Israel Praises UAE Envoy for UN Chief Post, Stops Short of Endorsement

Ambassador Danny Danon stated on Monday that Israel will not publicly back the candidacy of Lana Nusseibeh for UN Secretary-General, despite commending her expertise and leadership potential. Danon told i24NEWS that he has known Nusseibeh for years and worked with her at the UN, describing her as a skilled diplomat with significant experience. He believes she possesses the necessary qualifications to lead the organization, similar to other candidates. When directly asked about Israeli support, Danon explained that Israeli representatives meet with candidates and maintain dialogue but do not offer public endorsements, noting Israel's non-member status on the Security Council, which recommends a candidate to the General Assembly. Nusseibeh's nomination comes from the UAE, a partner in the Abraham Accords, with which Israel shares a strong relationship. Danon cautioned against assuming a candidate's national background would dictate their actions in office, emphasizing that an elected secretary-general becomes independent of any specific region or country. Israel is eager for a leadership change after António Guterres' term, with Danon criticizing the incumbent's record, particularly during his second term. Israel's priority, he stated, is a successor committed to combating antisemitism and reforming the UN. Danon argued that a strong secretary-general can drive change and address institutional bias, a sentiment shared by his American counterparts. He stressed the importance of a candidate's ability to reform the organization and urged the UN to return to its core values. Danon distinguished between legitimate criticism of Israeli policy and what he termed disproportionate scrutiny, citing concerns over the resources dedicated to targeting Israel, which distract from other global issues. With Israelis heading to the polls on Tuesday, Danon also highlighted the expansion of the Abraham Accords as a key diplomatic priority for the incoming government, urging the use of the remaining two years of US President Donald Trump's term to pursue further agreements.