In a recent interview with the Israeli newspaper "Maariv," Israel's permanent ambassador to the United Nations, Gilad Erdan, expressed robust criticism of the current White House administration, particularly regarding their Israel policy.
Erdan initiated the discussion by addressing a question about his perspective on President Biden. He remarked, "Biden is undeniably a friend and ally of Israel, as well as a personal friend of the Prime Minister. There is no doubt about that. However, it is equally undeniable that we have significant disagreements with the administration on various matters vital to Israel, such as preventing the nuclearization of Iran and the ongoing disputes in the Palestinian context. Disagreements between allies are a natural occurrence and can transpire even among the closest of friends."
Productive lunch discussion with Ambassador Gilad Erdan, Permanent Representative of Israel to the UN. We discussed our growing cooperation at the UN and bilaterally as we approach the third anniversary of the historic Abraham Accords. pic.twitter.com/6x5yVJEd4R
ā UAE Mission to the UN (@UAEMissionToUN) September 8, 2023
When asked if he believed that the American criticism of Israel was largely unwarranted, Erdan responded emphatically, "Absolutely. Each morning, as I start my day here, I observe how the State Department spokesperson addresses numerous events in Israel, some of which may not be of significant magnitude, such as the demolition of a Palestinian building or even Ben Gvir's visit to the Temple Mount, conducted in accordance with the established status quo. It often feels as though American domestic politics exert an excessive influence on the externalization of criticism towards Israel. Questions posed by journalists seem to revolve around the need to balance military aid with support in international forums like the UN."
"I am genuinely appreciative of their support, and those who, like me, comprehend the importance of this collaboration to both sides. Nevertheless, given Israel's current challenges with boycotts and hostile organizations, I am concerned about the surplus of criticism. While well-intentioned, it may inadvertently aid those seeking to undermine us, contributing to our delegitimization."
Biden, Netanyahu to meet on sidelines of UN General Assembly
ā Daniel Cohen (@DanielCohenTV) September 13, 2023
Still NOT a White House invite, though the Biden Administration promises Bibi an "Oval Office follow up."https://t.co/vQrDPUCAMA
Erdan's remarks come just ahead of Prime Minister Netanyahu's anticipated meeting with US President Joe Biden, along with other world leaders, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly. Notably, the Prime Minister's schedule includes a meeting with the world's wealthiest individual, Elon Musk. Concurrently, Netanyahu's office issued a statement confirming, for the first time, that the meeting with President Biden will occur in New York during the UN Assembly, rather than at the White House. This meeting is slated for Wednesday. It's worth noting that Netanyahu's team has received indications that he will eventually be invited to the White House later this year.
