Israel has been admitted to a sub-group of member states at the United Nations in Geneva made up of Japan, the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, along with Norway, Switzerland and eight other democratic nations. The group is known as JUSCANZ. B’nai B’rith has issued the following statement:
In a significant and long-overdue move by the bloc’s members at the United Nations in Geneva, Israel has received membership in the JUSCANZ group.
Though delayed for too long, the admittance to the group brings Israel closer to a semblance of parity at the world body. Nearly a decade ago, Israel was allowed to join a regional group on a limited basis. The country became a member of the Western European and Others Group (WEOG) at the U.N.’s New York headquarters in 2000, though it continues to be denied this inclusion in WEOG or any other full-regional group in Geneva.
JUSCANZ is a sub-group of WEOG. The exclusion of Israel from comprehensive membership in a full regional group has meant that the Jewish state is unable to participate fully in U.N. activities and have equal opportunity to assume particular U.N. posts.
B’nai B’rith International is hopeful that Israel’s JUSCANZ membership will lead to consistent inclusion for Israel—as a likeminded democracy seeking to maximally contribute to the international community—in WEOG in all its settings. Israel’s new position is a good start to counter the systemic anti-Israel animus that has long characterized the United Nations.
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