UNDOF has relocated from Damascus, Syria to the Israeli town of Katzrin in the Golan Heights because of security issues. While the townspeople welcomed the move, even urging the UNDOF to change the addresses on their business cards, they are not happy about how the international organization ignores even the basics of etiquette.
Throughout Katzrin, one can see UN vehicles parked on sidewalks and handicapped spots, flouting local laws.
The head of the town council said several letters had been sent to UNDOF asking them to address the issue, but no results so far. "Legally I can not do anything to them. I can not stop them, even if they do serious offenses. I just want them to respect the laws of the host country."A later meeting with UN officials resulted in them promising to be more respectful of the locals, but so far nothing has happened.
Residents and officials started placing signs on offending vehicles.
The Foreign Ministry explained that according to the Vienna Convention, diplomatic officials serving in Israel are given immunity, but it also noted that the Convention clearly stipulates that they respect the local law.
It isn't as if Katzrin has a shortage of parking spots, or that the UN employees are handicapped. They could find adequate parking spots easily. They choose, instead, to act like neighborhood bullies. And an organization that accuses Israel of violating international law is effectively tells Israel that will ignore its own laws whenever it pleases.
UPDATE: UNDOF says that they will obey local laws and fine the wrongdoers.
(h/t Yenta Press, Bob Knot)