Israeli official elected to UN committee for first time with support of 134 countries
Photo: Shay Mizrahi
An unprecedented event has taken place at the United Nations, with an Israeli official elected as a member of the UN General Assembly’s Independent Audit Advisory Committee. She received votes from 134 countries in an election held over the weekend. The victory came despite heightened diplomatic tensions between Israel and the international organization.
According to a press release from the Office of the State Comptroller of Israel, Shay Mizrahi, director of the Local Government Audit and Political Party Financing Department and a lawyer, has been elected for a three-year term. She is the first Israeli to serve as a member of the committee since its establishment in 2007.
The five-member committee advises the General Assembly on the effectiveness of the UN’s internal oversight system. Its responsibilities include auditing, risk management, financial controls and good governance.
Mizrahi contested the election as a candidate of the UN’s Western European and Others Group. Previously, only candidates from the United States had represented the group on the committee.
According to information from Israel’s mission to the United Nations, the mission, led by Ambassador Danny Danon, has worked in recent weeks to secure greater international support for Mizrahi’s candidacy from friendly countries.
The appointment comes at a time when relations between Israel and the United Nations have reached a low point. Israeli officials have repeatedly accused the UN of unfairly targeting the Jewish state and attempting to isolate it internationally. These allegations have intensified, particularly since Israel launched its war against Hamas in Gaza in 2023.
In a statement, Danon said, “Mizrahi’s appointment is an important achievement for the State of Israel and our diplomatic efforts on the international stage. In the face of repeated attempts to exclude Israel from various UN institutions and deny its legitimacy, this appointment proves that the professionalism, experience and excellence of Israelis continue to earn international recognition and appreciation.”
Source: The Times of Israel (Adapted)
