He emphasized the need for ceasefires to be more than just "lesser fires" and urged the cessation of fighting, the restoration of humanitarian aid, and the lifting of navigational rights and freedoms in accordance with international law. Turning to Gaza, Guterres characterized Israel's military campaign following the 2023 Hamas-led attacks as an "onslaught on Palestinians," with a level of killing and destruction unlike anything he had witnessed during his tenure as UN chief.

He noted that the turmoil in the wider Middle East should not divert attention from the humanitarian situation in the occupied Palestinian territories. Guterres also highlighted the work of the International Court of Justice, which has issued measures ordering Israel to prevent acts that could be considered genocide in Gaza. Israel has denied allegations of genocide, but Guterres stressed that all parties must comply with international law and the court's orders.

He called for the UN to be granted access to Gaza and for the protection of its staff and other humanitarian workers. In his final address before stepping down from his post, Guterres also called for a world built on interdependence and urged world leaders not to abandon cooperation and shared decision-making in the face of global challenges and rising power competition.

Regarding climate change, Guterres criticized major global oil companies for treating the atmosphere like an "open sewer." He highlighted that major oil companies have profited from the consequences of fossil fuel extraction, while everyday people are facing higher energy, food, and insurance costs. Guterres compared the profits of these companies to the $34 billion in financing mobilized for developing countries to adapt to a warming world.