Israeli appointed to top UN counterterrorism position

JERUSALEM (JTA) — An Israeli who worked as a government attorney was appointed a leader in the United Nations Security Council’s counterterrorism effort.

David Scharia was tapped as the legal coordinator for the Counter-Terrorism Committee executive directorate, and will head up a team of 12 international legal experts who advise the Security Council.

He becomes the only Israeli serving in a top senior security position in the UN, according to reports citing Israeli and UN officials.

Of the more than 44,000 international employees within the United Nations, some 124 are Israeli, the Washington Post reported, citing UN figures.

Scharia served as the Israeli attorney general’s chief attorney for counterterrorism cases before the Israeli Supreme Court. In 2005 he became a legal adviser to the Security Council’s counterterrorism executive directorate.

The Security Council’s Counter-Terrorism Committee, which was established after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, helps UN member states combat terrorism from within and outside of their borders and promotes cooperation between countries.