THE COP26 MEETING WAS NOT WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE

British PM apologizes to disabled Israeli minister after COP26 access denied

 

Israel Hayom

November 2, 2021

 

 Israel’s Energy Minister Karine Elharrar told Channel 12 news that she was unable to participate in the COP26 summit on Monday because neither the premises nor the shuttle offered to attendees are not wheelchair-accessible.
“The only way they said I could come in was to walk on foot for almost a kilometer.” 

 

In a meeting with both Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and Energy Minister Karine Elharrar today, British PM Boris Johnson issued his apologies to the energy minister for a misunderstanding that had occurred the previous day when she was not allowed into the COP26 climate conference due to the entrance to the venue not being wheelchair accessible.

During the encounter, the British head of government can be seen elbow-bumping Elharrar, expressing his pleasure to see her, and quickly making sure to apologize for the events of the previous day.

 

Britain’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson (R) is introduced to Israel’s Energy Minister Karine Elharrar (L) as he meets with Israel’s Prime Minister Naftali Bennett (C) outside the COP26 Climate Conference. “I’m very, very sorry about that,” Johnson apologized for her inability to attend the conference meeting

 

"I gather there was some confusion with the arrangements yesterday. I am very, very sorry about that," said Johnson, before changing the subject to COVID-19 and hailing the efficacy of the Israeli government in providing booster shots.

Energy Minister Karine Elharrar, who has muscular dystrophy and is wheelchair-bound, told local media that she was unable to participate in the COP26 summit on Monday because neither the premises nor the shuttle offered to attendees are wheelchair-accessible.

Speaking with Channel 12 News, Elharrar said that when she arrived at the conference grounds, she found that the only ways to actually get there from the gathering area were to walk or board a special shuttle that was not suited for a wheelchair.

"I came to COP26 to meet my counterparts in the world and advance our joint struggle against the climate crisis," Elharrar had tweeted on Monday. "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.