A Reminder That The UN Security Council Protects Hamas

Watching the United Nations trip over itself to not call out Hamas and other Stateless Arabs from Palestine (SAPs) terrorist groups who should be brought to justice is a spectacle in rife antisemitism. Sometimes, watching the UN Security Council call out heinous attacks in other parts of the world serves as a reminder as well.

On March 21, 2025, terrorists from the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS), an ISIL offshoot, shot at worshippers in a mosque in Niger. At least 44 worshippers were reported killed and 20 injured. The UNSC issued a statement less than one week later. I include it below in its entirety with bold for emphasis:

The members of the Security Council condemned in the strongest terms the cowardly terrorist attack by Islamic State in the Greater Sahara in Kokorou, Niger, on 21 March, which resulted in the deaths of at least 44 civilians and 13 severely injured.

The members of the Security Council expressed their deepest sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims and to the authorities and the people of Niger, and they wished a speedy and full recovery to those who were injured.

The members of the Security Council reaffirmed that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security.

The members of the Security Council underlined the need to hold perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of these reprehensible acts of terrorism accountable and bring them to justice. They underscored the importance for all States, in accordance with their obligations under international law and relevant Security Council resolutions, to cooperate with the authorities of Niger as well as all other relevant authorities in this regard.

The members of the Security Council reiterated that any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed. They reaffirmed the need for all States to combat by all means, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and other obligations under international law, including international human rights law, international refugee law and international humanitarian law, threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts.

It seems pretty straightforward to condemn the murder of 44 people. So why couldn’t the UN Security Council get it together after the October 7, 2023 murder of 1,200 people in Israel?

Eleven days after the attack, on October 18, the UNSC tried to get a resolution passed – and failed to do so. Why couldn’t the condemnation happen on October 8? 9? 12th? 15th?

Because there was no consensus.

The UNSC played with resolutions for days, including on October 16. Activity began to heat up after a hospital in Gaza was hit on October 17, and the world incorrectly jumped to the conclusion that Israel launched the missile. The United States vetoed the proposed resolution because “the draft did not mention Israel’s right to self-defence.”

The UN Security Council failed to take actions to pressure Hamas BEFORE the October 7 massacre and remains committed to protect the political-terrorist group. When Israel speaks at the council, diplomats routinely walk out of the room.

There is no pathway for Israel to obtain basic rights and consideration through multilateral venues. It must pursue its interests on bilateral bases with countries around the world.

As the Global South seeks to alter the composition of the UN Security Council, Israel should push the United States to neuter the committee of its capacity to shape international law.