The time when the UN was home turf for those who hate and slander Israel is over. We are fighting what might be the most justified battle in the history of the organization.
by Ambassador Danny Danon, ISRAEL HAYOM
For years, we in Israel thought that the hostile reality at the UN was something unalterable. We became impervious to automatic condemnations and stopped getting upset when Palestinian incitement was met with open arms.
To clear the air the anti-Semitism that pervaded the corridors of the organization, we launched a long but justified battle, possibly the most justified one ever waged in the UN.
In the past few years, we have spearheaded a number of precedent-setting initiatives that helped us throw off the hostile atmosphere and strengthen our status in the organization.
It started on the day I was appointed chairman of the Justice Committee, an unprecedented occurrence that proved that Israel can win, even in the UN. The new balance of power stood out especially when ambassadors from the countries hostile to Israel were forced, for the first time, to face a senior committee head who was also Israel’s ambassador to the UN, and ask for the right to speak.
In every fight, we assemble the moral majority, led by our friend the US. Together we have led proposals for resolutions that were voted on in the General Assembly and designed to isolate nations that support terrorism and block anti-Israel declarations.
Eighty-seven countries stood alongside Israel and the US when we brought to the vote a resolution to condemn Hamas in the General Assembly. A broad coalition of nations openly stated that the loathsome terrorist group was an international problem.
We are proudly making Jewish culture and legacy part of the organization. For the first time, Yom Kippur was recognized as an official UN holiday, kosher food was made available in the cafeteria, and Jewish holidays are marked by official events.
We have not allowed the rise of modern anti-Semitism to go ignored. The General Assembly was summoned for a special session to discuss the fight against anti-Semitism, and a proposed resolution to condemn hate crimes and anti-Semitic crimes passed.
This past year, we have also fought against the Palestinians’ culture of lies, along with a true friend to Israel – former US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley. The time when the US remained silent while the world condemned Israel is over. Together, we are fighting a just war that is strengthening Israel as well as the US.
I’m proud to say that the US is no longer a home court for those who oppose Israel. Terms like “war crimes” and the “Goldstone Report” are fading memories from a dark time in the organization’s history. In 2019 many countries are supporting Israeli initiatives in international forums, and multilateral cooperation is rising.
Israeli innovation strengthens not only Israel but the rest of the nations of the world, as well. Israel’s cyber capabilities, a “superpower” as Singapore’s UN ambassador put it, are used to defend other countries, too. The UN is being exposed to Israeli technology and this past year invested $200 million in acquiring Israeli goods and services.
All these achievements are just the beginning. We will continue to represent Israel at the 74th General Assembly with our heads held high, and build more bridges thanks to Israel’s amazing technology and spirit.
‘Volt face’ when Trump is out of office. All mediocres need a punching bag and we Jews are it. Look how Turkey’s Erdagan has taken up the Palestinian cause at the UN trying to prove his moslem leadership credentials.
Turkey has turned facist in just a year and gone from being Western oriented to Moslem conservative and to alignment with Russia and Iran to control Black Sea access to Ukranian grain.
Non-democratic countries can do a volt face to the dark side on a dine, figuratively and literally
But item 7 is still on the u n hate Israel fest. Just listened to the first 40mins same speech by all the terror lovers almost word for word.
A big push to publish the names of companies who do business in J-S.
Funny how the chair addresses the terror loving reps as the ‘distinguished’.
Now got to suffer through final hour of BS.