For years, we in Israel thought that the hostile reality at the United Nations was something unalterable. We became impervious to automatic condemnations and stopped getting upset when Palestinian incitement was met with open arms.
To clear the air of the anti-Semitism that pervaded the corridors of the organization, we launched a long but justified battle, possibly the most justified one ever waged in the U.N.
In the past few years we have spearheaded a number of precedent-setting initiatives that helped us throw off the hostile atmosphere and strengthen our status in the organization.
It started on the day I was appointed chairman of the Justice Committee, an unprecedented occurrence that proved that Israel can win, even in the U.N. The new balance of power stood out especially when ambassadors from the countries hostile to Israel were forced, for the first time, to face a senior committee head who was also Israel’s ambassador to the U.N., and ask for the right to speak.
In every fight we assemble the moral majority, led by our friend the United States. Together we have led proposals for resolutions that were voted on in the General Assembly and designed to isolate nations that support terrorism, and to block anti-Israel declarations.
Eighty-seven countries stood alongside Israel and the United States when we brought to the vote a resolution to condemn Hamas in the General Assembly. A broad coalition of nations openly stated that the loathsome terrorist group was an international problem.
We also are proudly making Jewish culture and legacy part of the organization. For the first time, Yom Kippur was recognized as an official U.N. holiday, kosher food was made available in the cafeteria and Jewish holidays are marked by official events.
We have not allowed the rise of modern anti-Semitism to go ignored. The General Assembly was summoned for a special session to discuss the fight against anti-Semitism, and a proposed resolution to condemn hate crimes and anti-Semitic crimes was passed.
This past year we have also fought against the Palestinians’ culture of lies, along with a true friend to Israel—former U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Nikki Haley. The time when the United States remained silent while the world condemned Israel is over. Together we are fighting a just war that is strengthening Israel as well as the United States.
I’m proud to say that the United Nations is no longer a home court for those who oppose Israel. Terms like “war crimes” and the “Goldstone Report” are fading memories from a dark time in the organization’s history. In 2019, many countries are supporting Israeli initiatives in international forums, and multilateral cooperation is rising.
Israeli innovation strengthens not only Israel but the rest of the nations of the world as well. Israel’s cyber capabilities, a “superpower,” as Singapore’s U.N. ambassador put it, are used to defend other countries, too. The U.N. is being exposed to Israeli technology, and this past year invested $200 million in acquiring Israeli goods and services.
All these achievements are just the beginning. We will continue to represent Israel at the 74th General Assembly with our heads held high, and build more bridges thanks to Israel’s amazing technology and spirit.
Danny Danon is Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations.
