Israel regrets its UN error

NEW DELHI: Israel on Wednesday termed the bracketing of India with other violence-hit countries at the United Nations (UN) as a “regrettable error”. An Israeli foreign ministry statement had initially said that violent incidents in countries like India and Pakistan were “ignored” even as Israel faced criticism for “unmistakably defensive actions”.

It said that Israeli foreign minister Avigdor Lieberman “reminded” the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon that in the past month alone 500 people were killed in various incidents in Thailand, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq and India.
The Israeli embassy here clarified saying that the inclusion of India in the statement along with the other countries was a mistake, with Israeli ambassador Mark Sofer telling reporters that “it was a regrettable error”.

The embassy further clarified that the reference to India was removed from the Israeli foreign ministry website. “The reference to India in the statement on the discussion between Foreign Minister Liberman and UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon was inadvertent, and has been removed from the official MFA internet site,” the Israeli embassy said in a statement.

The initial inclusion of India in the statement was met with surprise considering the warm ties between Israel and India. Explaining the gaffe, Mr Sofer, however, pointed out that India is a close friend of Israel. “Of course, Israel doesn’t see India in a same light as it sees its enemies. India is a close friend for whom we have greatest of respect,” Mr Sofer said. He further said: “Israel stands hook, line and sinker behind India in its struggle in South Asia.”

Israel is in the middle of a storm over its action against the Gaza flotilla carrying aid workers and relief material to Gaza and is facing criticism from friends and foes. A UN Security Council resolution condemned Israel for the Gaza action. But Israel dismissed the move as “unacceptable”.

There is now increasing international pressure on Israel to lift the blockade of Gaza. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon urged Israel to lift the blockade of the Gaza Strip. “Had Israelis heeded to my call and to the call of the international community by lifting the blockade of Gaza, this tragic incident would not have happened,” the UN chief was quoted as saying. The US has also indicated that Israel should lift the blockade saying it was “unsustainable and is not in the interest of any of those concerned”.

Mr Sofer said that Israeli officers had given a warning to the flotilla and that they faced resistance with some soldiers being thrown into the sea.