Israeli Energy Minister Karine Elharrar was unable to enter the 26th U.N. Climate Change Convention (COP26) in Glasgow, Scotland, on Monday due to several entrances she attempted being inaccessible for handicapped participants. “This is scandalous conduct, and it shouldn’t have happened. I came with certain goals, and I couldn’t achieve them today,” Elharrar, who has muscular dystrophy and uses a wheelchair, told a reporter from Ynet news.
“The U.N. calls on everyone to adhere to the international treaty,” she said. “So it is appropriate for there to be accessibility at its events.”
After being stuck outside the venue for two hours, Elharrar returned to the delegation hotel in Edinburgh, nearly an hour-and-a-half away. She intends to return to the summit on Tuesday.
Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett called the incident “unacceptable” and vowed that Elharrar’s specially-equipped vehicle would arrive at the conference on Tuesday as part of his own convoy.
British Ambassador to Israel Neil Wigan apologized to Elharrar for the incident.
I am disturbed to hear that @KElharrar was unable to attend meetings at #COP26 I apologise deeply and sincerely to the Minister. We want a COP Summit that is welcoming and inclusive to everyone.
— Neil Wigan (@FCDONeilWigan) November 1, 2021
Other British officials consider the incident to be serious and have called for an investigation to ensure that similar incidents do not occur in the future.
