Eric Falt, a senior official at the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, sent for Israel ambassador to UNESCO, Nimrod Barkan to admonish Israel over a cartoon published in Haaretz on Wednesday, the Palestinian news agency, Ma’an reported.The cartoon that was published on November 4 as an expression of Israel’s wrath over the UNESCO’S decision to accept Palestine as a full member.
It shows the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister, Ehud Barak sending an air force squadron to attack Iran, with Netanyahu ordering, ‘And on your way back, hit the UNESCO office in Ramallah’.
Barkan was surprised when Falt handed him a copy of the cartoon and an official letter of protest signed by UNESCO’s director general, Irina Bokova.
Falt told Barkan the cartoon constituted incitement and a cartoon like this causes danger to the lives of UNESCO’s officials who are considered unarmed diplomats. He added that Israel has to protect these officials.
‘We understand that there is freedom of the press in Israel, but the government must prevent attacks on UNESCO” said Falt.
