United Nations, Sep 13: Israel on Friday criticized Pakistan at the UN Security Council, stating that Islamabad cannot alter the fact that Al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden was sheltered and killed on its soil. Israel accused Pakistan of “double standards” in its approach to terrorism.
“When bin Laden was eliminated in Pakistan, the question was not about targeting a terrorist on foreign soil; it was why a terrorist was given shelter,” said Israel’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Danny Danon, addressing Pakistan’s envoy Asim Iftikhar Ahmad. “No one received immunity then, and there can be no immunity for Hamas today,” he added.
The exchange occurred during a Security Council meeting focused on Israel’s recent attack on Hamas leaders in Doha, Qatar. In response, Pakistan’s ambassador Ahmad condemned Israel’s actions as “illegal and unprovoked aggression,” accusing Israel of consistently violating international law through military operations in Gaza, Syria, Lebanon, Iran, and Yemen.
Danon referenced the 24th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, highlighting the UN Security Council’s resolution prohibiting nations from harboring or funding terrorists. “Any government that does so violates binding obligations. That principle was clear then and must be upheld today,” he said.
Ahmad rebuked Danon, calling Israel an “aggressor” and “serial violator of the UN Charter” while accusing it of using the Council to “mask its own illegal actions.” Danon countered that the core issue is the application of double standards. “You cannot change the fact that Osama bin Laden was in Pakistan and killed on your territory. Consider the standards you apply to your country versus those you apply to Israel,” he said.
The US conducted a special operation in May 2011 in Abbottabad, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, eliminating Osama bin Laden, who had been hiding in Pakistan.
This confrontation underscores the continuing tension between Israel and Pakistan at international forums, particularly regarding responses to terrorism and military interventions.