SouthernWorldwide.com – A heated confrontation unfolded at the United Nations as Israel’s Ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, engaged in a shouting match with Vanessa Frazier, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict. The intense exchange occurred during a UN meeting commemorating the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict.
The dispute stemmed from a report that Frazier helped author, which placed Israel on a blacklist concerning sexual violence. Danon expressed his strong disapproval, accusing Frazier of succumbing to pressure and the Secretary-General’s perceived agenda against Israel.
“You caved to the pressure. You caved to the Secretary General’s obsession with targeting Israel. And in doing so,” Danon began, only to be interrupted by Frazier.
Danon reacted with anger, asserting his right to speak. “Wait, I’m speaking now!” he exclaimed.
He continued his tirade, raising his voice. “No, you will be quiet, because I’m speaking now! You spoke, now I speak. You spoke, and now I’ll speak. Shame on you, you’re part of the bullying of Israel. Shame on you, you can walk out. You spoke now, I speak. You can walk out, shame on you! You’re part of this, you’re part of his obsession.”
The UN Secretary-General’s office had included Israeli entities in the annex of its annual Conflict-Related Sexual Violence report in May. Specifically, the report named the Israel Defense Forces, the Israel Prison Services, and the country’s border police Counter Terrorism Unit. This action followed UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ labeling of these organizations as “a party credibly suspected of committing or being responsible for patterns of rape or other sexual violence.”
Ambassador Danon had previously voiced his condemnation of the UN’s decision to add Israel to the blacklist. He had also announced a freeze in relations between Israel and the office of Secretary-General Guterres.
Danon had stated, “Israel has been placed on a blacklist alongside Hamas, ISIS, and Boko Haram. This is a moral disgrace that will be remembered as one of the darkest stains on António Guterres’ legacy.”
During the Friday meeting, Danon also called for the resignation of Pramila Patten, the UN Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict and Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations. He then dismissed an apparent attempt by Frazier to defend Patten, pointing out that Patten was not present at the meeting.
“Ms. Patten was invited here, she chose not to be here. You will allow me to finish my words. Shameful. You are part of this shameful behavior. You are a part of it. Shame on you. Shame on you,” Danon shouted.
He continued his strong rebuke, stating, “I will speak and you will be quiet. You work for the U.N. and you will respect the rule of the U.N. Respect the rule. We will not allow you to bully us. We are a member state, and you work for the U.N., and you will be quiet now. You will be quiet. Shameful. You and your shameful report. We know why you took this position. We will not let you be part of this shameful campaign. I will finish my words. If you don’t want to listen, go out.”
Danon argued that Israel had cooperated with the UN. He asserted that the organization had not independently reviewed the evidence and had not provided Israel with a fair opportunity to respond to the allegations. He also accused Patten of legitimizing a politically motivated campaign against Israel.
“If verifying the facts is not Ms. Patten’s responsibility, then what exactly is her responsibility?” Danon questioned.
He concluded his remarks by saying, “You knew Israel had cooperated. You knew you had not reviewed the evidence yourself. Yet you chose to stand behind this falsehood. You should have said no. You should have resigned. You tried to stain Israel’s name. But the stain is not on Israel. The stain is on you.”
