Israel's Ambassador to UN Danny Danon: Israel has an ongoing dialogue with U.S. but its strike on Iran was an independent Israeli decision

Israel's Ambassador to UN Danny Danon: Israel has an ongoing dialogue with U.S. but its strike on Iran was an independent Israeli decision

Israel's Ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, has clarified that Israel's strike on Iran last week was an independent decision, separate from ongoing dialogues with the United States. The strike, which was carried out without prior consultation with the U.S., has drawn criticism from some quarters, including the U.S. government.

Danon emphasized that Israel's actions were taken in response to Iran's continued development of nuclear weapons, a threat that Israel views as an existential one. "We have an ongoing dialogue with the U.S., but our strike on Iran was an independent Israeli decision," he said in a statement.

The strike on Iran follows a series of escalations in the conflict between Israel and Palestinian militants in Gaza. Last week, the United Nations General Assembly voted overwhelmingly to demand an immediate, unconditional, and permanent ceasefire in Gaza, as well as the release of hostages held by Hamas and unrestricted access for the delivery of desperately needed food to 2 million Palestinians. The vote came with 149 votes in favor, 19 abstentions, and 12 countries, including the U.S., Israel, and 10 others, voting against the resolution [1].

The resolution also condemned the use of starvation as a method of warfare and the unlawful denial of humanitarian access. Israel's Ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, opposed the resolution, describing it as a "blood libel" and asserting that Israel is not using starvation as a weapon of war [1].

The vote in the General Assembly came ahead of a UN conference next week that aims to reinvigorate an international push for a two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians. The U.S. has urged countries not to attend this conference.

The humanitarian situation in Gaza remains dire, with experts and human rights workers warning of widespread hunger and the risk of famine if Israel does not fully lift its blockade and halt its military campaign. The U.N. has warned that the enclave of more than 2 million people is facing a catastrophic humanitarian crisis.

The U.S. has been critical of the General Assembly's resolution, arguing that it does nothing to free the hostages, improve the lives of civilians in Gaza, or bring the country closer to a ceasefire. The U.S. has also urged countries not to attend the upcoming UN conference on a two-state solution.

References:
[1] https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-857569
[2] https://www.wcvb.com/article/un-demands-gaza-ceasefire-aid-access/65050350