Report: Arab League undermines Israel’s bid for Security Council seat

The Arab League is reportedly working to undermine Israel’s bid to win a seat on the UN Security Council next year.

By: Barney Breen-Portnoy/The Algemeiner

The Arab League is working to undermine Israel’s bid to win a seat on the United Nations Security Council next year, the Hebrew news site Walla reported on Sunday, citing an unnamed Israeli diplomatic official.

The official said Israel was “concerned” by the Arab League’s activities and would take steps to counter them.

Israel is the only country in the Middle East never to have held a Security Council seat. The 10 non-permanent spots — which are two-year terms — on the 15-member council (the five permanent members are the US, UK, France, Russia and China, all of which have veto power) are allocated in accordance with regional blocs.

Since 2000, Israel has been part of the Western European and Others Group (WEOG).

The elections for the 2019-2020 term will be held in June 2018. To get a Security Council seat, Israel will have to receive the support of at least two-thirds of the 193 members of the General Assembly.

Israel’s competitors for the WEOG seats are Belgium and Germany.

In April, Israeli Ambassador Danny Danon wrote in a Politico op-ed, “Now, more than ever, it is time for Israel to take its place as a leader in the world’s premiere international organization. Our country is qualified, well equipped and well prepared for this important role.”

“By electing Israel to serve on the Security Council, the members of the UN will make a strong statement finally accepting the Jewish state as a full and equal member,” Danon went on to say. “More important, the international community will gain a leader committed to tirelessly furthering the noble goals upon which the parliament of nations was founded almost 72 years ago.”