Netanyahu Blasts UN For Giving Voice to Iranian Leader
Reminds world body of Holocaust, and accuses some of double-standard
Updated 5:01 PM CDT, Thu, Sep 24, 2009
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu tore into fellow world leaders at the United Nations Thursday for giving Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad a forum.
Giving the Iranian leader, who has repeatedly scoffed at the Holocaust, "legitimacy" brought shame to the world body," Netanyahu thundered. He recalled in detail the war that sent 6 million Jews to their deaths in concentration camps and noted it was the UN that created the Jewish state. Although Netanyahu commended those who boycotted or walked out on Ahmadinejad's speech, including the U.S., Australia, Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, New Zealand and Seweden, he but condemned those who indulged the fiery Iranian leader.
"To those who gave this Holocaust denier a hearing, I say on behalf of my people. ... Have you no shame? Have you no decency?" Netanyahu said. "What a disgrace. What a mockery of the charter of the United Nations."
Netanyahu accused the world body of being silent on attacks on Israelis from Hamas, while condemning Israel for its offensive in the Gaza Strip last January. He did draw applause when he talked about the need for a Palestinian state.
In his speech, Ahmadinejad accused Israel of “inhuman policies” and “racist ambitions” in its treatment of Palestinians,” and accused the U.S. of bringing “war, bloodshed, aggression, terror and intimidation” to Iraq and Afghanistan.
Later in the evening at about 6 p.m., Netanyahu, was scheduled to speak at the 92nd Street Y in Manhattan. You can watch the livestream here.
Get more: MSNBC, Jerusalem Post
First Published: Sep 24, 2009 2:13 PM CDT
You Might Like
You have 2000 characters left
