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Israeli envoy, UN officials clash at hearing on children in conflict

From Jerusalem Post · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Israel's UN envoy Danny Danon clashed with UN officials, demanding the resignation of Pramila Patten over a report blacklisting Israel for alleged abuses against children.
  • Danon accused Patten and UN chief Antonio Guterres of bias and caving to "obsession with targeting Israel."
  • The confrontation occurred during a hearing on children in conflict, where Patten's report and another by Vanessa Frazier were discussed, both listing alleged Israeli violations.

A heated exchange erupted at the United Nations on Friday as Israel's ambassador, Danny Danon, confronted UN officials during a public hearing on children and armed conflict. Danon demanded the resignation of Pramila Patten, the UN special representative for children and armed conflict, accusing her of bias after her report for the first time blacklisted Israel for alleged abuses.

Danon directly addressed UN chief Antonio Guterres, stating, "You caved to the secretary-general's obsession with targeting Israel." Vanessa Frazier, Guterres' representative and compiler of a separate report also blacklisting Israel, interjected to demand Danon refrain from "personal attacks," asserting she had "verified evidence." Danon retorted, telling Frazier to be quiet and calling her report "shameful."

You caved to the secretary-general's obsession with targeting Israel.

— Danny DanonDanon accuses UN chief Antonio Guterres of bias against Israel.

Patten's report was issued last month, and Israel's foreign ministry vowed to sever ties with Guterres, who is nearing the end of his term. Danon had previously described the report as "a new low." Both reports also list Palestinian terrorist organization Hamas for its actions, including the Oct. 7 massacre against Israel.

The confrontation highlights ongoing diplomatic tensions at the UN regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Danon's aggressive stance reflects Israel's frustration with what it perceives as biased reporting and targeting by UN bodies, while UN officials maintain their findings are based on verified evidence.

We are a member state, and you work for the US, and you will be quiet now. You will be quiet ... you and your shameful report.

— Danny DanonDanon tells Vanessa Frazier, a UN official, to be silent during the hearing.
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Originally published by Jerusalem Post. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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