Bruno Donat, a senior United Nations official supporting child victims of the Israel-Hamas conflict, claims he was assaulted by UN security at the organization’s New York headquarters.
Donat, who began a hunger strike on March 1 in solidarity with these victims, ended his strike on Tuesday due to pain and vomiting following the alleged incident with UN security.
According to Donat, he was denied entry to the building when attempting to meet a colleague late on Monday. He alleges that security personnel forcibly removed him, causing him to fall and hit his head on the pavement outside. Donat asserts that this resulted in bleeding and required him to be taken to the hospital by ambulance.
The UN spokesperson, Farhan Haq, offers a conflicting account. Haq states that Donat was repeatedly asked to leave the premises by security but refused until closing time. He adds that when officers attempted to remove him, Donat resisted and fell backward outside the entrance.
This incident has fueled Donat’s campaign to draw attention to the plight of children affected by the Israel-Hamas conflict. He has been vocal about the thousands of children killed in Gaza during the conflict and has also advocated for the release of Israeli hostages, including children, in Gaza.
Despite the UN’s version of events, Donat insists that he was mistreated during the altercation. He has reported the incident to UN management and intends to file a police report.
Donat’s demonstration outside the UN headquarters and his social media advocacy reflect his commitment to raising awareness about the suffering of children in conflict zones.
Questions arise about the treatment of humanitarian activists and the security protocols at UN facilities, prompting calls for further investigation and accountability.
