UN Ambassador Gilad Erdan was sharply critical of the Security Council's failure to condemn Hamas' attacks and asked members on Monday night: "Why are the humanitarian needs of Gazans, the sole issue, the sole issue you are focused on?"
Follow Israel Hayom on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
Recalling his grandfather who survived Nazi death camps but his wife and seven children perished in the Auschwitz gas chamber, Erdan told the council he will wear a yellow star — just as Hitler made his grandfather and other Jews wear during World War II — "until you condemn the atrocities of Hamas and demand the immediate release of our hostages."
"When his babies were sent to the gas chambers, the world stayed silent. When their bodies were burned along with millions of other Jewish children, the world was silent," Erdan said. "Today, after innocent Jewish babies were burned alive, this council is still silent. Some of you have learned nothing in the past 80 years. Some of you have forgotten why this body was established."
The ambassador then put a large six-pointed yellow star of David saying "Never Again" on his suit jacket, as did other Israeli diplomats sitting behind him and said: "We walk with the yellow star as a symbol of pride, a reminder that we swore to fight back to defend ourselves. Never again is now."
Video: UN Ambassador Gilad Erdan slams members for their silence / Credit: UN
Riyad Mansour, the Palestinian UN ambassador, also urged the Security Council to follow the General Assembly, end its paralysis, and demand "an end to this bloodshed, which constitutes an affront to humanity, war crimes, and crimes against humanity, and a clear and imminent danger for regional and international peace and security."
"Save those who still can be saved and bury in a dignified manner those who have perished," Mansour said.
US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield urged the divided Security Council – which has rejected four resolutions that would have responded to the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks and the ongoing war – to come together, saying "the humanitarian crisis in Gaza is growing more dire by the day."
Stressing that all innocent civilians must be protected, she said the council must call "for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages, address the immense humanitarian needs of Palestinian civilians in Gaza, affirm Israel's right to defend itself from terrorism and remind all actors that international humanitarian law must be respected." She reiterated President Joe Biden's calls for humanitarian pauses to get hostages out and allow aid in, and for safe passage for civilians.
Subscribe to Israel Hayom's daily newsletter and never miss our top stories!
