Danon Confronts Turkish UN Candidate Over Hamas
Israel's UN ambassador challenged Feridun Sinirlioğlu during a Secretary-General candidate hearing over his past opposition to condemning Hamas.
Updated on Nov. 8, 2026 in Terrorism
At a hearing for the UN Secretary-General race at the General Assembly, Israeli Ambassador Danny Danon confronted Turkish candidate Feridun Sinirlioğlu over his time as Turkey's Permanent Representative, when he urged the Assembly to reject an amendment condemning Hamas. Sinirlioğlu responded that he condemns terrorism in all its forms.
Why it matters
The exchange puts the Hamas question at the center of the Secretary-General selection, as candidates' prior positions on the Middle East come under direct scrutiny. Sinirlioğlu also took part in the Security Council's first round of secret straw polling in the same race.
Sinirlioğlu participated in the Security Council's first round of secret straw polling, the stage at which the Secretary-General field is narrowed. The results of that round and the candidates' subsequent standing were not reported in the source extraction.
The players
Danny Danon
Danon is Israel's Ambassador to the United Nations and a longtime Israeli diplomat and Likud politician.
Feridun Sinirlioğlu
Sinirlioğlu is a Turkish diplomat and former Permanent Representative to the UN who is a candidate for UN Secretary-General.
The details
During the official hearing, Danon addressed Sinirlioğlu directly, citing the October 7 Hamas massacre of Jews and questioning his 2018 stance as Turkey's representative. Sinirlioğlu replied that he condemns terrorism in all its forms.
Timeline
2018: Sinirlioğlu represented Turkey's position opposing a Hamas condemnation amendment.
October 7: Hamas massacre of Jews referenced in the confrontation.
November 8, 2026: Hearing and confrontation at the UN General Assembly.
Legal Context
The confrontation follows the pattern of UN General Assembly votes on condemning Hamas, where Turkey's 2018 position against the amendment became a point of contention. It brings that earlier diplomatic record into the selection of the organization's top official.
For the UN Secretary-General race, the Hamas confrontation can shape how member states weigh each candidate's record on Middle East issues. Readers following the selection process should watch for the results of further straw polling rounds.
The takeaway
Candidates for senior UN posts are judged on their past diplomatic positions, and the Hamas amendment vote is now part of that record. How member states respond to that record will shape the outcome of the selection.
Further reading
For more on the political fallout of Middle East conflict, see Terrorism.
