Egypt delegation to the UN last week voted in support of Israel’s bid for membership in the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA). This marks the very first time since Israel had been admitted as a member of the UN, on November 5, 1949, that Egypt voted in its favor.
Israel’s acceptance into the space committee was approved by 117 member countries, with 21 abstentions, and Namibia voting against. Even the countries that abstained were a change for the better, since in the past they would have surely voted against the Jewish state. They included Qatar, Tunisia, Syria, Mauritania, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Kuwait, Iraq and Algeria.
Israeli sources revealed the acceptance came after “intensive diplomatic efforts” at many different levels. It should be noted that Danny Danon, Israel’s UN envoy, used to be PM Netanyahu’s Minister of Science, Technology and… Space. On the other hand, Danon is no peace dove: he opposes the two-state solution and favors extending Israeli sovereignty over at least the parts of Judea and Samaria with a majority Jewish population.
Before the vote, the spokesman for the Egyptian foreign ministry would not comment on his delegation’s historic vote. But later, faced with outrage at home, he explained the vote for Israel was needed in order to secure the membership of some Arab states in committee. Needless to say, President al-Sisi caught flak for the move from his local media.
