Today, Israel was
accepted to the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS), following
intensive diplomatic efforts. The decision, with 117 votes in favor to one vote
against, marks a dramatic achievement for the Permanent Mission of Israel to
the UN, especially after Syria called for a vote in order to obstruct Israel’s
acceptance. Hadas Meitzad, who led the efforts on behalf of the Israeli Mission
to the UN, said: “This day marks an important achievement for Israel. Israel’s
advanced capabilities in the field of peaceful uses of outer space, combined
with a delicate and complex diplomatic effort, granted Israel’s acceptance to
this important committee. We look forward to working with our partners to
advance this field further.”
The efforts to
join COPUOS, involved complex diplomatic efforts and sensitive maneuvers ever
since the Arab Group thwarted Israel’s acceptance to the committee in Vienna. Thanks
to diplomatic collaborations lead by the Israeli Mission to the UN and the
International Organizations Department at Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
Israel was accepted to COPUOS.
The vote today
proves that there are some countries who find it more important to bash Israel
than to contribute to the International community, like Qatar who abstained on the
vote, even though it was a vote on its own acceptance to the committee. The
only country that voted against the decision was Namibia.
The Committee on
the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space was established in 1959 and has 84 members. It
governs the exploration and use of space for the benefit of all humanity: for
peace, security and development.