An Israeli woman born with muscular dystrophy was elected Monday to serve on a United Nations Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Odelia Fitoussi, a 43-year-old art therapist for children based in Bat Yam, will be the first Israeli to serve on the committee. She was elected to one of nine available spots, receiving support from 109 countries, according to Israel's Mission to the UN.
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President Reuven Rivlin was one of several senior Israeli politicians to acknowledge and highlight Fitoussi's success.
"I am sure your important voice at the UN will be a positive influence for people with #disabilities around the world. We are so proud of you!"
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also extended congratulations to the teacher, saying that he appreciates her "abilities and skills that led her to be elected to a significant and important position in the international arena."
Warm congratulations to Odelia Fittousi who has been elected as a member of the @UN #CRPD panel for persons with disabilities. I am sure your important voice at the UN will be a positive influence for people with #disabilities around the world. We are so proud of you!@UN_Enable pic.twitter.com/pMPMHua93O
— Reuven Rivlin (@PresidentRuvi) December 1, 2020
According to Israeli media reports, the "UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, or CRPD, is a body of independent experts tasked with monitoring the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which was signed by nearly all the countries of the world."
Fitoussi maintained that she felt privileged to be a member of the CRPD, where Israel has been a partner in "creating a new language for people with disabilities, a language of rights...in our uniqueness as people with disabilities who enrich society with all the good we have built."
She has long advocated for the rights of people with disabilities, including greater inclusion for teachers with disabilities into the education system.
Israeli Ambassador to the UN Gilad Erdan was deeply moved by Fitoussi's election, remarking that she would make an excellent ambassador.
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Fitoussi is thought have personally met with more than 100 diplomats from around the globe in an extensive effort. Erdan discussed her candidacy in meetings with other UN ambassadors and there is evidence that she garnered support from some Arab states - which usually refrain from backing any Israeli candidates in UN bodies.
This article was first published by i24NEWS.
