Anti-Israel bias at UN has become institutionalized, Erdan tells Guterres
Erdan said he was proud to represent his country at the UN, before criticizing the UN’s treatment of Israel.
By TOVAH LAZAROFFIsrael's ambassador to the UN, Gilad Erdan at the 75 UN General Assembly, September (photo credit: SPOKESMAN FOR MINISTER GILAD ERDAN)
Ambassador to the UN Gilad Erdan urged UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to work with him to eliminate anti-Israel bias that permeates the international body.“The bias against Israel has become institutionalized,” Erdan told Guterres.The two spoke when Erdan presented Guterres with his credentials to represent Israel at the UN in New York. Erdan took up his post this fall, replacing former Israeli ambassador to the UN Danny Danon.“I am proud to represent my country at this important institution,” Erdan said, but almost immediately, he criticized the UN’s treatment of Israel.Guterres responded by telling Erdan, “There is a very strong link between Israel and the UN. We consider Israel a very important pillar of the multilateral order.”He reminded Erdan that “the UN was directly involved in the birth of the State of Israel and this was an extremely important moment for your country and for the world.”The UN secretary-general was honored earlier this past week by the World Jewish Congress for his work to combat antisemitism. Despite this, the UN continues to pass more resolutions against Israel than against any other country, Erdan claimed.At their meeting, Erdan asked Guterres to help free two Israeli civilians Hamas has held captive in Gaza and to work for the release of the bodies of two Israeli soldiers – Hadar Goldin and Oren Shaul – believed killed during the 2014 Gaza war.
