Hamas, PFLP partners to speak at UN event marking 50 years of ‘occupation’
NEW YORK – Organizations that partner with Hamas and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine will participate in the “United Nations Forum to Mark Fifty Years of Occupation,” which will be held at the UN headquarters on Thursday and Friday.
The conference, organized by the Palestinian mission to the international body, will include five panels on subjects such as “Beyond Occupation: The Path ahead to Palestinian Independence and a Just Peace,” “The Costs and Consequences of 50 Years of Occupation” and “The Gaza Strip: an integral part of the state of Palestine.”
According to the intelligence obtained by Israeli mission to the UN, the group Al Haq, whose representative will speak at the event, collaborates with the PFLP.
Earlier this month, the PFLP claimed responsibility for the murder of Israeli policewoman Hadas Malka, killed in a stabbing attack in Jerusalem on June 16.
In addition, the Israeli mission said the information they received shows that the Al Mezan Center for Human Rights, another group that will be at the conference, works regularly with Hamas.
PFLP and Hamas are internationally recognized terrorist organizations. After learning of their partners’ participations, Ambassador to the UN Danny Danon on Wednesday accused the UN of “colluding with supporters of terrorism seeking to harm Israel.”
“It is beyond comprehension that UN funds are supporting organizations that aid terrorists and incite against Israel,” he said. “We call on the secretary-general to intervene immediately and prevent these individuals from appearing at the UN.”
When approached by The Jerusalem Post, the office of Secretary-General Antonio Guterres distanced itself from the upcoming summit.
According to a representative of the UN chief, Danon’s complaints were received, but because the event is being organized by the Committee on the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People and not by Guterres, the secretary-general has no authority over it.
The Palestinians’ UN conference stirred controversy already earlier this month, as the schedule for the event was released.
Former foreign minister Shlomo Ben-Ami and Joint List MK Aida Touma-Sliman are set to speak on Thursday and Friday.
In addition, executive director of B’Tselem Hagai El-Ad, Rebecca Vilkomerson of Jewish Voice for Peace, as well as Secretary-General of the PLO Saeb Erekat will participate, along with UN officials, diplomats and scholars.
Although he did not comment on Ben-Ami’s participation, Danon had strongly condemned Touma-Sliman’s scheduled appearance, which he said “crosses all redlines.”
“It is shameful that a member of Knesset is abusing her position and is working together with the Palestinians to harm Israel at the UN,” he said.
According to him, the two day event is “anti-Israel, with the sole purpose of defaming our country.”