Israel Ambassador Prosor writes letter to UN about map erasing Israel, exposed by PMW

14 May 2013

Excellency,

I wish to draw your attention to a startling event that took place earlier this month. On May 2, 2013, officials from the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) attended an event in southern Lebanon. At the event, Ann Dismorr, Director of UNRWA Affairs in Lebanon, posed for photos with a map that erased the State of Israel and identified the geographic area as "Palestine."

The map identified "Palestine" as the geographic area extending from the Mediterranean Sea to the Jordan River. The State of Israel was conspicuously absent. It doesn't take a PHD in Middle Eastern history or geography to realize that a map of the Middle East that doesn't include Israel is deeply and profoundly prejudiced.

Many in the international community doubt UNRWA's impartiality and motives. Israel supports UNRWA's important humanitarian work; however, actions that encourage incitement, conflict and, ultimately, violence undermine this work. Embracing a map that rejects Israel's right to exist is outrageous and contrary to the integrity, independence and impartiality that UNRWA stands for.

Knowing the importance that you place on coexistence and understanding between peoples, I am sure that you will be dismayed about this event. The integrity and impartiality of UNRWA demands that the UN immediately look into this matter.

Please accept, Excellency, the assurance of my highest consideration.

Yours truly,

[Signed] Ron Prosor
Ambassador
Permanent Representative