NEW YORK, September 20, 2025 (WAFA) – United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres said on Friday that the international community must not allow itself to be “intimidated” by Israel as it continues its war on Gaza and accelerates the de facto annexation of the occupied West Bank.

In an interview with AFP ahead of next week’s high-level UN General Assembly meetings in New York, Guterres responded to reports that Israel has threatened to formally annex parts of the West Bank if more countries move to recognize a Palestinian state.

“We should not feel intimidated by the risk of retaliation,” Guterres said. “Because with or without doing what we are doing, these actions would go on — and at least there is a chance to mobilize the international community to put pressure for them not to happen.”

His remarks come amid growing international momentum toward recognizing Palestinian statehood, as well as mounting criticism of Israel’s ongoing devastating war on Gaza, which has left tens of thousands killed, wounded, starved and displaced.

Several European and other countries have signaled they may push forward with diplomatic recognition of the State of Palestine during the upcoming UN meetings, despite Israeli opposition.

Guterres has repeatedly called for a ceasefire in Gaza and for renewed efforts to implement a two-state solution based on international law and existing UN resolutions. He has also condemned the expansion of Israeli settlements and other unilateral actions in the occupied territories, warning they jeopardize the prospects for peace.

M.N