Israeli UN ambassador slams humanitarian chief over Gaza genocide accusation

Israeli U.N. Ambassador Danny Danon has strongly condemned United Nations official Tom Fletcher for his remarks that accused Israel of committing genocide. Fletcher, the U.N. Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, made these comments during a Security Council meeting where he criticized Israel for imposing inhumane conditions on civilians in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

Fletcher’s speech focused on the dire situation in Gaza, where aid trucks have not been allowed to enter for 10 weeks, leading to shortages of supplies and overwhelming hospitals. He also highlighted the escalating violence in the West Bank, citing a recent tragic incident where a pregnant Israeli woman was killed in a shooting attack on her way to the hospital to give birth. Despite her death, doctors were able to save her baby, who remains in serious but stable condition.

In response to Fletcher’s accusations, Danon issued a scathing letter, expressing shock and dismay at the U.N. official’s lack of neutrality and irresponsible use of the term genocide without evidence. Danon accused Fletcher of delivering a political sermon rather than a factual briefing to the Security Council, calling his actions a desecration and subversion of a term with significant weight.

Danon questioned the authority under which Fletcher made these accusations and criticized his failure to engage with Israel in good faith at the highest levels. He also challenged Fletcher to consider whether he had done enough to prevent further violence, accelerate the release of hostages, and hold Hamas accountable for their actions.

In response to inquiries about Fletcher’s remarks, an OCHA spokesperson reiterated that it is for legal bodies to determine if genocide is taking place and emphasized the need for decisive action to prevent such atrocities. The spokesperson also noted Fletcher’s public condemnation of Hamas-led attacks and his advocacy for the release of hostages.

Overall, Danon’s rebuke of Fletcher’s remarks underscores the ongoing tensions and complexities surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, highlighting the importance of impartiality and factual accuracy in addressing humanitarian crises and promoting peace in the region.