Ambassador Erdan's speech for the UN's 75th Anniversary

by Gilad Erdan

Thank you Mr. President,

My grandfather Chaim arrived at Auschwitz with his wife Bracha and their eight children. Within minutes of their arrival, Bracha and seven of their children, my aunts and uncles, were taken away and sent to the gas chambers.

In 1945, as the world was rebuilding from the ruins of the Second World War, my grandfather Chaim and my grandmothers Clari and Rachel, were rebuilding their lives after surviving the horrors of the Holocaust.

As the international community founded the United Nations with the goal of maintaining international peace and security, my grandparents immigrated to Israel with the goal of starting a new, better and safer life for themselves and for the Jewish people.

When I was first elected to the Israeli Knesset in 2003, my grandmother Rachel told me that in the midst of the hell of Auschwitz, she could never have imagined that Jewish sovereignty would one day be renewed in our ancient homeland, let alone that her grandson would serve in the parliament of that sovereign state.

Today, her grandson represents the world’s only Jewish state before the organization tasked with guaranteeing that never again will anyone have to endure the unimaginable pain and suffering that my grandparents, and millions of others, endured.

I speak before you today, on behalf of the State of Israel and the Jewish people to assure that this institution honors that promise.

The 75th anniversary of the UN is indeed cause for celebration, but it is also a time for introspection.

In its early years, the United Nations was an undeniable force for good in the world. However, over time, this organization has allowed politics to steer it away from the primary goal enshrined in its mandate. While it still plays an important role in eliminating hunger, promoting equality, protecting the environment and much else, it has neglected promoting peace and security.

Just in the last few weeks, the UN was given the opportunity to reaffirm its commitment to that goal, but once again, squandered it.

Iran remains the biggest threat to peace and security in the Middle East, and beyond. Yet, instead of extending the arms embargo on Iran and preventing it from strengthening its capabilities, nearly all members of the Security Council chose inaction and allowed the embargo to expire.

In response to the signing of the Abraham Accords, this organization again chose inaction. Rather than celebrate this historic event and using it as a catalyst for further peace in the region, this organization reacted with indifference, at best. I hope to see a different reaction to the normalization of relations between Israel and Sudan.

Inaction should not be an option for an organization created to guarantee peace and security.

Mr. President,

As the world faces an unprecedented health and economic crisis it is more important than ever that the United Nations continue to play a key role in creating a better world for all.

However, in order to remain relevant in the next 75 years, it must also fulfill its primary purpose of promoting peace and security.

Thank you. ​​