“This targeting of Israel, this singling out of the world’s only Jewish State – and even actions and statements that threaten to destroy Israel – are unacceptable and should come at a price,” Rivlin told UN chief Guterres.
Israeli President Reuven Rivlin met on Monday with United Nations (UN) Secretary General António Guterres at his residence in Jerusalem. Guterres is on a three day visit to the Jewish State, his first since his appointment in January.
In statements to the media prior to their meeting, Rivlin urged Guterres to work to end the discrimination against Israel at several UN bodies.
“The State of Israel is the one place in which the Jewish nation can fulfill its right for self-determination…and because the idea of the nation-state is so deeply rooted in the values and principles of the UN, I call upon you, Mr. Secretary General, to work to end the discrimination against Israel in some branches of your organization,” Rivlin said.
“This targeting of Israel, this singling out of the world’s only Jewish State – and even actions and statements that threaten to destroy Israel – are unacceptable and should come at a price.” the president said, adding that “no member state in the UN should be allowed to behave like that. These actions weaken cooperation between states and are against the rule of law.”
Guterres himself has cited the world body for its notorious anti-Israel bias on several occasions.
Rivlin thanked Guterres for his “brave leadership regarding the discrimination against Israel. We hope that working together, we can create a more productive partnership, between Israel and the UN, for the sake of our region, and for the sake of all humanity.”
Relating to the four Israelis held captive by Hamas, Rivlin said that “the world must call on Hamas, to return our sons. Return them home. To their families. I urge you to take this mission and to help us bring back our sons.”
Guterres ‘Totally Committed’ to Impartiality
In his remarks, Guterres stressed the UN’s values of impartiality.
“Impartiality means treating all states equally, and I am totally committed to that in my action and in everything I can do for the organization I lead,” Guterres underscored.
“I do believe that in particular when you mention those that call for the destruction of the State of Israel that that is a form of modern anti-Semitism,” the UN chief stated.
As far as disagreements with Israel are concerned, “the UN will always be very frank in the dialogue with the State of Israel in trying to find ways for peace to be possible in this region, but we will always be very committed to make sure anti-Semitism doesn’t prevail and that equality in the treatment of all states is fully respected,” Guterres pledged.
During their meeting, Rivlin stressed that it was outrageous that Iran could have the rights of a member of the United Nations and continue inciting against the State of Israel. He made it clear that these statements contradicted the values of the UN, and allowed for the spread of anti-Semitism from its stage.
The two leaders discussed the current situation in Gaza, the role of the UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) in the Golan Heights along the northern border of Israel, and the importance of restoring confidence as a central component of Israeli-Palestinian discourse.
By: World Israel News Staff