Fearing Moscow, Israel’s deputy envoy, not Erdan, to speak at UN on Ukraine

Jacob Magid is The Times of Israel's US bureau chief

Israeli Deputy Ambassador to the UN Noa Furman addresses the UN General Assembly, October 16, 2018. (UN webtv)
Israeli Deputy Ambassador to the UN Noa Furman addresses the UN General Assembly, October 16, 2018. (UN webtv)

An Israeli official confirms to The Times of Israel that Ambassador Gilad Erdan will not address the General Assembly debate on the Ukraine invasion, following orders from Foreign Minister Yair Lapid who wants Israel to keep a lower profile ahead of its vote in favor of a resolution condemning Russia.

Instead of Erdan, Deputy Ambassador to the UN Noa Furman will address the General Assembly later today.

In a not so subtle dig at Erdan, a Jerusalem-based source familiar with the matter tells The Times of Israel that Lapid wants to be sure that whoever addresses the plenum will stick to the Israeli government’s messaging, as the foreign minister wants to avoid a diplomatic spat.

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