Today we mark seven decades since the adoption of the United Nations Charter. The adoption of the Charter was a milestone in the progress of nations towards a more integrated, a more secure, and a more peaceful world.

The 70th anniversary is a time to celebrate the important accomplishments of this institution’s past, but it is also an opportunity to reflect on the course we are charting as an organization today. As we gather to honor the vision and the values of our founding document, let us ask ourselves- are we living up to the ideals and commitments visualized by the Charter.

The Charter envisions a world in which nations unite to solve pressing political, economic, and social challenges. And indeed, looking back on the achievements of the past 70 years, the profoundly important humanitarian work of the United Nations is an ongoing legacy that we can all be proud of.

Every day, UN programs and personnel help to improve the lives of millions around the world by distributing food aid, protecting the environment, vaccinating children, and in countless other constructive capacities.

Just last month, world leaders adopted a landmark agenda at the Sustainable Development Summit. Together, we committed to tackle the critical challenges facing the globe over the next 15 years- to end poverty, fight inequality and injustice, and to address climate change. 

When the largest and most wide-spread Ebola epidemic in human history struck in West Africa last year, the UN mobilized a quick and coordinated response. Israel was proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with other nations on the frontlines of the battle against this devastating epidemic. As a small country, we are proud to have sent mobile medical clinics to the affected region, and to have been the 6th largest financial contributor to the effort, with the highest contribution per capita.

And yet, we must be honest – in many areas the United Nations has not lived up to the expectations and ideals enshrined in the Charter.

The credibility of this institution depends on its integrity.

As a representative of the state of Israel, I also cannot allow this celebration to pass without mentioning the obsessive and disproportionate focus on my country in this institution.

In the past year alone, the General Assembly adopted 20 resolutions against Israel. 20 resolutions. By contrast, only one resolution was adopted addressing the daily carnage in Syria, where hundreds of thousands have been killed, and only one resolution on the human rights violations in Iran was adopted.

In this anti-Israel climate, it is no wonder that recently, according to reports, at least ten different UNRWA staffers – officials of the UN – have posted inciteful and hateful pictures and videos on the internet.

Next month we will commemorate 40 years since the infamous ‘Zionism is Racism’ resolution. Although this shameful stain on the character of this organization has been formally revoked, the disgraceful and biased treatment of Israel continues unabated.

The ongoing double standards and delegitimization that Israel faces in these halls is not only harmful to the Jewish state, it denigrates the core principles this institution was founded on; it calls its very credibility into question.

With courage and humility, with resolve and fairness, let us march forward together to make the United Nations a more relevant and a more just place, and strive to live up to the Organization’s most fundamental goals.