If FM Liberman has his way, the UN’s special coordinator for the Middle East peace process Robert Serry, will be declared persona non grata by the Israeli gov’t.

Foreign Minister Avigdor Liberman is intent on expelling the United Nations special envoy to the Middle East, Robert Serry, after authorities learned that he sought to transfer tens of millions of dollars in aid to Hamas, Channel 2 reported on Saturday.

Foreign Minister Avigdor Liberman – Photo: Olivier Fitoussi

If Liberman has his way, Serry, the Dutch diplomat whose official title is United Nations special coordinator for the Middle East peace process, will be declared by the Israeli government as persona non grata.

According to Channel 2, Liberman plans to convene a special high-level conference with Foreign Ministry officials in Jerusalem who will decide which steps, if any, are to be taken.

UN Special Coordinator for Mideast peace Serry – Photo: Ronen Topelberg

Israel learned that Serry sought to transfer tens of millions of dollars to Hamas, the Islamist group which is being blamed by Jerusalem for the kidnapping of three Jewish teenagers who went missing in Gush Etzion 10 days ago.

Channel 2 reported that Liberman learned Serry asked Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas to transfer $20 million from Qatar to Gaza. Abbas refused the request.

Serry then asked Israel to facilitate the transfer, a proposal that was also shot down. Serry even suggested that the UN organize the transaction.

Serry has long been accused by Israel to be partial toward the Palestinians. Liberman is expected to ask Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu to approve his removal from the region.

View original Jerusalem Post publication at: http://www.jpost.com/Diplomacy-and-Politics/Report-Liberman-seeks-to-expel-UN-envoy-for-trying-to-give-aid-to-Hamas-360109