After Diplomatic Gaffe, Israel Finally Denounces ‘Atrocities’ Against Rohingya in Myanmar

Israel officially denounced for the first time "atrocities" had been committed against the Muslim Rohingya minority in Myanmar, after its ambassador publicly showed support for the Burmese leadership currently facing international legal proceedings.

As Haaretz reported on Wednesday, Israel's ambassador to Myanmar, Ronen Gilor, declared his support for Burmese leader Aung San Suu Kyi, as she faces charges at the International Court of Justice.

Myanmar has been accused of carrying out mass rape, murder and the torching of homes in its operations to suppress the Muslim Rohingya minority in the west of the country in August 2017, and will face the court in the Hague starting December 10. At least 700,000 Rohingya were forced to flee to neighboring Bangladesh.

"Encouragement for a good decision and good luck," the diplomat wished Aung San Suu Kyi in a tweet that was later deleted following Haaretz enquiries.

On Thursday morning, Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement playing down the tweet, saying it has been written "in error, and was corrected immediately."

A now-deleted tweet by Israel’s ambassador to Myanmar, Ronen Gilor

"Israel strongly condemns the atrocities that took place in the Rakhine region against the Rohingya," an official statement said. "About a week ago, Israel voted in favor of a resolution to denounce the atrocities." 

Later on Thursday, all Israeli missions abroad a version of the statement as Israel's official stance on the matter.