Race for the UN’s Soul: Who Will Succeed Guterres? |
After a long silence, the sirens wailed across Israel once more. The sound registered in my muscles before my mind could even process it; my body was already moving toward the bunker. That is the reality of life here—survival becomes an ingrained instinct. But this time, the sirens did not signal an attack. They echoed across the nation to mark Memorial Day, a solemn moment of silence dedicated to fallen soldiers and the victims of terror.
I stood still, letting the sound wash over me. Every time I hear that wail, my mind returns to the same painful place: to those eleven young Nepali students—our brothers—who were murdered in the Hamas attack on Kibbutz Alumim. They had come here with dreams of working, learning, and building a future for themselves. Now, they are simply gone.
I think about the white vehicles, too. We cannot allow ourselves to forget what has since come to light—that Hamas systematically exploited UNRWA warehouses, facilities, and apartments as part of its operational infrastructure. It is a devastating reality that a United Nations agency established to serve refugees was, as Israeli authorities and independent investigations have shown, utilized during the attacks. This betrayal only underscores why many now view the UN as a bitterly divided organization struggling to fulfill its founding promise.
In those two minutes, the entire country grinds to a halt. Cars pull over on the highways, and people stand on the sidewalks with their heads bowed in collective grief. I stood there, too. I remembered everything—especially that darkest day.
The halls of the United Nations in New York are buzzing with more than just the usual diplomatic chatter. With Secretary-General António Guterres set to depart on the end of........