The Orthodox Union today applauded the long awaited acceptance of Israel into a United Nations regional group, namely the Western European and Others Group. The Orthodox Union has advocated Israel’s acceptance into a regional group for many years as part of the battle to end the pattern of discrimination against Israel at the UN. Israel was the only UN member state in long standing that was denied entrance into a regional bloc, preventing her from taking an active part in key UN committees. This acceptance will now enable Israel to play a more active role in the United Nations while it marks an important historic step to reverse an act of discrimination against the State of Israel.

Since joining the UN in 1949, Israel was isolated from any one regional bloc due to opposition from Arab states. Since the WEOG is based on principles that unify Western-style democracies rather than by regional grouping and includes members such as the United States, New Zealand, Australia and Canada, Israel was able to be included into this group and will now be able to participate fully in the proceedings and work of the UN. This acceptance into the WEOG group will help the nations of the world receive the full benefit of Israel’s participation and expertise in many areas.

We applaud those nations who helped Israel gain acceptance into this regional group and especially note the efforts of Ambassador Richard Holbrook, US ambassador to the United Nations, as meriting special praise. We hope that this important step will lead to the expansion of Israel’s participation in other important UN committees and venues, eventually leading up to permanent status for Israel as equal to all the other UN member states. Ultimately, Israel will be able to participate as a full member in the fellowship of nations and be able to serve on such bodies as the Security Council, the Economic and Social Council and other policy-making bodies of the UN. We welcome this historic decision that will finally allow Israel to enjoy the full benefits that should come with membership in the United Nations.