The Israeli Ambassador Danny Danon by winning the UN Legal Affairs committee of General Assembly inspite of securing the support and backing of United States and European countries drew sharp reactions and criticism from the Arab countries and Palestinians.
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Palestinian and Arab representatives have heavily criticised the election of Israel to chair a United Nations committee for the first time in the world body’s 71-year history.
Danny Danon received 109 out of 175 votes in the General Assembly on Monday to head what is also known as the Sixth Committee, which deals with issues in worldwide law, including global terrorism.
It is the first time that an Israeli has been elected to this position, which was done through secret ballot.
“We will not allow dictatorships and anti-Israel countries to harm our standing in the global community”, he said in a statement, according to Ynet. “We are pleased to have the opportunity to share our knowledge with the countries of the world”, Danon said.
“We will not allow dictatorships and anti-Israel countries to harm our standing in the worldwide community”, said Danon.
Israel had been nominated by the UN’s Western European and Others Group, which Israel joined temporarily in 2000 and permanently in 2013.
WJC CEO Robert Singer said: “Yesterday’s vote shows that things can be done to improve Israel’s standing at the UN. We need a United Nations that includes Israel, that brings Israel closer, not one that systematically pushes Israel away”.
American Jewish Congress President Jack Rosen responded warmly to Israel’s election by a body that has always been perceived as anti-Israel. (The election process only included votes that were cast for the particular candidate and did not include “nay” votes.) The election was held via secret ballot in which all 193 members of the United Nations could vote. “One of Ambassador Danon’s first tasks in his new position will be to further the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism”, it said. The appointment was opposed by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), among others.
His appointment as ambassador to the United Nations was highly criticised even within Israel at the time.
Danon “represents occupation” and is not qualified to chair the committee, Mansour said.
In the face of major adversity, Israel rose to the top and overcame its challengers.
Lauder called the vote in the UN General Assembly “a significant victory for Israel and a glimmer of hope”.
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“This is a historic achievement for Israel”.
