MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Israeli President Reuven Rivlin on Monday urged UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to assist in stopping "discrimination against Israel" within the United Nations.
Earlier in the day, the Israeli president and UN chief met in Jerusalem to discuss the situation in the region, specifically what was going on in Syria.
"I call upon you, Mr. Secretary-General, to work to end discrimination against Israel in some branches of the organization you're heading," Rivlin was quoted as saying by Ynet media outlet.
In response, Guterres assured Rivlin that he intended to handle relations with all states without bias.
"Impartiality means treating all states equally, and I am totally committed to that in my action and in everything I can do for the organization I lead. I do believe that in particular when you mention those that call for the destruction of the State of Israel that that is a form of modern anti-Semitism, but you also understand that I sometimes disagree with positions with the government of Israel or any other government, and that is absolutely normal in a society where many of your citizens have exactly the same expressions of opinions," Guterres said, as quoted by the media outlet.
Guterres started his three-day trip to Israel and Palestine on Monday. He is expected to meet with both Israeli and Palestinian leadership to discuss the prospects of reviving the peace process.
