UN ambassadors receive security briefings in South during Israel visit

Israeli UN representative Danon said he believes his counterparts will "return home with a better understanding of [Israel’s] need to stand strong in the face of the threats to its security."

By DANIELLE ZIRI
AMBASSADOR TO the UN Danny Danon (standing behind the kneeling man) and 11 of his colleagues from the world body visit the South yesterday. (photo credit: AVI DODI)
AMBASSADOR TO the UN Danny Danon (standing behind the kneeling man) and 11 of his colleagues from the world body visit the South yesterday.
(photo credit: AVI DODI)
NEW YORK – Eleven UN ambassadors were briefed on Israel’s security challenges on Tuesday, as they are visiting the country with Israel’s representative at the United Nations Danny Danon.
The delegation received the briefings as they were flying in helicopters over the country’s narrow “waistline” and visited communities near the Gaza Strip such as Sderot and Kibbutz Nahal Oz, where they heard about living under the threat of rocket fire and tunnel attacks. The group then flew north to Ziv Medical Center in Safed, where they witnessed medical aid care given to Syrian refugees.
The ambassadors were also taken to the Lebanese border where they were briefed on the threats Israel faces there.
The ambassadors are from Liberia, Panama, the Marshall Islands, Moldova, Tanzania, Serbia, Equatorial Guinea, the Republic of Palau, Thailand and Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as Uruguay, which currently serves as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council.
Danon said he believes his counterparts will “return home with a better understanding of [Israel’s] need to stand strong in the face of the threats to its security."
“Ambassadors to the UN are at the forefront of their counties’ foreign services,” Danon said. “This trip strengthens our ties with these important countries, and fosters relationships with future international leaders.”
Earlier this week, the delegation had lunch at the Max Brenner restaurant in the Sarona Market in Tel Aviv, which was the site of a deadly terrorist attack in June.
The UN ambassadors delegation to Israel was organized by the American Jewish Committee’s Project Interchange in coordination with the Israeli Mission to the UN.