Danon expressed that Fletcher’s comments “shocked and disturbed” him, accusing the U.N. official of making a statement that was “utterly inappropriate and deeply irresponsible,” which undermined “any notion of neutrality.”
“You boldly, as a high-ranking U.N. official, addressed the Security Council and mentioned genocide charges without presenting evidence, holding a mandate, or showing restraint,” Danon wrote in his response. “As a senior U.N. representative, it is your responsibility to avoid making prejudgments on complex international issues. However, you did exactly that before the Council. Instead of briefing the Council, you gave a political lecture.”
In a reply to Fox News Digital’s request for a comment, OCHA spokesperson Eri Kaneko stated that “As Mr. Fletcher highlighted in his Security Council speech, it is up to legal institutions to determine if genocide is occurring – Mr. Fletcher emphasized the necessity for the world to take decisive measures to prevent genocide and ensure adherence to international humanitarian law.”
Israeli Permanent Member to the United Nations Danny Danon speaks during a session of the Security Council at the New York City headquarters. (Israel United Nations mission)
When asked whether Fletcher was accusing Israel of deliberately killing and harming civilians, Kaneko said that the official’s words speak for themselves, as “not a single civilian in Gaza – teachers, artists, merchants, aid workers, hostages – has been spared.”
Danon questioned under whose authority Fletcher issued the accusation and said the U.N. official’s use of the word “genocide” was a “desecration and subversion of a term with unique force and weight.” He went on to say that what made Fletcher’s remarks “far worse” was the fact that Israel had “engaged with you and your office in good faith at the highest levels.”
The Israeli ambassador concluded his letter by turning the questions around on Fletcher, telling the OCHA chief to ask himself whether he had done enough to prevent Oct. 7, accelerate the release of the hostages and hold Hamas accountable.
Kaneko told Fox News Digital that “Mr. Fletcher has repeatedly and publicly spoken out against what he calls the horrendous Hamas-led attacks and called for the release of the hostages. Mr. Fletcher was deeply moved by his visit in February to the kibbutz of Nir Oz, where one in four people were killed or taken hostage.”
