The United States’ delegation boycotted Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s speech to the UN General Assembly on Wednesday. The Canadian delegation left the assembly as he took the podium.
A US spokesman announced the decision on Wednesday morning, citing Ahmadinejad’s anti-Israel comments while in New York and the fact that the address fell on Yom Kippur.
“Over the past couple of days, we’ve seen Mr. Ahmadinejad once again use his trip to the UN not to address the legitimate aspirations of the Iranian people but to instead spout paranoid theories and repulsive slurs against Israel,” said a spokesperson for the U.S. Mission to the United Nations. “It’s particularly unfortunate that Mr. Ahmadinejad will have the platform of the UN General Assembly on Yom Kippur, which is why the United States has decided not to attend.”
Israel’s delegation was also absent — because of Yom Kippur. Previously, Israeli, American, some European and other diplomats have walked out of Ahmadinejad’s UN addresses. This year, Israel’s Ambassador to the United Nations, Ron Prosor, urged all countries to boycott the speech. “Any country that sits in during Ahmadinejad’s speech is in violation of the United Nations Charter,” which forbids member states from threatening other member states, Prosor told the Times of Israel two weeks ago.
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was leaving Wednesday for the US, and was set to address the assembly on Thursday.
Get The Times of Israel's Daily Edition
by email and never miss our top stories
By signing up, you agree to the
terms
Bridging the US-Israel divide
While the heart of The Times of Israel’s work takes place in Israel, so many of Jerusalem’s actions are influenced by those in Washington’s halls of power.
As ToI’s US bureau chief, I work to gain access to decision-makers in the United States government so our readers can understand the US-Israel relationship beyond the platitudes evident in public statements.
I'm proud of our ability to inform without sensationalizing, our dedication to be fast while ensuring accuracy, and our determination to present Israel's entire, complex story.
Your support through The Times of Israel Community helps us continue to keep readers around the world properly informed about the critical Israel-US relationship. Do you appreciate our news coverage? If so, please join the ToI Community today.
- Jacob Magid, The Times of Israel's US bureau chief
Yes, I'll join
Yes, I'll join
Already a member? Sign in to stop seeing this
You're a dedicated reader
We’re really pleased that you’ve read X Times of Israel articles in the past month.
That’s why we started the Times of Israel eleven years ago - to provide discerning readers like you with must-read coverage of Israel and the Jewish world.
So now we have a request. Unlike other news outlets, we haven’t put up a paywall. But as the journalism we do is costly, we invite readers for whom The Times of Israel has become important to help support our work by joining The Times of Israel Community.
For as little as $6 a month you can help support our quality journalism while enjoying The Times of Israel AD-FREE, as well as accessing exclusive content available only to Times of Israel Community members.
Thank you,
David Horovitz, Founding Editor of The Times of Israel
Join Our Community
Join Our Community
Already a member? Sign in to stop seeing this