"The United Nations is a politicized and corrupt organization that has abandoned its founding principles and systematically targets Israel as its primary mission". The quote was issued by the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) and echoed by its diplomatic missions, including the Embassy of Israel in Lisbon.
The statement was made in direct response to the UN adding Israeli entities to a "blacklist" in an annual report on conflict-related sexual violence. Following this, the Israeli government announced it was completely severing ties with the office of UN Secretary-General António Guterres.
This development is part of an ongoing, broader diplomatic dispute between Israel and various UN agencies. The Israeli government has also recently restricted the activities of UNRWA and has previously withdrawn from UN Women citing similar concerns about bias and double standards
According to the Israeli embassy in Portugal, "The person behind this farce is António Guterres. This is the same Guterres who tried to 'contextualize' the October 7 massacre, who covered up the involvement of UN officials in these atrocities, and who brought the UN to its lowest point. Guterres is now exploiting his last months as Secretary-General to fabricate unfounded accusations against Israel, completely devoid of any factual basis."
"Given that Guterres chose to violate all standards of honesty, integrity, and professionalism, Israel has decided to sever all ties with the Office of the Secretary-General and will await the appointment of a new UN Secretary-General", Minister Sa'as and the Israeli embassy in Portugal stated.
