UN Chief Warns Against Israeli ‘Intimidation,’ Says Climate Goals Near Collapse

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Friday urged the world not to be “intimidated” by Israel as it threatens annexation of the occupied West Bank, while also warning that global climate targets risk “collapsing.”

In an interview with AFP ahead of the UN General Assembly’s high-level week, Guterres said international recognition of a Palestinian state should not be deterred by Israeli retaliation. “With or without doing what we are doing, these actions would go on. At least there is a chance to mobilize the international community to put pressure for them not to happen,” he said.

The gathering of more than 140 world leaders is expected to be dominated by the war in Gaza and the Palestinian question, with France saying 10 countries will recognize Palestinian statehood despite Israeli objections. Israel has warned it could annex West Bank territory if recognition proceeds.

“What we are witnessing in Gaza is horrendous,” Guterres said, describing “the worst level of death and destruction” in his tenure as UN chief, including famine, collapse of health care and mass displacement.

Israel’s far-right finance minister Bezalel Smotrich has openly called for annexation to “bury the idea of a Palestinian state,” while the United States has refrained from criticizing Israel’s actions and has opposed allies recognizing Palestinian statehood.

‘On Verge of Collapse’

Guterres also sounded the alarm on climate action, saying efforts to cap global warming at 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels — the central goal of the Paris Agreement — are faltering.

“We are on the verge of this objective collapsing,” he warned, urging countries to submit overdue climate action plans, or Nationally Determined Contributions, aligned with the 1.5°C target. “It is essential that we have a drastic reduction of emissions in the next few years if you want to keep the 1.5 degrees Celsius limit alive.”

With COP30 set for Brazil in less than two months, major powers including China and the European Union have yet to unveil updated pledges. Current warming is estimated at 1.4°C, bringing the world dangerously close to breaching the Paris threshold this decade.