Deputy Hezbollah leader Sheikh Naim Qassem gestures as he speaks during an interview with Reuters in Beirut, Lebanon, March 15, 2018. Photo: Reuters / Aziz Taher.

Israel on Tuesday condemned a top UN official for meeting with a Hezbollah leader in Lebanon.

A day earlier, UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon Jan Kubis tweeted, “Grateful for an open and substantive discussion on a broad range of topics with Deputy Secretary General Naim Qassem of Hizbullah. On top I received a copy of his book — a necessary reading.”

Grateful for an open and substantive discussion on a broad range of topics with Deputy Secretary General Naim Qassem of Hizbullah. On top I received a copy of his book – a necessary reading.

— Jan Kubis (@UNJanKubis) May 20, 2019

Responding on Tuesday, Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Emmanuel Nahshon tweeted, “We are shocked and disappointed by this meeting with a designated terror organization’s leader, threatening Israel, Lebanon and the whole region. One doesn’t need to read the Naim Qassem book, courtesy of #Hezbollah terrorists, in order to understand this!!”

We are shocked and disappointed by this meeting with a designated terror organization’s leader, threatening Israel,Lebanon and the whole region. One doesn’t need to read the Naim Qassem book, courtesy of #Hezbollah terrorists, in order to understand this !! ?@IsraelMFA @UN https://t.co/o7ccAzvXTO

— Emmanuel Nahshon (@EmmanuelNahshon) May 21, 2019

The Israeli military was more snarky, replying to Kubis, “Do you know what else appears to be necessary reading? @UN Resolution 1701.”

Do you know what else appears to be necessary reading? @UN Resolution 1701.

— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) May 21, 2019

Hillel Neuer — executive director of the Geneva-based NGO UN Watch — tweeted to Kubis, “You just praised the leader of a terrorist group that commits genocide in Syria and murders civilians worldwide.”

“I am calling on Secretary-General @antonioguterres to remove you immediately from your post as United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon.,” he added.

You just praised the leader of a terrorist group that commits genocide in Syria and murders civilians worldwide.

I am calling on Secretary-General @antonioguterres to remove you immediately from your post as United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon. https://t.co/Vgsk2i9R3y

— Hillel Neuer (@HillelNeuer) May 21, 2019