US Secretary of State Antony Blinken Urges UN Security Council to Denounce Terrorism Worldwide

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken addressed the UN Security Council during a ministerial meeting on the situation in the Middle East, drawing attention to the recent terrorist attack by Hamas militants in Israel and calling for a unified stance against all acts of terrorism. In his speech, Blinken emphasized that terrorism, in any form or location, is “unlawful and unjustifiable” and should be unequivocally condemned.
The recent terrorist attack on Israel by Gaza-based Hamas militants on October 7 triggered this discussion. In response, Blinken emphasized the importance of nations’ rights to defend themselves against such violent acts, underlining that no nation or member of the Security Council would tolerate the mass killing of its citizens.
Antony Blinken comments on terrorism
In a powerful statement, Blinken drew a parallel between the terrorist attacks by Hamas and other global terrorist organizations. He stated, “As this Council and the UN General Assembly have repeatedly affirmed, all acts of terrorism are unlawful and unjustifiable. They’re unlawful and unjustifiable, whether they target people in Nairobi or Bali, Istanbul or Mumbai, in New York or Kibbutz Be’eri.” This comparison highlighted the global nature of the problem and the need for a united front against terrorism.
He explicitly named various terrorist organizations, such as ISIS, Boko Haram, Al-Shabaab, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Hamas, reiterating that terrorism cannot be justified, regardless of the group’s motivations or targets. Blinken’s statement resonated with the Security Council’s previous resolutions, emphasizing the need to condemn all forms of terrorism consistently.
Furthermore, Blinken stressed the Security Council’s responsibility to denounce member states that arm, fund, and train terrorist groups such as Hamas. This assertion appeared to reference the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, perpetrated by the Pakistan-based terrorist organization Lashkar-e-Taiba, which resulted in the death of 166 individuals, including six Americans. It was a stark reminder of the global ramifications of such acts of terrorism.
Blinken also emphasized that the international community should not forget that the victims of the Hamas attack on October 7 included citizens from more than 30 UN member states, including at least 33 Americans. This highlighted the collective responsibility of the international community to combat terrorism and protect innocent lives.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also addressed the Council, acknowledging the dire situation in the Middle East, with the war in Gaza posing a significant risk of escalation. He acknowledged the broader context in which the Hamas attacks occurred, underlining the Palestinian people’s long-standing grievances as a result of decades of occupation, displacement, and economic challenges.
While recognizing the root causes of the conflict, Guterres was unequivocal in his condemnation of the attacks by Hamas, stating, “The grievances of the Palestinian people cannot justify the appalling attacks by Hamas. And those appalling attacks cannot justify the collective punishment of the Palestinian people.”
In conclusion, the statements by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres reflect the global community’s shared concern about terrorism and its devastating consequences. These remarks underscore the importance of a united front against terrorism and the need to address the root causes of conflicts while holding terrorist organizations accountable for their actions.
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