Prof. Gabriella Shalev, Israel’s newly-appointed ambassador to the United Nations told Israel Radio on Wednesday that she is shocked over the VIP welcome given to Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

Shalev commented that there was a protest against his attendance on Tuesday, another scheduled for Wednesday, yet he is greeted with open arms in the UN, something that should outrage the community. The ambassador stressed his presence should be objectionable to the greater community, not just the Jews.

Ambassador Shalev stated when she visited Washington the attitude towards Israel was a warm one but the situation in the United Nations is quite different. She was quick to add that UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon appears sympathetic to Israel and current realities, but the atmosphere in the body, which represents 199 nations is quite a different one, not necessarily a pro-Israel forum.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)