Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, has denounced United Nations officials for fueling antisemitic rhetoric in the wake of the tragic murder of two Israeli diplomats in Washington, D.C. The victims, Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Lynn Milgrim, were shot dead while leaving an event at the Capital Jewish Museum, which aimed to foster humanitarian aid to Gaza. The perpetrator, who screamed ‘Free Palestine’ during the attack, targeted the diplomats at a moment laden with personal significance for the couple, as Yaron had secretly planned to propose to Sarah in Jerusalem, highlighting the senseless nature of the violence.
Danon argues that the U.N.’s alleged spread of false claims, particularly those made by senior official Tom Fletcher, who accused Israel of genocide in Gaza and claimed that 14,000 children faced starvation within 48 hours, has created a dangerous atmosphere of hate. Fletcher’s statements, which have since been debunked, were widely shared across media platforms, potentially inciting violence against Jews and Israelis, according to the ambassador. While some news outlets have since retracted these claims, they argue that such retractions do not undo the damage done by those who used these falsehoods to justify the deadly attack.
Furthermore, Danon has criticized the U.N. for allowing other officials, such as Francesca Albanese, to promote antisemitic views. Albanese has been known to compare Israelis to Nazis, distort the Holocaust, and propagate conspiracy theories about Jewish power, all of which have contributed to a toxic environment that fuels hatred. Danon warns that if the United Nations does not address these issues, it risks further bloodshed and the perpetuation of a climate where such violence is justified by antisemitic rhetoric.
Israel, the ambassador continues, remains committed to its efforts to secure the release of its hostages, including those still held by Hamas, which initiated the war on October 7, 2023. Danon urges the U.N. to hold those spreading antisemitic propaganda accountable, emphasizing that it is not only a matter of justice for the victims but also a critical step in preventing future acts of violence against Jewish communities worldwide.