Ex-Jerusalem deputy mayor: India is Israel's strongest partner, UN has lost credibility
Fleur Hassan-Nahoum says the UN has abandoned its principles over Gaza while India remains Israel's most trusted strategic partner
As diplomatic pressure over the Gaza war mounts worldwide, former Jerusalem deputy mayor Fleur Hassan-Nahoum has spoken out bluntly on global politics, the role of the United Nations and tensions in the Middle East. She said the UN had strayed from its founding principles during the Gaza war and that whatever little credibility it had left worldwide has now been completely wiped out.
Hassan-Nahoum alleged that the UN is taking a one-sided stance against Israel and spreading false claims of starvation in Gaza. She said several other dangerous and severe conflicts are ongoing around the world, but the UN and other global institutions are targeting only Israel. Speaking about the UN agency UNRWA, she said evidence has emerged of direct involvement by the agency's employees in the killings of October 7, 2023. She said UNRWA's neutrality has been completely compromised by sheltering terrorists within its system.
On the future of Gaza and the rehabilitation of its people, Hassan-Nahoum put forward a plan. She said the first condition for peace in Gaza is the complete removal of Hamas's hardline leadership from power. She said no settlement or peace deal is possible in Gaza until Hamas fighters lay down their arms and surrender.
She compared Gaza's administrative structure directly to a criminal "mafia" rule. She said Hamas steals international humanitarian rations meant for Gaza's ordinary people and sells them to pay its fighters. She said rehabilitation and development of Gaza's ordinary population is completely impossible without eliminating this corrupt and violent system entirely.
On the possible talks between the United States and Iran, Hassan-Nahoum said a lasting agreement between the two countries is very difficult, since earlier peace agreements have completely failed on the ground. She said it is not possible to reach a peace agreement with countries or organisations driven by a mindset of destruction, and that the US leadership now understands this. She said even if a temporary agreement is reached, it will not last long.
Clarifying Israel's position on Iran's nuclear programme, Hassan-Nahoum said the enriched nuclear material Iran has stockpiled must be completely destroyed. She said Iran should be permanently banned from any further nuclear enrichment, saying that is the only way the entire Middle East region can be kept safe from the threat of a major nuclear war.
Praising bilateral relations between India and Israel, Hassan-Nahoum described India as Israel's strongest, most trustworthy and strategic partner. She said India is not just a major trade partner but also plays a very important role in bringing peace and stability to the world, and that India should lead in shaping the new global order that is emerging.
She said the two countries are rapidly expanding cooperation in trade, high-tech, defence and security. India and Israel are working together on the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) project, which connects India, the Middle East, Israel and Europe. She also said the I2U2 group, comprising India, Israel, the United States and the UAE, is bringing about major change in the region's economic progress. She said these projects would open new paths to economic prosperity for the entire world.
