Israel’s energy minister couldn’t enter COP26 because of wheelchair inaccessibility

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Karine Elharrar, Orna Barbivai and Meir Cohen from the Yesh Atid party arrive for consultations on the formation of a coalition government in Jerusalem on April 5, 2021.

Amir Cohen/Reuters

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The COP26 summit
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«I came to COP26 to meet my world counterparts and to advance a common battle against climate change,» Elharrar wrote on Twitter. «It is sad that the UN that advances accessibility to people with disabilities, in the year 2021, does not ensure accessibility to its events.»

Elharrar wrote she hopes necessary lessons from the incident are learned so that she can focus on advancing green energy, removing obstacles and promoting energy efficiency Tuesday at the conference.

Israel’s Foreign Minister Yari Lapid called out organizers of the conference on Twitter, saying: «It is impossible to safeguard our future and address the climate crisis, without first and foremost caring for people, including ensuring accessibility for people with disabilities.»

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The U.K. Ambassador to Israel Neil Wigan apologized on Twitter for the incident, saying he was «disturbed to hear that [Elharrar] was unable to attend meetings at COP26.»

«We want a COP Summit that is welcoming and inclusive to everyone,» Wigan continued in his tweet.

I am disturbed to hear that @KElharrar was unable to attend meetings at #COP26 I apologise deeply and sincerely to the Minister. We want a COP Summit that is welcoming and inclusive to everyone.

— Neil Wigan (@FCDONeilWigan) November 1, 2021