UN chief says world should not be intimidated by Israel

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United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has told AFP that the world should not be “intimidated” by Israel and its creeping annexation of the occupied West Bank.

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.

Israel has reportedly threatened to annex the West Bank if Western nations press ahead with the recognition plan at the UN gathering. But Guterres said, “We should not feel intimidated by the risk of retaliation.”

“With or without doing what we are doing, these actions would go on and at least there is a chance to mobilise international community to put pressure for them not to happen,” he said.

 UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres speaks during an AFP interview ahead of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 80) at UN headquarters in New York on September 19, 2025. — AFP
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres speaks during an AFP interview ahead of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 80) at UN headquarters in New York on September 19, 2025. — AFP

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