Israeli appointed deputy chair of top UN committee

The United Nations General Assembly on Monday selected an Israeli representative as deputy chair of its powerful finance committee, despite objections from Syria, Saudi Arabia and Iran.

Israeli diplomat Yotam Goren was chosen to represent Western states on the UN’s Administrative and Budgetary Committee, which controls a budget of some $11 billion.

“I am proud to represent our country and affect the committee that is a main artery used by the United Nations and that has a critical role in ongoing conduct worldwide,” Goren said in a statement.

The appointment came during a General Assembly session to choose steering representatives for UN committees for the coming year.

Saudi Arabia protested Israel’s appointment to the committee as a “provocation,” while Iran said it wasn’t legitimate. Their objections, which were shared by Syria, failed to derail the appointment.

“This achievement is the result of the efforts we make every day to include Israel in all fields that are on the global agenda,” Goren said. “Israel is a leader, leading and contributing to the global agenda at every turn, and despite the obstacles that many countries pose at the UN, today we also saw an expression of the great appreciation for Israel worldwide, from the Pacific to India.”

Most of the UN budget is donated by Western nations and, in addition to diverting funds to various departments, the budgetary committee is also responsible for managing and administrating UN properties worldwide and financing peacekeeping missions.