We should not fear Israel, says Guterres

UNITED Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Friday that the world should not be “intimidated” by Israel and its creeping annexation of the occupied West Bank.

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In an interview at UN headquarters in New York, he also called for more ambitious climate action saying that efforts to limit global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels were at risk of “collapsing”.

Guterres spoke to AFP ahead of the UN’s signature high-level week at which 10 countries will recognise a Palestinian state, according to France — over fierce Israeli objections.

The meeting of more than 140 heads of state and government, which paralyses a corner of Manhattan for a week each year, will likely be dominated by the future of the Palestinians and the war in Gaza.

Israel has reportedly threatened to annex the West Bank if Western nations press ahead with the recognition plan at the UN gathering.