Israel has been given observer status at the U.N. disarmament conference, over the objections of Algeria, Iran and other Moslem countries.
Israel had been excluded from the 40-state conference since it was established by the U.N. General Assembly in 1970.
Now it will be able to participate in deliberations for a chemical weapons treaty, though it cannot vote.
This is of utmost importance to Israel, Avraham Milo, deputy chief of the Israeli U.N. mission in Geneva, told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency.
He explained that Israel’s vital interest stemmed from the fact that it is in a region where chemical weapons are common. Iran, Iraq, Syria and Libya have either used or produced them.
Israel would like a universal chemical weapons convention signed by all nations. Meanwhile, it has advocated regional pacts. Israel has proposed a chemical weapons-free zone in the Middle East.
Israel was one of 30 countries given observer status at the disarmament conference this year. Their acceptance by consensus precluded a veto by the Moslem states.
Help ensure Jewish news remains accessible to all. Your donation to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency powers the trusted journalism that has connected Jewish communities worldwide for more than 100 years. With your help, JTA can continue to deliver vital news and insights. Donate today.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
