Subscribe to Print Edition | Thu., June 12, 2008 Sivan 9, 5768 | | Israel Time: 13:22 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Car Rental Books Peres Conference Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

Last update - 04:41 12/06/2008 Diplomats scold Israel for delay in naming new UN envoy By Shlomo Shamir, Haaretz Correspondent Tags: Diplomats, UN, Livni, Olmert NEW YORK - Diplomats here say the chronic delay in appointing a new Israeli ambassador to the United Nations is causing scandalous damage to the Israeli mission's ability to prepare for the 63rd General Assembly meeting, where Israel is expected to face greater criticism in debates on Middle Eastern issues, particularly on relations with the Palestinians. Dan Gillerman will next month wrap up his tenure as UN ambassador, which lasted five and a half years, and has made it clear he will not be postponing his return to Israel. "I won't remain a day longer than necessary," Gillerman told close staffers recently. Advertisement The UN has already announced the appointment of a president for the annual General Assembly, which opens September 16, thereby signaling to member countries to get moving with their preparations. UN legations got a head-start anyway this year to get ready for an especially crowded assembly schedule, covering such urgent global problems as a food shortage and energy crisis. The prevalent view at UN headquarters is that the situation in the Middle East, and particularly what is termed here "the escalating humanitarian crisis" in the Gaza Strip, are expected to occupy center stage in assembly debates. In off-the-record conversations in the past few days, senior Western diplomats who are pro-Israel were surprised and perturbed by "the inexplicable foot-dragging" in the decision-making process in Jerusalem over appointing a new Israeli ambassador. "What in Israel looks like a delay for political or bureaucratic reasons is perceived in New York as an act of negligence, which has the potential to undermine Israel's standing and ability to act in the UN arena," a senior diplomat told Haaretz Wednesday. "During Gillerman's tenure, a significant improvement was achieved in Israel's standing in the world body, and it is a great pity that Israel is coming across as a member state for whom filling the post of UN mission chief is not top priority for its foreign ministry." The heads of major Jewish organizations who maintain close ties to the political leadership in Israel are also finding it hard to understand - and explain - the fact that Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni keeps stalling on the appointment. "I'm afraid that the crisis in the relations between Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Foreign Minister Livni makes the timing problematic for appointing a new UN ambassador," a prominent Jewish activist in New York said. "Any candidate acceptable to the foreign minister will not have the support of the prime minister, and any candidate the prime minister prefers will encounter opposition from the foreign minister." Jewish community leaders reportedly "vetoed" several people who have been mentioned in the Israeli press as candidates for the post. They conveyed their objections to the Prime Minister's Bureau, explaining that the post of Israeli ambassador to the UN must be filled by someone who is also acceptable to the local Jewish community. "The outgoing ambassador, Gillerman, contributed a great deal to explaining Israel's political positions within the community," one Jewish leader said. "It is very important that the next ambassador also be aware of the fact that a considerable part of his job concerns relations with the community." In conversations with his confidants, Gillerman revealed that he has received tempting offers to enter politics. However, he said that he has already made up his mind to return to the business world, and that he intended to be actively involved in business ventures. Related articles: UN expert: Palestinian terror 'inevitable' result of occupation UN agent: Apartheid regime in territories worse than S. Africa UN expert says U.S., EU, others ignoring rights abuses by Israel Ban backs Wiesenthal Center's call for UN session on terror Bookmark to del.icio.us   Knowing when to fold Ehud Olmert tells Kadima to begin preparations for party primaries. Cost of kashrut Meat prices set to soar after raid on biggest kosher slaughterhouse in U.S.   1.   Diplomat`s Stance Is Ridiculous 04:42  |  Brad 12/06/08   2.   UN ENVOY 04:43  |  Garry 12/06/08   3.   Local Jewish Community wants a 05:12  |  New Yorker 12/06/08   4.   Quit the UN 05:45  |  Luther 12/06/08   5.   may be you should quit while you are ahead 06:05  |  reza SHAH 12/06/08   6.   What Difference Would It Make? 06:12  |  Jeff Northridge 12/06/08   7.   Brad of Canada @#1, right on! 06:34  |  Akiva P 12/06/08   8.   Move the UN to Algeria 07:05  |  Tom 12/06/08   9.   Why is Israel reacting defensively? 07:20  |  Jean Van Daem 12/06/08   10.   Israel: Time needed to pick the RIGHT NUT... 07:26  |  Magnify 12/06/08   11.   Performance of U.N. (Useless Nut) monitors... 07:57  |  The Archives 12/06/08   12.   delay in naming 09:21  |  rachel simson 12/06/08   13.   The American Jewish Lobby flexes its muscles 09:22  |  Clickfool 12/06/08   14.   Drivel 10:23  |  Derrick 12/06/08   15.   #13 Clickfool 12:37  |  Sarah 12/06/08

Read & React Bradley Burston: When smart countries - like Israel - go dumb Responses: 30 Gaddafi: Obama fears Israel may kill him like it did JFK Responses: 107 Israel concerned Hezbollah may try to 'settle score' over Mughniyeh Responses: 47 Rabbi: Religious settlers can violate Shabbat to build Responses: 35 Nadav Shragai: Israel must retake Gaza before it's too late Responses: 6 Rosner's Domain The UN's Complicity With Evil Lieberman for VP? Only 18% want it (WTR) Threatening Iran is wrong (WTR) Poll: Philip Roth, Victor Frankl or Leon Uris? On a par with the policies of President Bush More Headlines 13:10 Barak to Kadima: Hold primary soon or we'll force elections 11:58 Report: Israel may free Lebanon terrorist Samir Kuntar this month 13:09 Israel fears Hezbollah may try to 'settle score' over Mughniyeh 12:46 Malik Obama: As president, my brother would be good for Jews 11:39 IDF kills two militants rigging explosives near Gaza fence 13:20 Rabbi: Religious settlers can violate Shabbat to build 13:14 Israel offers to pay African states to absorb refugees 08:53 Police: Probe into murder of top lawyer will be long, complicated 09:14 Official: Israel has no illusions on truce, expects Gaza flare-up 10:57 Dan Halutz to publish memoir on service, Second Lebanon War 13:06 Int'l. journalists: Israel must release report on Reuters cameraman death 11:36 Gadhafi: Obama fears Israel will assassinate him like it did JFK Previous Editions Select Day 11 jun 10 jun 09 jun 08 jun 06 jun 05 jun 04 jun 03 jun 02 jun 01 jun 30 may 29 may

Special Offers Advertisement Jerusalem of Gold Luxury apartments in Jerusalem's finest location Your vacation starts here Israel Travel Center Guaranteed Lowest Rates Istudy Learn Hebrew in 3 months The Terraces Your Ultimate Coastal Address On Nitza Boulevard, North Netanya Pardes Institute Summer Sessions http://www.pardes.org.il/ Free the Palestinians from: Corrupt Kleptocracy, Tyrannical Theocracy, Abysmal Anarchy Fattal Hotel Chain Perfectly located hotels on best resorts of Israel. ISRAEL BONDS Build Israel Israel bonds - a multi-purpose way to celebrate Israel's 60th Eldan Rent a Car Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on all online reservations Junkyard Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt

Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Underground | Site rules |

Real Estate in Israel | Travel to Israel with Haaretz | Hotels Israel | Restaurants Israel | Tourist attractions Israel | Shops Israel

birthright Israel

Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.

© Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved