Earlier this week, during Israel’s annual Memorial Day for fallen soldiers of the Israel Defense Forces, other security agencies as well as victims of terrorism, The UN Security Council convened for a special discussion on the Palestinian issue, a discussion that was upgraded to the status of foreign ministers and was attended by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov who led the session and the Palestinian Authority's Foreign Minister.
The debate took place despite prior requests by Israel's UN Ambassador, Gilad Erdan, to move the date of the discussion, even by a day or two, so as not to violate the sanctity of the Israeli Memorial Day which is viewed as a mourning day in the Jewish state.
murdered, read the names of those murdered in the past year and left the hall.
— JamesLe (@JamesLe92789807) April 25, 2023
Raising the level of those present at the debate seemed to be a sort of Russian warning to Israel, regarding Russia's dissatisfaction with Israeli aid to Ukraine and immense pressures for Israel to aid with weapons as well. As an act of protest against the desecration of Memorial Day, Erdan brought a traditional memorial candle to the Security Council discussion, delivered a short yet angry speech, and proceeded to light the candle while reading the names of those murdered in terrorist acts in the past year, and left the hall in protest.
"Today's debate has crossed all lines," accused Erdan. "Not only am I both appalled and outraged to the very depth of my soul, but I am sad. Very sad. Today is one of the most sacred days of the year for the State of Israel. Today is Memorial Day for our fallen troops and victims of terror. The day during which every Israel remembers those who paid the ultimate price while defending the Jewish homeland."
The Israeli ambassador to the UN @giladerdan1 walked out of the Security Council meeting on Israel-Palestine to protest it was scheduled on Israel's Memorial Day. Watch here: pic.twitter.com/MR1AnULxH2
— Barak Ravid (@BarakRavid) April 25, 2023
Erdan directed his attention to the council president, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, and posed a hypothetical question regarding how he would respond to an event condemning Russian troops on May 9th, which is Russia's Victory Day and a highly significant holiday. "While Israelis mourn, this council, as usual, will hear more blatant lies condemning the State of Israel and falsely painting it as the root of all the region's problems," he continued.
In fact not a bad idea: “Mr. President [lavrov], What would you do if this Council was convening to single out & condemn the Russian
— Sergiy Kyslytsya (@SergiyKyslytsya) April 25, 2023
Federation and your soldiers on the Ninth of May – on Victory Day over the Nazis?”, Gilad Erdan @giladerdan1 UN Permanent Representative of Israel pic.twitter.com/E7TqZeX2ED
"This couldn't be any further from the truth. The only reason this conflict has not yet been resolved is because the Palestinians refuse to accept the very existence of Israel, the Jewish state. So today, on this sacred and solemn day during which we Israelis bow our heads to the 28,468 fallen soldiers and victims of terror, I refuse to take part in this absurd farce," he added.
Erdan then read aloud the names of terror victims who were killed in the past year, lit a candle in their memory, and stormed out of the chamber.
