UN Chief Accuses Israel of 'Creeping Annexation' and 'Ethnic Cleansing'
UN Secretary-General António Guterres has sharply criticized Israel, demanding an end to what he termed the "creeping annexation" of Judea and Samaria (the West Bank) and stating that peace in the Middle East is impossible without a Palestinian state. In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on September 17, 2026, Guterres also highlighted the "dramatic suffering" of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank, calling for the full implementation of a peace plan for Gaza with unrestricted humanitarian aid.
Speaking at a press conference on September 16, ahead of the high-level week of the 81st UN General Assembly session, Guterres expanded his criticisms. He expressed the UN's "extreme concern" over the situation in Gaza and the West Bank, noting that Israel "obviously does not accept the implementation of the peace plan as it is currently conceived." He cited ongoing Israeli strikes in Gaza as a serious threat to civilians.
Guterres intensified his remarks regarding the West Bank, linking the "creeping annexation" to settler violence, which he alleged sometimes occurs with the support of Israeli security forces. He described these actions as "absolutely unacceptable." Furthermore, he condemned Israeli construction plans that he believes could divide Palestinian territory, stating they violate international law and threaten Middle East peace.
Escalating his rhetoric, Guterres declared, "It is time to stop this creeping annexation. It is time to end any actions that could lead to ethnic cleansing." He stressed the need to create conditions for serious discussion of a two-state solution.
The Palestinian issue is expected to be a significant topic at the UN General Assembly. However, Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas and his delegation were denied U.S. visas for the second consecutive year. The U.S. State Department cited Abbas's attempts to bypass negotiations with Israel through international bodies, pursue unilateral state recognition, and continue payments to and glorification of terrorists as reasons for the visa denial, meaning Abbas will observe the discussions remotely.
