The Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America today applauded the United States Senate for unanimously adopting Senate Resolution 188 calling for Israeli membership in a United Nations regional group.

The resolution which had 54 co-sponsors was spearheaded by United States Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan (D-NY).

The Orthodox Union has long advocated Israel’s acceptance into a United Nations regional group. Israel, as the only member state of the UN in long standing that has never been accepted to a regional bloc, should gain admittance to the United Nation’s Western European and Others group. This would enable Israel to play a more active role in the United Nations while enabling the UN to reverse an act of discrimination against the State of Israel.

Since joining the United Nations in 1949, Israel has been isolated from any one regional bloc. Due to opposition from
Arab states, Israel’s membership to the Asian grouping has been prevented. Since the WEO group is based on principles that unify Western style democracies rather than by regional grouping, Israel should be included in the WEOG, whose members include, among others, New Zealand, Australia and Canada.

Israel has demonstrated its willingness to participate fully in the proceedings and work of the United Nations and her acceptance into the WEO group would help nations of the world get the full benefit of Israel’s participation.

Senator Moynihan and the United States Senate deserve praise for this most important resolution. Israel, by not being accepted into any regional group, cannot exercise its full right as a member of the UN, cannot be nominated for membership in many UN groups and is therefore left out of important decision making processes. We hope that this excellent resolution on the part of the United States Senate will lead to a positive response to Israel’s request to address the situation that reflects ultimately on the credibility of the United Nations.