Israeli ministers don’t come with wheelchairs to climate conference
“Climate Activists Think the Convention Is Completely Pointless”
UK correspondent Stephanie Bolzen says that while one cannot yet speak of a major breakthrough in climate policy, there are at least one or two good headlines. Clearly not enough of climate activists.
Israel’s Energy Minister Karine Elharer suffers from muscular dystrophy and is in a wheelchair. That’s why she couldn’t attend the climate summit in Glasgow on Monday: she gave up after two hours. It worked better on Tuesday.
DIsraeli Energy Minister Karine Elharer on Monday inadvertently showed just how bad things are with inclusion: She was unable to attend the UN climate conference, in which she traveled from Israel to Glasgow, because it was not accessible to the disabled.
Karine Elhrer Im in Jerusalem in April
What: Reuters
Elharrar, who suffers from muscular dystrophy, uses a wheelchair and a special handicap accessible vehicle to get around. She was taken to several entrances but she could not enter the conference from any of the entrances.
“I traveled to the International Climate Conference to promote a joint fight against the climate crisis around the world,” she said. “Unfortunately, this was not possible due to lack of access, which can no longer be justified in 2021.” Elhrer expressed the hope that lessons would be learned from the event, so that they would focus on promoting green energy and the conference. Couldn’t focus on clearing the odds on Tuesday.
Prime Minister Naftali Bennett called Elharer and said the situation was unacceptable and that he would arrange to take her to the conference in his convoy on Tuesday morning. Foreign Minister Yair Lapid also told about the incident.
Climate conference organizers should know that “you cannot care about the future, climate and sustainability without caring for people with disabilities and access.”
Britain’s ambassador to Israel, Neil Wigan, tweeted that he was “shocked to hear that Elharer was unable to attend the meetings. I deeply and sincerely apologize to him. We want a summit that is welcoming to all.” Be fit and inclusive.”
The conference’s website states: “Venues, events and exhibits are wheelchair accessible.” On Tuesday, Karine Elharer was finally able to attend the climate summit. Prime Minister Naftali Bennett kept his promise and personally accompanied the Secretary of Energy at the event.
Karine Elharrar called for more barrier-free access. “We can talk about accessibility and the rights of people with disabilities, but we also have to apply all the conventions and rules in life,” she told the BBC. “It was an experience that showed us that we have to pay attention to all the details everywhere.”
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