Martin Griffiths, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, insisted that Hamas is not a terrorist group, but rather a “political movement.”
“In terms of Israel’s plans to eliminate Hamas and have them never be part of any future negotiation when it comes to Gaza, do you think that’s realistic?” a Sky News anchor asked him.
“I think it’s very difficult, and as you say, I’ve worked with many, many, many different terrorist and insurgent groups. Hamas is not a terrorist group for us, of course, as you know. It’s a political movement,” Griffiths answered, adding, “But, I think it is very, very difficult to dislodge these groups without a negotiated solution; which includes their aspirations. I cannot think of an example offhand of a place where a victory through warfare has succeeded against a well-entrenched group, terrorist or otherwise.”
“According to @UNReliefChief Hamas is not a terrorist organization. They are a political organization, who from time to time murders, rapes and kidnaps civilians to let off steam. What an abomination the [UN] has become,” the state of Israel’s X feed declared.
According to @UNReliefChief Hamas is not a terrorist organization.
They are a political organization, who from time to time murders, rapes and kidnaps civilians to let off steam.
What an abomination the @UN has become. pic.twitter.com/E6cEFjgMmd
— Israel ישראל ???????? (@Israel) February 15, 2024
“Martin Griffiths, @UNReliefChief, denies Hamas is a terrorist organization. No wonder he is abusing his power to save Hamas’ skin after the deadliest terror attack since 9/11 instead of demanding its surrender,” Israeli government spokesman Eylon Levy snapped.
Martin Griffiths, @UNReliefChief, denies Hamas is a terrorist organization. No wonder he is abusing his power to save Hamas' skin after the deadliest terror attack since 9/11 instead of demanding its surrender. pic.twitter.com/0FIA3fmtDU
— Eylon Levy (@EylonALevy) February 15, 2024
In an attempt to defend himself later, Griffiths tweeted, “Just to clarify: Hamas is not on the list of groups designated as terrorist organizations by the United Nations Security Council. This doesn’t make their acts of terror on 7 October any less horrific and reprehensible, as I’ve been saying all along.”
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Just to clarify: Hamas is not on the list of groups designated as terrorist organizations by the United Nations Security Council.
This doesn't make their acts of terror on 7 October any less horrific and reprehensible, as I've been saying all along.
— Martin Griffiths (@UNReliefChief) February 15, 2024
“Just to clarify: @UNReliefChief you’re a Hamas apologist and your statements are an insult to every single victim of October 7th. Pathetic,” the State of Israel’s X feed responded.
Just to clarify: @UNReliefChief you’re a Hamas apologist and your statements are an insult to every single victim of
October 7th.Pathetic. https://t.co/blfZgLHyzl
— Israel ישראל ???????? (@Israel) February 15, 2024
Griffiths did not explain why he called Hamas a “political movement.”
The German Foreign Office X feed took issue with Griffiths, noting, “To make it crystal clear: The EU has listed Hamas as a terrorist organization and so have many others.”
To make it crystal clear: The EU has listed Hamas as a terrorist organization and so have many others.
— GermanForeignOffice (@GermanyDiplo) February 15, 2024