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Agenda 2000 - 2001
Israel, the International Community and the United Nations
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POLICY
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Efforts by the Barak government to reinvigorate the peace process generally have enhanced Israel’s status in the international arena. This past year Mauritania became the third Arab state to enter into full diplomatic relations with Israel. Economic ties between Israel and a number of Arab states in North Africa and the Persian Gulf slowly are being revived. Nevertheless, Israel remains the only state at the United Nations excluded from membership in one of the body’s regional groups. This situation prevents Israel from serving on key United Nations bodies, including the Security Council. All the members of a regional group must support acceptance of a new state into a regional group. Thus, Israel has no chance to be accepted in its natural geographic group, the Asia Group, because of hostile member states, including Iran, Iraq, Libya and others. In light of the above, Israel has been seeking temporary membership in the Western European and Others Group (WEOG). All the members of WEOG have indicated that, in principle, they support Israel’s inclusion in the regional group. The JCPA believes Israel should be accepted, at least on an interim basis, as a full-fledged member of the group. The United States has been very supportive of Israel’s efforts here. On another front, the American Red Cross is pressing the International Committee of the Red Cross to recognize the Magen David Adom (red star of David) as an official emblem of the movement along with the red cross and red crescent. In November 1999 Congress approved a $926 million package to pay United States arrears to the United Nations. This step enabled the United States to retain its vote in the UN General Assembly. Congress has conditioned future disbursements on agreement by the world body to reduce the United States assessment for the regular budget and for peacekeeping activities. Notwithstanding serious concerns with United Nations activity over the years, the JCPA supports full and expeditious payment of United States dues to the United Nations |