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On August 19, local time, on his last day as Israel's permanent representative to the United Nations, Erdan accepted an interview with Israeli media i24NEWS at the UN headquarters in New York, USA. Erdan claimed that the UN building has been "distorted" and "should be closed and wiped off the face of the earth." The interview was released on the 20th.

"This is the building where I have worked for the past four years," Erdan claimed to the camera. "On the one hand, I am satisfied with my fight and work here; on the other hand, this building may look beautiful from the outside, but it has been distorted inside, which makes me feel very painful and frustrated."

Erdan then went so far as to say: "The UN building needs to be closed and wiped off the face of the earth."

Public information shows that Erdan, 53, is a member of Israel's right-wing Likud group. He served as a member of parliament from 2003 to 2020 and has held several ministerial positions, including Minister of Public Security and Minister of the Interior. From May 2020 to August 2024, Erdan served as Israel's permanent representative to the United Nations, and in 2021 he temporarily served as Israel's ambassador to the United States.

When asked about his plans after leaving his post as permanent representative to the United Nations, Erdan said, "I know I have a mission." He believes that he will lead the Likud Party after Prime Minister Netanyahu.

Screenshot of Israeli media video of Erdan being interviewed at the UN headquarters

According to the Jerusalem Post, Erdan’s remarks were in response to the International Court of Justice.rulingIn January this year, the International Court of Justice of the United Nations in The Hague, Netherlands, ruled on South Africa's accusation that Israel was committing "genocide" in Gaza. The court jury decided to take emergency measures against Israel, ordering Israel to take all measures within its power to prevent genocide and to take measures to improve the humanitarian situation.

On the 19th, Erdan once again slammed the ICJ's ruling as "distorted and immoral" and "part of a series of rulings against Israel by the United Nations, agencies and organizations." He added: "This ruling is not legally binding... I have no doubt that the United States will veto any anti-Israel decision that may be submitted to the Security Council after the court's formal ruling."

As Israel's former permanent representative to the United Nations, Erdan has repeatedly criticized the United Nations since the Gaza War.

On the morning of May 10, Erdan took the stage before the General Assembly voted on whether to grant membership to Palestine. He accused the United Nations of tolerating "murderous dictators" and then raised a portable electric shredder to shred the cover of the UN Charter booklet.

Erdan shreds the UN Charter UN website

On August 13, the UN Security Council held an emergency meeting on the situation in Gaza. Erdan, who was about to end his term, delivered a farewell speech that day, claiming that Israel was "the most moral country in the world." This statement once again sparked controversy.

On August 19, local time, Israel's new permanent representative to the United Nations, Danny Danon, submitted his letter of appointment to UN Secretary-General Guterres and officially took office. Danny Danon served as Israel's permanent representative to the United Nations from 2015 to 2020.

Source | Observer.com