Facing an uphill struggle in an election next month, Israel announced Friday it was pulling out of the race for a seat on the U.N. Security Council.
Israel was in a three-way contest with Germany and Belgium for two seats representing the Western-democratic group of nations on the U.N.'s most powerful body, starting in January.
The Security Council consists of 15 members, five of which – the United States, Russia, China, Britain and France – are permanent members and have veto power over its resolutions. Ten rotating members are elected by the General Assembly for two-year terms based on regions: five from African and Asian countries; one from Eastern European countries; two from Latin American and Caribbean countries; and two from Western European and other countries – the bloc to which Israel belongs.
The Security Council presidency rotates monthly among its members.
Israel is the only country in the Middle East that has never sat on the Security Council. Only 66 other countries in the U.N., many of them small island states, have not held a Security Council seat.
"After consulting with our partners, including our good friends, the State of Israel has decided to postpone its candidacy for a seat on the Security Council," Israel's U.N. Mission said in a statement Friday.
"It was decided that we will continue to act with our allies to allow for Israel to realize its right for full participation and inclusion in decision-making processes at the U.N. This includes the Security Council as well as an emphasis on areas related to development and innovation."
Israel's withdrawal virtually guarantees Germany and Belgium victory in the June 8 election and seats on the council.
Germany's U.N. Ambassador Christoph Heusgen said in response to a question about Israel's withdrawal: "We have never run against a country. There is nothing where we really oppose each other. We went for our own program. We asked support, and we want also to seek high support from you."
He noted that there has been a lot of discussion at the U.N. on whether regional groups should put forward contested slates or uncontested slates.
"I'm in favor of having more candidates," Heusgen said, even though "this is tougher" because candidates then have to say what they stand for and respond to sometimes tough questions about their country.
"So therefore to a certain degree – this will surprise you – I regret that Israel withdrew from the race," he said.
