Israel’s permanent representative to the United Nations, Gilad Erdan, was asked to leave the General Assembly and allegedly detained for interrupting Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi’s speech. Erdan had raised an image of Mahsa Amini, a young Iranian woman who died in police custody last year.
During his address, President Raisi accused the United States of exacerbating the conflict in Ukraine and asserted that Washington’s “project to Americanize the world has failed.” The Israeli delegation walked out during the speech, but Erdan approached the lectern while holding the picture of Mahsa Amini, whose death sparked violent protests in Iran.
As seen in video footage, Erdan was escorted out of the hall by security guards and guided through the UN building. Some reports claimed that he was “detained,” although a UN spokesperson disputed this characterization, stating that Erdan had only been spoken to by UN security and that no detention had occurred. Erdan, however, referred to his treatment as a “brief detainment” in subsequent posts on social media.
Erdan shared several news articles on his social media account, shedding light on his interruption and subsequent removal from the General Assembly. He expressed a determination to continually fight for truth and expose what he perceived as moral distortions within the UN. Erdan emphasized the need for accountability for those who offer support and hospitality to murderers and anti-Semites.
The circumstances surrounding Mahsa Amini’s death remain heavily contested. While activist groups and Western-backed non-governmental organizations claim that she was beaten to death by police after her arrest for not wearing her hijab properly, the Iranian government asserted that she succumbed to a pre-existing medical condition. In September of the previous year, Iranian authorities released a video that showed Amini collapsing in a police station lobby while standing alone.
The incident involving Erdan’s interruption and subsequent ejection from the General Assembly highlights the deep-rooted tensions between Israel and Iran. It also draws attention to the ongoing controversies surrounding human rights abuses in Iran and the attempts by different parties to shape and control the narrative.
Erdan’s action of holding up the image of Mahsa Amini serves as a reminder of the tragic and often violent consequences faced by individuals who dissent or challenge established norms within certain countries. It raises questions about the role and effectiveness of international organizations such as the United Nations in addressing such issues and promoting human rights globally.
Overall, the incident involving Gilad Erdan’s interruption of President Raisi’s speech at the UN General Assembly highlights the complex dynamics within the international community and underscores the ongoing struggles for justice, freedom, and accountability in various parts of the world. The divergent narratives surrounding Mahsa Amini’s death further underscore the importance of seeking the truth, promoting transparency, and holding those responsible for human rights abuses to account.
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