Israel’s ambassador to Ghana, Roey Gilad, has expressed deep mistrust in the United Nations’ (UN) ability to mediate in the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Reflecting on the role of international bodies in the Middle East, during an interview on Joy News’ PM Express on October 9, he criticised the UN as biased against Israel and called for direct negotiations between Israel and Palestine as the only viable path to peace.

His remarks came amidst the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas, which has led to significant casualties and further escalated tensions in the region.

“The UN Is Biased Against Israel”

Ambassador Gilad was clear in his criticism of the UN’s role in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

He said the General Assembly of the UN is heavily biased against Israel, making it an unreliable platform for resolving the decades-old dispute.

“In the General Assembly, there is an automatic majority for the other side. We know it for years. It’s not new,” he said, referring to the tendency of many UN member states to vote against Israel on key issues.

The ambassador, however, acknowledged that the UN Security Council, where decisions are more balanced due to veto powers held by key states like the United States, presents a more favourable forum.

Despite this, he stated that peace between Israel and Palestine must come from direct negotiations, not through UN resolutions.

“The future of the Palestinian territories, the future of the Palestinian people, the future of the Palestinian Authority will be decided around the table after direct talks between Israelis and Palestinians,” Gilad insisted.

A Call for Direct Talks, Not Armed Conflict

At the core of Ambassador Gilad’s message was the belief that peace cannot be achieved through armed conflict, as Hamas believes, but rather through dialogue.

He argued that Hamas’ militarised approach only perpetuates violence and diminishes the chances of reaching a peaceful resolution.

“This is not going to be solved with arms and with force, as Hamas believes. So I think getting rid of Hamas will only advance the chances of peace and the chances to reach a direct negotiation between both sides,” he said.

Mr Gilad reiterated Israel’s stance that any lasting solution must involve negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority, not the militant group Hamas.

He differentiated between the two, describing Hamas as “unwilling” to negotiate while labelling the Palestinian Authority as “unable” to enforce its rule in the territories it governs.

“Hamas is the unwilling. They are unwilling to live next to Israel. The Palestinian Authority is willing to live next to Israel, but so far, they are unable to enforce their authority,” he noted, highlighting the complex dynamics within the Palestinian leadership.

Why Israel Won’t Leave Gaza: A Security Concern

When questioned about why Israel cannot simply leave Gaza and allow Palestinians to govern themselves, Ambassador Gilad provided historical and security-based reasoning.

He pointed to the UN’s decision in 1948 to establish two independent states—one for Israelis and one for Palestinians—saying Israel had accepted this resolution, but the Arabs and Palestinians had rejected it.

Since then, the conflict has persisted, with many efforts at peace failing due to violence and mistrust.

Mr Gilad stressed that Israel’s primary concern is security, particularly given its geographical vulnerability.

He described Israel as “a very small place,” much smaller than Ghana, and noted that it lacks strategic depth, making any security mistake potentially catastrophic.

He explained that certain Palestinian territories, like the West Bank, are dangerously close to vital Israeli infrastructure such as Ben Gurion Airport, the country’s only major international airport.

“If there is an enemy which is controlling the hills over Ben Gurion Airport, a part of what you call the Palestinian area, then we are done.

"So, our main challenge is that we lack what is known as strategic depth. The meaning of lacking a strategic depth is that if you make a mistake, it might be your last mistake,” Mr Gilad warned.

Ongoing War and Rising Casualties

The interview took place against the backdrop of a war that has claimed thousands of lives on both sides.

The conflict began in October 2023 when Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel, sparking a devastating military response from Israel aimed at dismantling the militant group’s presence in Gaza.

According to recent reports, over 8,000 Palestinians have been killed, and more than 1,400 Israelis have lost their lives since the hostilities began.

The densely populated Gaza Strip, home to over two million people, has been the focal point of intense Israeli airstrikes, with both Hamas fighters and civilians suffering heavy losses.

Ambassador Gilad defended Israel’s actions in the war, emphasizing that Hamas deliberately hides among civilians, making it difficult for Israel to target militants without causing civilian casualties.

“When you conduct a campaign in which you try to bring down 40,000 terrorists that are hiding behind the population of two million citizens in an area which is 204 square kilometres, I don’t think we could have done a better job,” he said.

While acknowledging the tragic loss of life, Gilad argued that Israel’s military operations are necessary for the country’s survival.

He maintained that Israel is fighting a defensive war, not just against Hamas but also against a broader existential threat posed by Palestinian militancy.