UN calls Israeli envoy's shredding of UN charter 'theatric'

By Rabia Iclal Turan

WASHINGTON (AA) - The UN criticized Israel's ambassador to the UN for his act of shredding a copy of the UN Charter on stage at the General Assembly on Friday, calling it a theatrical action and urging all members to respect the UN Charter.

"We don't comment on the various remarks made by different ambassadors and the theatrics, both of the past and the present, are things that are part and parcel of the presentations the member states make," said UN Deputy Spokesman Farhan Haq when asked about Gilad Erdan's actions ahead of the vote on the reevaluation of Palestine's UN membership.

"Regarding the charter, obviously, this is an organization that is premised on respect for the UN Charter, and all of the member states have pledged to uphold the UN Charter, and we expect them to fulfill that obligation," he added.

The UN General Assembly on Friday overwhelmingly endorsed a resolution calling for the reevaluation of Palestine's UN membership bid and granting additional rights.

The resolution, which was spearheaded by the UAE (on behalf of the Arab Group), was adopted by overwhelming consensus with 143 member states voting in favor, 9 against and 25 abstentions.

Co-sponsored by Türkiye along with nearly 80 member states, the resolution expressed "deep regret and concern" over veto of the US at the UN Security Council on April 18.