US envoy storms out of UNSC meeting called after Gaza carnage
US blocks UN probe, Haley leaves before Palestinian envoy takes the stage
Nikki Haley's aberrant walk out came after a speech in which placed the blame for the clashes on Iran and Hamas PHOTO: REUTERS
United States' (US) Ambassador to the United Nations (UN) Nikki Haley stormed out of the Security Council on Tuesday when Palestinian Ambassador Riyad Mansour took the floor to talk about the deadly violence in Gaza, reported Washington Examiner.
The walk-out occurred after Haley blocked the UN motion to launch an international investigation into tactics deployed by Israel forces, and further blamed Iran and other war proxies for enticing more violence in the region.
Pompeo says U.S. open to 'two-party solution' for Israeli-Palestinian conflict
The proposed UN statement from Kuwait called for an investigation to decide if the Israeli Defense Forces violated international bans on “willful killing and willfully causing great suffering,” but Haley lauded their tactics and blamed Hamas, blocking it from consideration as she did so.
“In recent days, Hamas terrorists, backed by Iran, have incited attacks against Israeli security forces and infrastructure,” said Haley. "They have reported on Hamas messages over loudspeakers that urge demonstrators to burst through the fence, falsely claiming Israeli soldiers were fleeing, when in fact, they were not."
The ambassador further added, “There is far too little discussion in the Security Council (UNSC) on Iran’s destabilising presence in Syria, its promotion of violence in Yemen, its support for terrorism in Gaza, and its dangerous and illegal weapons buildup in Lebanon.”
Once the US ambassador concluded her speech, the floor was handed over to Ambassador Mansour. Haley walked out of the chambers before he could even begin to talk.
"We condemn in the strongest terms this odious massacre committed by Israel occupation forces," Ambassador Mansour said as he began his speech.
Haley further praised the Israeli forces' performances throughout the protests. "I ask my colleagues here in the Security Council, who among us would accept this type of activity on your border?" she said. “No one would. No country in this chamber would act with more restraint than Israel has. In fact, the records of several countries here today suggest they would be much less restrained."
Palestinians withdraw envoy to US over Israel embassy move
Earlier on Tuesday, the UNSC released a draft expressing disappointment at the draconian measures used by US and Israel against peaceful Palestinian protesters.
“The Security Council expresses its outrage and sorrow at the killing of Palestinian civilians exercising their right to peaceful protest,” read a draft of the statement, a copy of which is available with AFP.
“The Security Council calls for an independent and transparent investigation into these actions to ensure accountability,” read the text.
This article originally appeared in the Washington Examiner.
The walk-out occurred after Haley blocked the UN motion to launch an international investigation into tactics deployed by Israel forces, and further blamed Iran and other war proxies for enticing more violence in the region.
Pompeo says U.S. open to 'two-party solution' for Israeli-Palestinian conflict
The proposed UN statement from Kuwait called for an investigation to decide if the Israeli Defense Forces violated international bans on “willful killing and willfully causing great suffering,” but Haley lauded their tactics and blamed Hamas, blocking it from consideration as she did so.
“In recent days, Hamas terrorists, backed by Iran, have incited attacks against Israeli security forces and infrastructure,” said Haley. "They have reported on Hamas messages over loudspeakers that urge demonstrators to burst through the fence, falsely claiming Israeli soldiers were fleeing, when in fact, they were not."
The ambassador further added, “There is far too little discussion in the Security Council (UNSC) on Iran’s destabilising presence in Syria, its promotion of violence in Yemen, its support for terrorism in Gaza, and its dangerous and illegal weapons buildup in Lebanon.”
Once the US ambassador concluded her speech, the floor was handed over to Ambassador Mansour. Haley walked out of the chambers before he could even begin to talk.
"We condemn in the strongest terms this odious massacre committed by Israel occupation forces," Ambassador Mansour said as he began his speech.
Haley further praised the Israeli forces' performances throughout the protests. "I ask my colleagues here in the Security Council, who among us would accept this type of activity on your border?" she said. “No one would. No country in this chamber would act with more restraint than Israel has. In fact, the records of several countries here today suggest they would be much less restrained."
Palestinians withdraw envoy to US over Israel embassy move
Earlier on Tuesday, the UNSC released a draft expressing disappointment at the draconian measures used by US and Israel against peaceful Palestinian protesters.
“The Security Council expresses its outrage and sorrow at the killing of Palestinian civilians exercising their right to peaceful protest,” read a draft of the statement, a copy of which is available with AFP.
“The Security Council calls for an independent and transparent investigation into these actions to ensure accountability,” read the text.
This article originally appeared in the Washington Examiner.