Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu thanks PM Modi for 'supporting' Israel by rejecting terror organisation- Shahed's request to obtain observer status in UN

Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu has thanked Prime Minister Modi for standing with Israel against terrorism by rejecting request of n-governmental organisation “Shahed” of Palestine to obtain status of an observer in United Nations (UN).

In a tweet, Netanyahu thanked India for supporting Israel in UN.

Israel introduced at a meeting of ECOSOC draft decision “L.15” on June 6 titled “Application of n-governmental organisation Palestinian Association for Human Rights– Witness for consultative status with Ecomic and Social Council” that sought to return to NGO Committee Witness' application for consultative status, a very rare occurrence.

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decision was opted by a recorded vote of 28 in favour to 15 against, with five abstentions. Countries voting in favour of decision were Brazil, Cana, Colombia, France, Germany, India, Ireland, Japan, Korea, Ukraine, United Kingdom, and United States.

Council decided to return NGO’s application as organisation failed to present important information when its credentials were being considered during Committee on n-Governmental Organisations earlier this year, according to a record of meeting on UN website.

" Ecomic and Social Council decides to return application of Palestinian Association for Human Rights – Witness to Committee on n-Governmental Organizations," it said.

Israel’s Permanent Representative to United Nations Danny Dan, introducing draft decision, said NGOs bring a very important perspective to United Nations. While a consultative status gives a n-governmental organisation special standing at United Nations, it also comes with responsibility of providing a full picture of its activities.
     
When Palestinian Association for Human Rights h presented its credentials, Israel posed objection, he said, ding that shortly after end of session, UN learned that organisation omitted several important facts, including its ties with militant group Hamas, which rules Gaza Strip. 
     
He said organisation promotes Hamas’ goals in Leban and in light of this new information, Israel submitted draft to allow Committee to seek furr information.
     
representative of India, ting important work NGOs contribute to UN, said that given current information available, her delegation voted in favour of “L.15”, according to information on UN website.

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India’s position on Middle East Peace Process has been consistent and clear. India supports a negotiated solution resulting in a sovereign, independent, viable and united State of Palestine, with East Jerusalem as its capital, living within secure and recognised borders, side by side at peace with Israel as endorsed in Quartet Romap and relevant UNSC Resolutions. 

India has also always played a proactive role in garnering support for Palestinian cause in multilateral fora.

Following vote, a press release by Israel’s Permanent Mission to UN said Palestinian organisation, registered in Leban under name "Witness", ostensibly deals with rights of Palestinian refugees in Leban.     

However in recent months, Israel's security establishment has revealed that “Witness belongs to Hamas movement and acts on its behalf against Israel as part of a network of institutions and organisations terrorist organisation operates outside Gaza Strip."

Last March, Israeli Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Benjamin Netanyahu signed an order declaring "Witness" a terrorist organisation in Israel.
     
press release ded that diplomatic outreach was me with many foreign ministries in order to thwart support in world's capitals for Witness. 
     
“ joint political activity bore fruit, and in vote held today in ECOSOC, 28 out of 47 countries in Council objected to granting terrorist organization special status,” it said.

(With PTI inputs)