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National Jewish Community
Relations Advisory Council Guide to Program Planning Of the Constituent Organizations |
| Israel and the Middle East |
| Israel
and the International Community
Changing Conditions The Israel-PLO rapprochement has given further impetus to the trend of normalized relations between Israel and the international community, including Arab and Moslem states and the United Nations. Background The trend of normalized relations between Israel and much of the international community that began following the collapse of the Soviet Union has been enhanced by the signing of the historic agreement between Israel and the PLO. Israel now has diplomatic relations with more than 140 of the 185 United Nations member states. At the end of 1993, the Vatican normalized relations with the Jewish state. This process of normalization is important to enhancing the peacemaking environment and to giving Israel a sense of confidence as it continues to negotiate with Arab neighbors. The new situation enjoyed by Israel also is reflected in the itinerary of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin who visited China and Indonesia, the world's largest Moslem country. Earlier, following the signing of the Israel-PLO agreement in Washington, Rabin and Foreign Minster Shimon Peres openly visited Morocco, a member state of the Arab League. The leaders of the European Union agreed in late 1993 to upgrade economic relations with Israel that will enhance trade, science, and research and development. Negotiations on Israel's new status are expected to commence during 1994. Israel's situation at the United Nations is showing signs of significant improvement, reflecting the dramatically changing political climate in the Middle East as well as Israel's desire to be integrally involved with the workings of the United Nations. The body's member states agreed to seat Israel at the 1993 General Assembly without an Arab challenge of Israel's credentials. The General Assembly passed a resolution on December 14,1993 by a vote of 155-3-1, praising the Israel-PLO Declaration of Principles and the Common Agenda signed by Israel and Jordan. For the first time, Israelis were elected to United Nations posts to serve as a justice on the administrative court of the UN and to serve on the UN Information Committee, one of the UN's most prestigious bodies. Israel, with the active assistance of the United States, continues to seek membership in a regional group within the UN. Temporary membership is being sought in the Western European and Others Group until such time as Israel can be admitted to the Asian Group. Arab states are blocking Israel's membership in that group. Membership in a regional group would provide Israel the opportunity to serve on the Security Council and other important UN bodies. Israel's absence from a regional group also complicates its participation in the Chemical Weapons Convention, to which it is a signatory (see section on Middle East Arms Race, Joint Program Plan for 1992-93). Regarding assistance to foreign countries, the United States and Israel continue to cooperate through an Agency for International Development funded program that enables Israel to conduct projects in less developed countries. Israel's experience in building a democratic society also is drawing the interest of other countries making the transition to democratic rule. As South Africa prepared for its first fully democratic election in the spring of 1994, African National Congress representatives visited Israel in November 1993 to observe the municipal elections held around the country.
The Jewish Community Relations Field Should
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