Multiple United Nations agencies on Monday paid tribute to the late Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, whose storied career was defined by the execution of thousands of political prisoners, drawing the ire of Israel’s mission to the United Nations.
The Security Council, the most powerful body in the United Nations, held A moment of silence was observed for Raisi and the late Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdullahian. the two died side by side Six Others were on board the helicopter that crashed while returning from Azerbaijan on Sunday. They were attending an inauguration event for a dam jointly constructed with Baku. Iran confirmed their deaths early Monday.
Mozambican Ambassador Pedro Commissario Afonso observed a moment of silence at the Security Council “in memory of the loss of life in the crash of President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Ebrahim Raisi.” Robert Wood, the U.S. deputy ambassador to the United Nations, attended the ceremony and praised Iranian officials.
Robert Wood, the United States Deputy Ambassador to the United Nations, observes a moment of silence in memory of former Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi at today’s United Nations Security Council meeting.
Note: Raisi represented a government calling for “Death to America.” pic.twitter.com/7bkihCLkgT
— Kassy Akiva (@KassyDillon) May 20, 2024
The head of another UN agency, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), also praised Raisi and Amir Abdullahian. In early May, Rafael Grossi visited Iran, which routinely violates the nuclear deal, blocked legitimate inspections of its nuclear facilities and has other problems with its relationship with the IAEA. “I’m not completely satisfied,” he declared.
Grossi released a statement of condolences on social media on Monday, writing: “Our thoughts are with their families and the Iranian people at this difficult time.”
I express my condolences on the tragic passing of President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdullahian, and other members of the delegation. Our thoughts are with their families and the people of Iran at this difficult time. pic.twitter.com/P79cfBv6Le
— Rafael Mariano Grossi (@rafaelmgrossi) May 20, 2024
The display at the UN, and particularly at the Security Council, drew Israeli ire, which Raisi regularly threatened to destroy.
“What a disgrace!!” Israeli U.N. Ambassador Gilad Erdan wrote on Monday in a video likening the tribute to a “moment of silence” to Adolf Hitler.
What a shame!!
The United Nations Security Council observed a moment of silence today in memory of genocidal Iranian President Raisi, who was responsible for the deaths of thousands of people. What will the Security Council do next? A moment of silence on the anniversary of Hitler’s death… pic.twitter.com/68n2OAHANT
— Ambassador Gilad Erdan (@giladerdan1) May 20, 2024
“As you have read, the United Nations Security Council observed a moment of silence today in memory of the mass-murdered President Raisi of Iran,” Erdan said in a video. “This group, which makes no effort to free the hostages, bows today to the man responsible for the deaths of thousands of people in Iran, Israel, and around the world.”
Erdan declared that the Council itself was a “danger to world peace.”
Raisi’s political career, starting with his time as a top prosecutor, was marked by an enormous amount of bloodshed. In the 1980s, Raisi participated in the decision-making process that led to the murders of the two men as part of a bureaucratic organization commonly known as the Death Penalty Commission. 5,000 and 30,000 Political prisoner. As president, Raisi responded to the government’s brutal crackdown on peaceful protests after the “morality police” bludgeoned 22-year-old Kurdish woman Mahsa Amini to death in September 2022. hijab It’s wrong.
Iranians living in Brazil protest the death of Mahsa Amini, an Iranian woman who died in Iran while in police custody, in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Friday, Sept. 23, 2022. (Andre Penner, File/The Associated Press)
Also, under Raisi’s rule, Iran played a key role in the massacre of an estimated 1,200 people, including children up to infants, and the abduction of around 250 others by the jihadist terrorist group Hamas on October 7. A Hamas spokesman told the BBC on October 7 that Raisi’s Iran “directly supported the attack.”
Graphic content warning: Caution — The house where Hamas killed an Israeli family at Kibbutz Beeri
The United Nations was not the only organization to honor Raisi on Monday. European Union President Charles Michel issued a statement claiming to speak on behalf of the entire EU: “I would like to express my deepest condolences for the deaths of President Raisi, Foreign Minister Abdellahan, and other members of their delegation and crew in a helicopter crash.” Stated. . Our thoughts are with your family. ” The U.S. State Department similarly expressed “official condolences,” and Senate Chaplain Barry Black offered prayers for “the people of Iran as they mourn the loss of their president.”
Instead of mourning, many Iranians have spent the past two days risking their lives to publicly celebrate Raisi’s death. Following news of the helicopter crash, Iranian opposition media released footage of fireworks from Tehran over the city, and reported Iranians happily sharing candy and other sweets. has spread.
Iranian Regime Began On Tuesday, it forced the public to mourn, organizing large funeral rallies for Raisi and Amir Abdullahian. Iranian state broadcaster Press TV claimed that “millions” of Iranians took part in funeral processions in the country’s major cities, including the largest city of Tehran.
