Pinkas. Usually fluent
צילום: מיכאל קרמר
'Embarrassing speech' delaying envoy's appointment?
Many estimate Alon Pinkas won't be named Israel's next UN ambassador following 'unfocused address' he delivered in New York. Pinkas: If anyone doesn't want me as ambassador, they should give professional reasons
WASHINGTON – Was an embarrassing speech delivered by Alon Pinkas the reason for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's decision to delay the appointment of Israel's next ambassador to the United Nations? According to Pinkas, some people are trying to thwart his bid using irrelevant claims. Meanwhile, many estimate that he won't be appointed ambassador eventually.
The discussed speech was delivered on November 16 at an event in honor of Tel Aviv's 100th anniversary, which was held two weeks ago at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Manhattan. Pinkas was one of the main speakers at the function, which was attended by New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Tel Aviv Mayor Ron Huldai. Many of the 400 guests felt embarrassed by the fact that he took the stage while being "unfocused", as described by many.
The audience was expecting Pinkas' speech. Many of them knew him from his good performances as Israel's consul-general in New York during the second intifada. Pinkas, who is usually a fluent and fascinating speaker, promised a short speech but remained on the stage for 50 minutes. At the end of the address he apologized for its length.
The man, who is considered an excellent speaker with pretty good English skills, found it difficult – according to some of the guests – to produce full and logical sentences. According to reports, some of the guests were so embarrassed that they began leaving the auditorium, while others began moving their chairs nervously, hoping Pinkas will get the message and end his speech.
"It was the first address delivered by Alon in which I saw he was unable to produce one complete sentence," one of the event's participants told Ynet. "It was embarrassing," said another guest.
'He is a talented and nice person'
A person present in the hall told Ynet that there seemed to be nothing unusual about Pinkas before he took the stage, but that everything changed when he began speaking.
"It was very weird," the man said. "People were sitting there and it was unpleasant. It lasted for a long time and no one understood what was going on. At a certain stage, people began clapping their hands politely, hoping he would get the message and stop talking."
"It's painful because he really is a talented and nice man," the person added.
Before the speech, Pinkas met in a side room with Ron Lauder, chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, and with Malcolm Hoenlein, the organization's executive vice chairman. The two are personal friends of Prime Minister Netanyahu. Lauder, however, was not present at the time of the speech, and apologized to Pinkas for having to leave early.
It should be noted that quite a few Jewish leaders in the United States have been angry with Pinkas since his tenure in New York. According to them, he ignored them and degraded them, and they complained against him and tried to stop his appointment.
One of the complaints filed against him was that he failed to represent Israel respectfully. Some appealed to former Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni in order to prevent his appointment as UN ambassador. Livni eventually appointed Prof. Gabriela Shalev.
Ahead of the current appointment, Jewish leaders have also been trying to influence Prime Minister Netanyahu with various arguments, some claiming that Pinkas' political opinions do not match those of the Likud party.
Malcolm Hoenlein told Ynet in response that he was not present at the time of Pinkas' speech. Tel Aviv Mayor Huldai refused to comment on the incident.
Pinkas: I am a popular speaker
Sources in the Prime Minister's Office told Ynet that the only reason for the delay in a government discussion on Pinkas' appointment was that Netanyahu had yet to discuss the matter with Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman.
The sources added that the prime minister must work closely with the UN ambassador and must share a common language with the candidate. They said they were unaware of the New York incident and that they had only heard about it from reporters.
It should be noted that Lieberman's plan to appoint Pinkas was reported by the press several weeks ago, but the prime minister and foreign minister have yet to discuss the matter.
Alon Pinkas told Ynet in response, "Nothing of the kind took place. I have been a popular speaker all over the world and in the United States for years, dozens of times a year. I have never heard such nonsense. Perhaps because I usually speak about political issues – and this time Ron Huldai asked me to speak about Tel Aviv for 50 minutes – someone was bored.
"If there is anyone who doesn't want me as the ambassador to the UN, they should stand up and provide professional reasons," Pinkas added, slamming what he defined as an attempt to harm his professional reputation and prestige.
Attila Somfalvi contributed to this report
