An Israeli minister who couldn’t attend a UN climate change summit because of a malfunctioning wheelchair has accepted an apology from the British Prime Minister’s office.
Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Tzachi Hanegbi, who has undergone severe mobility problems for over a decade, was invited to attend the upcoming United Nations Climate Change Conference but was unable to do so due to the issue.
“If I were able to attend, I would, of course, have made the trip, as I believe that it is important to be present at the climate change summit in order to discuss Israeli’s contribution to combating global warming,” Hanegbi wrote on his Facebook page.
The Israeli minister in a conversation with United Kingdom Prime Minister Theresa May apologized for the failure to have a wheelchair ramp available for him to use.
“Your office has completely accepted the apology. I do not regret attending the summit. I find the choice of a wheelchair in the name of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a fantastic PR opportunity. As a member of the international family, this week I am expected to follow the leaders of the world to Warsaw for the preparatory talks to the Paris Agreement,” Hanegbi said.
The UN Climate Summit is set to take place September 12-14 in Poland.