Israel invited to join UNHRC’s Western nations group

By Israel Hayom staff

The United Nations Human Rights Council upgrades Israel’s status in the Geneva-based body’s Western European and Others group

New position to increase Jerusalem’s ability promote Israel’s interest, block attempts to internationally isolate it.

The United Nations Human Rights Council has invited Israel to join its Western European and Others Group nations group, Israel Radio reported Sunday.

The move will upgrade Israel’s status at the Geneva-based agency, and, according to a Foreign Ministry official, Jerusalem’s new status will allow it to better promote Israel’s interest while blocking various attempts, mostly by the U.N.’s Arab bloc, to internationally isolate it.

The U.N. Human Rights Council’s invitation is a major diplomatic achievement for Jerusalem, especially since none of the group’s member states voiced any opposition to the move.

The council’s Western European and Others Group (WEOG) is one of several unofficial regional groups that act as voting blocs within the U.N. The group includes Britain, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and Turkey, to name a few. The U.S., which is not a member of any of the regional groups, serves as an observer.

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