Diplomatic norms at the United Nations broke down on Friday when Israel’s ambassador and the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative on Children and Armed Conflict became involved in a heated public exchange during an open session.
At a meeting held in New York to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict, Israeli Ambassador Danny Danon called for the resignation of Pramila Patten, who prepared a report that placed Israel on a UN blacklist for the first time over such violations. He accused her of bias.
Another UN official, Vanessa Frazier, whose separate report also placed Israel on a blacklist, intervened and requested a point of order. She urged Danon to refrain from what she described as “personal attacks,” adding that she possessed “verified evidence.”
The confrontation took place during discussions focused on conflict-related sexual violence and followed the publication of UN reports addressing alleged violations in conflict zones.
Reuters
