UN General Assembly urged to act against Israel’s 'unprecedented' attacks' on UN system

By A Representative

Indian ecologist and UN environmental negotiator S. Faizi has written to the President of the United Nations General Assembly urging action against what he described as Israel’s “unprecedented and direct attacks on the UN system.” In his letter, sent to the General Assembly President with copies to the UN Secretary-General and the chairperson of the Group of 77, Faizi argued that Israel’s actions constitute “an unpardonable affront to the community of nations” and should trigger measures under the UN Charter and General Assembly Rules of Procedure to deny Israel credentials and participation in UN fora.

Faizi listed seven recent instances of what he called direct assaults on the UN, including Israel’s UN Ambassador shredding the UN Charter on the General Assembly podium, calls to destroy the UN headquarters, the declaration of the UN Secretary-General as persona non grata, the designation of UNRWA as a terrorist organization, the killing of more than 360 UN staff in Gaza, restrictions on UN officials including the Special Rapporteur on Palestine, and repeated attacks on UNIFIL peacekeepers in Lebanon.

“These are not just violations of international law in Palestine or the wider region, but deliberate attacks on the very institution of the United Nations, unseen in its 80-year history,” Faizi wrote. He argued that even apartheid South Africa, though condemned by the UN General Assembly, had not attacked the UN system itself.

Pointing to precedents where the General Assembly circumvented Security Council vetoes to isolate apartheid South Africa, the Taliban, and the Myanmar junta, Faizi urged that Israel’s credentials be denied or withdrawn under Rules 28 and 114 of the General Assembly’s Rules of Procedure.

“The UN cannot afford to have an enemy within. Such a country cannot meet the requirements to admit its delegation to the sessions of the GA and other bodies of the UN,” Faizi stated. “The criminal acts against the UN by Israel provide compelling grounds for suspension or expulsion, but where the Security Council is paralysed by vetoes, the General Assembly must act.”

He appealed to the new General Assembly President to “use your influence to guide the member states to arrive at an outcome that will see this criminal country not sharing stage with the rest of the world in the UN fora.”

Comments

Grueling summer ahead: Cuttack’s alarming health trends and what they mean for Odisha

By Sudhansu R Das The preparation to face the summer should begin early in Odisha. People in the state endure long, grueling summer months starting from mid-February and extending until the end of October. This prolonged heat adversely affects productivity, causes deaths and diseases, and impacts agriculture, tourism and the unorganized sector. The social, economic and cultural life of the state remains severely disrupted during the peak heat months.

Stronger India–Russia partnership highlights a missed energy breakthrough

By N.S. Venkataraman* The recent visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to India was widely publicized across several countries and has attracted significant global attention. The warmth with which Mr. Putin was received by Prime Minister Narendra Modi was particularly noted, prompting policy planners worldwide to examine the implications of this cordial relationship for the global economy and political climate. India–Russia relations have stood on a strong foundation for decades and have consistently withstood geopolitical shifts. This is in marked contrast to India’s ties with the United States, which have experienced fluctuations under different U.S. administrations.

Concerns raised over move to rename MGNREGA, critics call it politically motivated

By A Representative Concerns have been raised over the Union government’s reported move to rename the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), with critics describing it as a politically motivated step rather than an administrative reform. They argue that the proposed change undermines the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi and seeks to appropriate credit for a programme whose relevance has been repeatedly demonstrated, particularly during times of crisis.

From natural farming to fair prices: Young entrepreneurs show a new path

By Bharat Dogra There have been frequent debates on agro-business companies not showing adequate concern for the livelihoods of small farmers. Farmers’ unions have often protested—generally with good reason—that while they do not receive fair returns despite high risks and hard work, corporate interests that merely process the crops produced by farmers earn disproportionately high profits. Hence, there is a growing demand for alternative models of agro-business development that demonstrate genuine commitment to protecting farmer livelihoods.

A comrade in culture and controversy: Yao Wenyuan’s revolutionary legacy

By Harsh Thakor* This year marks two important anniversaries in Chinese revolutionary history—the 20th death anniversary of Yao Wenyuan, and the 50th anniversary of his seminal essay "On the Social Basis of the Lin Biao Anti-Party Clique". These milestones invite reflection on the man whose pen ignited the first sparks of the Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution and whose sharp ideological interventions left an indelible imprint on the political and cultural landscape of socialist China.

Why India must urgently strengthen its policies for an ageing population

By Bharat Dogra A quiet but far-reaching demographic transformation is reshaping much of the world. As life expectancy rises and birth rates fall, societies are witnessing a rapid increase in the proportion of older people. This shift has profound implications for public policy, and the need to strengthen frameworks for healthy and secure ageing has never been more urgent. India is among the countries where these pressures will intensify most sharply in the coming decades.

Swami Vivekananda's views on caste and sexuality were 'painfully' regressive

By Bhaskar Sur* Swami Vivekananda now belongs more to the modern Hindu mythology than reality. It makes a daunting job to discover the real human being who knew unemployment, humiliation of losing a teaching job for 'incompetence', longed in vain for the bliss of a happy conjugal life only to suffer the consequent frustration.

Thota Sitaramaiah: An internal pillar of an underground organisation

By Harsh Thakor* Thota Sitaramaiah was regarded within his circles as an example of the many individuals whose work in various underground movements remained largely unknown to the wider public. While some leaders become visible through organisational roles or media attention, many others contribute quietly, without public recognition. Sitaramaiah was considered one such figure. He passed away on December 8, 2025, at the age of 65.

School job scam and the future of university degree holders in West Bengal

By Harasankar Adhikari The school recruitment controversy in West Bengal has emerged as one of the most serious governance challenges in recent years, raising concerns about transparency, institutional accountability, and the broader impact on society. Allegations that school jobs were obtained through irregular means have led to prolonged legal scrutiny, involving both the Calcutta High Court and the Supreme Court of India. In one instance, a panel for high school teacher recruitment was ultimately cancelled after several years of service, following extended judicial proceedings and debate.

Search This Blog