Egypt supports UN Women’s Sima Bahous against Israeli calls for resignation

CAIRO - 24 November 2023: After Israel’s attacks on UN Women’s Executive Director Sima Bahous, Egypt’s National Council for Women (NCW) has showed solidarity with the UN official.

“Sima, if you are blamed not to be neutral and not impartial … actually you are standing with the basic human rights, UN principles, International Normative frameworks to protect women under conflict and in war… Women Peace and Security agenda and above all …. Humanity,” NCW President Maya Morsy, wrote on Facebook.

On Thursday, Amir Weissbrod, head of the Midde East in the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, met with ambassadors of the main donor countries to UN Women. Along with a picture of the meeting, Weissbrod wrote on X that Bahous should resign because of her “disregard” for Israeli women.

In response, Egypt’s Morsy wrote on Facebook “we want to see the UN flag with its blue and white colors with no stains of blood. This is what the UN should be working  for. Peace.”

After a two-day visit to Egypt, UN Women’s Bahous released a Nov. 16-statement to call for the immediate release of hostages, as well as a humanitarian ceasefire.

“Even amid the current crisis, women in Gaza are again showing the power of women’s leadership and their centrality to their communities in the most appalling of circumstances. They are working as first responders and volunteers to try and keep people safe. UN Women pledges our continuing support, including to Palestinian women’s organizations in Gaza, where our long-standing relationships are more important than ever”, Bahous said in her statement.

On Thursday, Bahous spoke at the UN Security Council, echoing the same sentiment that addresses the plight of women in Gaza.
 

Israeli envoy to the UN Gilad Erdan followed her speech with harsh criticism, saying “shame on you, UN Women.”

To Erdan’s apparent surprise, Chinese envoy to the UN Zhang Jun interrupted him, asking him to “show respect.”

Morsy ended her Facebook post saying” UN Women … Sima Bahous, we are proud of you. maintaining your neutrality and impartiality and still defending the Right to Life for all women … 
Stay strong.. women who want Peace in the world are supporting you.”