Former German Foreign Minister ‘Sets Record Straight on Gaza,’ Assumes UNGA80 Presidency
Ahead of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly, former German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock will assume the presidency. Previously criticized for remarks on civilian casualties and Israel’s right to self-defense, Baerbock now seeks to ‘set the record straight’—underscoring her commitment to international humanitarian law and the importance of UNGA80 in restoring the UN’s credibility.
United Nations
Sphinx News
Ahead of her assumption of the presidency of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly, former German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock addressed past remarks regarding “Israel’s right to defend itself.”
On October 14, 2024, Baerbock defended Israel’s actions, stating that “Hamas terrorists were hiding behind civilians in schools, hospitals, and other civilian areas.” She argued that such conduct by Hamas militants creates circumstances where “civilian places can also lose their protected status because terrorists abuse it.”
Former UN human rights officials, most notably Craig Mokhiber, a human rights lawyer, condemned this rhetoric. He argued that the justification for civilian casualties in the name of “destroying terrorists,” often invoked by Western governments, “is not justified by claims under international law.”
When pressed again on her remarks, Baerbock clarified: “Civilian infrastructure must always be protected. I have been crystal clear about this in former speeches,” adding that the “misuse of social media totally changed the course” and intent of her comments. She reiterated that, alongside the protection of civilians and infrastructure, the conflict requires “an immediate ceasefire,” and called on Hamas to lay down its weapons.
Baerbock also underscored the significance of the upcoming 80th General Assembly. “In the 80 years since the creation of the United Nations and the UN Charter, the world has changed a lot. It is time to reflect and rebuild—to show eight billion people why this organization still matters, and to respond to desperate calls for peace in Gaza, Sudan, Ukraine, and Haiti.” She added that the session must also “address collective challenges like climate change, inequality, and rapid technological advancements.”
In urging member states to fulfill their commitments to cooperation and collective action, Baerbock outlined a clear agenda: advancing UN80 reform, guiding the selection of the next Secretary-General, and regaining momentum on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
