Former UN envoy slams lack of permanent ambassador

Amb. Danny Gillerman: Absence of Permanent Israeli UN Rep. is "shameful" and "irresponsible."

By MORDECHAI I. TWERSKY
gillerman 224.88 (photo credit: Ariel Jerozolimski )
gillerman 224.88
(photo credit: Ariel Jerozolimski )
Danny Gillerman, former Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations, has criticized the Israeli government for not having appointed a permanent Israeli representative to the United Nations for more than six months.
“I think the fact that it hasn’t been filled for over 200 days -- for over six months --  is shameful, irresponsible, and I think we could pay a very high price for it,” said Ambassador Gillerman, who served from 2003-2008.
Israel has been without a permanent representative since the departure of Gabriella Shalev last August. The post is being filled on a temporary basis by Meron Reuben, who also serves as the Israeli ambassador to Colombia.
“The fact that Israel has no permanent representative there is harmful and damaging, and every day that passes by without us having a major, experienced presence there is a total loss for Israel,” Gillerman said, “and I think is viewed not by the UN, but by the rest of the world as gross negligence.”