Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, delivered a sharp rebuke of France during a heated General Assembly session addressing the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and its impact on global shipping.

The emergency discussion came after a Bahrain-backed resolution failed to pass in the Security Council, prompting the issue to be brought before the wider General Assembly. Speaking at the session, Danon adopted a notably blunt tone, directing criticism at the French delegation.

Referring to international reports, he asserted that ships owned by French interests were able to pass through the Strait of Hormuz without obstruction, while vessels from other nations were stopped by Iran. Turning directly to France’s ambassador, Danon questioned whether any payments had been made in exchange for safe passage.

He warned that such concessions only embolden Iran, describing its conduct in the waterway as “economic terrorism” aimed at disrupting a vital route for global commerce. Danon argued that countries that comply with these demands are not preserving stability but instead encouraging further pressure tactics.

He cautioned that giving in to what he described as coercive behavior would lead to higher costs and increased risks over time, urging the international community to stand firm and reject what he characterized as a pattern of extortion rather than accommodate it.

{Matzav.com}