‘Why Pakistan Sheltered Terrorist’: Israel Cites Bin Laden Episode To Defend Qatar Strike At UNSC

Last Updated:September 13, 2025, 14:58 IST

Israel’s UN envoy Danny Danon said that if there was no immunity for bin Laden, there can be no immunity for Hamas

Israel’s Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Danny Danon | Image: X

Israel invoked the killing of Osama bin Laden on Pakistani soil to defend its strike on Hamas terror leaders in Qatar, accusing Islamabad of “double standards" during a heated exchange at the UN Security Council.

“When bin Laden was eliminated in Pakistan, the question was not ‘why target a terrorist on foreign soil?’ The question was, ‘why was a terrorist given shelter at all?’" Israel’s UN envoy Danny Danon said, directly addressing Pakistan’s representative Asim Iftikhar Ahmad.

“There was no immunity for bin Laden, and there can be no immunity for Hamas."

The clash unfolded at a UNSC session on Thursday, convened to discuss Israel’s attack in Doha, which Pakistan condemned as “illegal and unprovoked aggression."

Ahmad accused Israel of repeatedly flouting international law through “brutal actions" in Gaza and cross-border strikes in Syria, Lebanon, Iran, and Yemen.

Marking the 24th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, Danon linked Israel’s October 7 assault by Hamas to the US terror tragedy.

“That tragic day, like October 7 for Israel, was a day of fire and blood," he said, recalling that the Council had unanimously resolved no nation could harbour or fund terrorists. “That principle was clear then; it must be upheld today."

Ahmad, in his rebuttal, said it was “ludicrous" for Israel — which he called “an aggressor and occupier" — to invoke international law while “masking its own violations."

Danon hit back, insisting the facts could not be erased.

“Osama bin Laden was killed in Pakistan, and no one condemned the US. When other countries in this Council attack terrorists, no one condemns them. But when Israel acts, you apply different standards," he said.

Bin Laden was killed in a US special operation in Abbottabad, Pakistan, in May 2011, after years of hiding in the country’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

Ronit Singh

Ronit Singh, Senior Sub-Editor at News18.com, works with the India and Breaking News team. He has a keen focus on Indian politics and aims to cover unexplored angles. Ronit is an alumnus of Christ (Deemed to be...Read More

Ronit Singh, Senior Sub-Editor at News18.com, works with the India and Breaking News team. He has a keen focus on Indian politics and aims to cover unexplored angles. Ronit is an alumnus of Christ (Deemed to be...

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News world ‘Why Pakistan Sheltered Terrorist’: Israel Cites Bin Laden Episode To Defend Qatar Strike At UNSC

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