U.S. remarks on Israel's election as Chair of the UNGA 6th (legal) committee

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The United States congratulates Ambassador Danny Danon on his election to be Chair of the Sixth Committee, and we look forward to a very productive Sixth Committee under his leadership.

For any other country in these United Nations, today's election would have been an unremarkable affair. But Israel is rarely treated like any other country here. It matters not what committee or body or group Israel seeks to join here at the United Nations. In 2014, in the Fourth Committee, a vote was called on a WEOG-endorsed Israeli candidate for vice-chair. Last year, a vote was called in the Fourth Committee on Israel's candidature to serve on the Committee for the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space. And now, a vote was called on WEOG's endorsed candidate in the Sixth Committee.

This pattern of bias needs to change. The United States is very disappointed that a vote was called on the WEOG-endorsed candidacy of the Israeli Permanent Representative.

The Sixth Committee has always selected its chairs by acclamation, and it should have done so today. Even a chair from Qadhafi's Libya was elected by acclamation. A vote should not have been called today.

We need a United Nations that is a model of equal treatment and non-discrimination. We need a United Nations that includes Israel, that brings Israel closer, not one that systematically pushes Israel away.

Israel has shown, time and time again, that it is has much to contribute to the international community, to the benefit of the United Nations and of the world. The Sixth Committee's work is critical to the progressive development of public international law. We look forward to working with the Sixth Committee under the leadership of the Israeli Permanent Representative, and are confident that Israel's Permanent Representative, like any other chairman of this committee, will serve with the utmost objectivity and commitment to international law and norms.

I thank you, Mr. Chairman.