The 26th Conference of Parties (COP26) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) commenced on October 31 and is being attended by change-makers across the globe. However, Israel’s energy minister, Karine Elharrar, was unable to participate in an entire day’s activities because the transport available was not accessible by wheelchair.
Elharrar told Israel’s Channel 12 that she was offered to board a shuttle service, which wasn’t wheelchair-friendly. The other option available to guests of the event was to walk to the conference grounds, which again, wasn’t for her.
“I came to COP26 to meet my counterparts in the world and advance our joint struggle against the climate crisis,” Elharrar wrote on Twitter. She added, “It's sad that the United Nations, which promotes accessibility for people with disabilities, in 2021 doesn't worry about accessibility at its own events.” She was hoping for a solution to be found by the next day.
According to Elharrar’s office, she waited outside for two hours. When no solution was found, she was sent back to her hotel, 50 miles away.
The ignorance on the part of the organisers received criticism from the Israeli government. Israel's foreign minister, Yair Lapid, said, “It is impossible to worry about the future, the climate and about people if we do not first take care of human beings, accessibility and disabilities.”
Meanwhile, Israel’s Prime Minister, Naftali Bennett said he will not attend COP26 if it’s not made accessible to Elharrar. Even the British ambassador to Israel, Neil Wigan, expressed disappointment for the mishap that happened. “I am disturbed to hear that Karine Elharrar 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,” Wigan tweeted.
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