UN Calls Hamas “De Facto Authorities”
Israel: State of a Nation
Anne Herzberg from NGO Monitor and Eylon Levy discuss the United Nations' reluctance to directly label Hamas as a terrorist organization, often referring to them instead as the "De Facto Authorities" in Gaza. This choice of language is criticized as more than just semantics; it reflects a troubling acquiescence that potentially aids in normalizing the actions of Hamas and undermines efforts to hold them accountable for violence. Herzberg and Levy argue that this wording provides Hamas with undue legitimacy and complicity, potentially affecting international policies and perceptions regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.