UN rep quits over “possible nuclear weapon use”

• Mohamad Safa, the Executive Director and Main Representative of the Patriotic Vision Association (PVA), suspended all duties within the UN, ending 12 years of engagement across multiple councils and committees.
• Safa accused senior UN officials of serving a "powerful lobby" rather than institutional principles; most strikingly, he claimed he could no longer remain while the UN allegedly prepares for scenarios involving nuclear weapon use in the escalating Middle East conflict.

Mohamad Safa, the main representative of the Patriotic Vision Association (PVA) to the United Nations, said on Friday via his X account (@mhdksafa) that he is suspending all his duties with the organization and its associated UN committees.

In a detailed public statement, Safa cited concerns regarding the conduct of senior UN officials, whom he accused of serving a powerful lobby rather than upholding the institution’s core principles.

He further expressed that he could not, in good conscience, remain associated with the UN amid what he described as preparations for possible nuclear weapon use.

The PVA is an international non-governmental organization established in 2013 with special consultative status at the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) since 2018.

It is also accredited at the United Nations offices in Geneva (since 2016) and Vienna (since 2018).

The organization focuses on human rights advocacy, the promotion of the Sustainable Development Goals, and the provision of humanitarian assistance to populations affected by poverty and emergencies.

Safa has served as its executive director since its founding and as PVA’s permanent representative to the UN since 2016, accumulating nearly 12 years of engagement with the international body across multiple Secretaries-General and Human Rights Council presidencies.

In his announcement, Safa emphasized that the decision followed extensive reflection. He stated: “After much reflection, and after it became clear to me that some UN seniors are serving a powerful lobby and not the UN, I have decided to suspend all my duties as PVA Main Representative at the UN and from all UN committees/groups of which I am a member.”

He concluded by noting that continued participation would require him to witness developments he finds morally untenable, specifically referencing the UN’s alleged readiness for scenarios involving nuclear weapons.

Safa’s statement aligns with prior expressions of dissatisfaction. Reports indicate he had contemplated resignation as early as 2023, amid frustrations over the UN’s response to the conflict in Gaza following October 2023.

He has publicly referenced experiences of censorship, death threats, and what he perceives as institutional bias favoring certain geopolitical interests, particularly those linked to the United States and ‘Israel’.

Additional context from his recent activity suggests the nuclear concerns pertain to escalating tensions in the Middle East, including claims of a misinformation campaign regarding Iran’s nuclear capabilities.

The PVA’s official account responded promptly to the announcement, expressing respect for Safa’s decision and acknowledging his long-standing commitment to principled service.

No immediate official response from the United Nations has been reported.