ZAKA recognized as advisory body and official observer at the UN
After Israel's diplomatic efforts lasting many years, the official title was finally received by a unanimous vote
- Eli Schlesinger
- י"ח שבט התשע"ו
UN plenary. Photo: Avi Ohayon, Flash 90 צילום: אבי אוחיון, פלאש 90
A meeting of the UN Committee on NGOs held on Tuesday evening, unanimously adopted a resolution to recognize the Zaka organization as an advisory body and an official observer at the UN.
In 2005, the Zaka organization was recognized by the UN as an international organization, the UN status gave recognition to Zaka as a non-governmental organization that deals with the issues which the UN promotes in the spirit of the UN Charter. For the last four years ZAKA asked to upgrade its status and obtain recognition of a consultative body and official observer at the UN.
The decision obtained is by a special committee made up of 19 countries including Iran, Sudan, Venezuela, Cuba, Turkey, China, Russia, Pakistan, Uruguay, Burundi, Greece, the United States and Israel. But time and again the request of the organization was rejected.
In the vote took place six months ago, the committee decided to recognize an organization belonging to Hamas (PRC), an organization based in the UK and promoting anti-Israel propaganda in Europe, and to reject the ZAKA organization of receiving a similar status, while directing frivolous questions such as "Are you active in the territories?"Although a representative of Zaka in North America Zvi Gluck answered all questions posed to the organization, and said that wherever ZAKA are asked to help, they operate regardless of religion, race, gender or ethnicity. He further said that in road accidents or disasters ZAKA personnel often help Palestinian casualties.
Israel's UN delegation in coordination with the delegation of the United States decided to revisit the issue of the vote for ZAKA in January 2016. In recent months a worldwide diplomatic effort was made to get the consent of the member countries. Under the directive of Deputy Minister Tzipi Hotovely and Foreign Ministry Director Dr. Dori Gold, the subject of recognition for ZAKA turned into a diplomatic effort of the State of Israel, Israeli ambassadors around the world were instructed to act in explaining and convincing the member countries.
As stated, on Tuesday night the decision was passed unanimously without opposition. The validity of the resolution will be approved at the next meeting of the Economic Council - the UN Economic Social Council (ECOSOC) which will convene next month. The decision, made at the end of a long diplomatic struggle, is a great victory of the Israeli delegation to the UN and Israeli diplomacy.
The recognition gives Zaka a consultative status and official observer at the United Nations, which will give Zaka free entry to the UN office in New York, Geneva, Paris and Vienna. ZAKA will be able to participate in conferences, discussions and meetings open to organizations that have this status.
It will also serve as a consultant to the Council of ECOSOC in the UN - United Nations Economic and Social Council, of 54 countries, promoting health, educational, economic and social rights issues around the world. ZAKA now joins a number of distinguished organizations which advise the Council.
Chairman of ZAKA Yehuda Meshi Zahav praised the achievement - "It is a great honor for the State of Israel in general and in particular to the organization and its volunteers that the UN recognizes and appreciates the unique holy work we do regardless of religion, race or sex. Achievements of the humanitarian and professional activities which the organization does around the world which combine a complex and sensitive diplomatic process, have led to official recognition of the ZAKA organization".
Danny Danon, Israel's ambassador to the United Nations, said - "This is a tremendous victory for Israeli diplomacy. ZAKA is an organization representing the moral values of the State of Israel and its adoption by the United Nations constitutes conclusive proof to the world", and added: "ZAKA received the status it deserves in the parliament of nations".
In 2005, the Zaka organization was recognized by the UN as an international organization, the UN status gave recognition to Zaka as a non-governmental organization that deals with the issues which the UN promotes in the spirit of the UN Charter. For the last four years ZAKA asked to upgrade its status and obtain recognition of a consultative body and official observer at the UN.
The decision obtained is by a special committee made up of 19 countries including Iran, Sudan, Venezuela, Cuba, Turkey, China, Russia, Pakistan, Uruguay, Burundi, Greece, the United States and Israel. But time and again the request of the organization was rejected.
In the vote took place six months ago, the committee decided to recognize an organization belonging to Hamas (PRC), an organization based in the UK and promoting anti-Israel propaganda in Europe, and to reject the ZAKA organization of receiving a similar status, while directing frivolous questions such as "Are you active in the territories?"Although a representative of Zaka in North America Zvi Gluck answered all questions posed to the organization, and said that wherever ZAKA are asked to help, they operate regardless of religion, race, gender or ethnicity. He further said that in road accidents or disasters ZAKA personnel often help Palestinian casualties.
Israel's UN delegation in coordination with the delegation of the United States decided to revisit the issue of the vote for ZAKA in January 2016. In recent months a worldwide diplomatic effort was made to get the consent of the member countries. Under the directive of Deputy Minister Tzipi Hotovely and Foreign Ministry Director Dr. Dori Gold, the subject of recognition for ZAKA turned into a diplomatic effort of the State of Israel, Israeli ambassadors around the world were instructed to act in explaining and convincing the member countries.
As stated, on Tuesday night the decision was passed unanimously without opposition. The validity of the resolution will be approved at the next meeting of the Economic Council - the UN Economic Social Council (ECOSOC) which will convene next month. The decision, made at the end of a long diplomatic struggle, is a great victory of the Israeli delegation to the UN and Israeli diplomacy.
The recognition gives Zaka a consultative status and official observer at the United Nations, which will give Zaka free entry to the UN office in New York, Geneva, Paris and Vienna. ZAKA will be able to participate in conferences, discussions and meetings open to organizations that have this status.
It will also serve as a consultant to the Council of ECOSOC in the UN - United Nations Economic and Social Council, of 54 countries, promoting health, educational, economic and social rights issues around the world. ZAKA now joins a number of distinguished organizations which advise the Council.
Chairman of ZAKA Yehuda Meshi Zahav praised the achievement - "It is a great honor for the State of Israel in general and in particular to the organization and its volunteers that the UN recognizes and appreciates the unique holy work we do regardless of religion, race or sex. Achievements of the humanitarian and professional activities which the organization does around the world which combine a complex and sensitive diplomatic process, have led to official recognition of the ZAKA organization".
Danny Danon, Israel's ambassador to the United Nations, said - "This is a tremendous victory for Israeli diplomacy. ZAKA is an organization representing the moral values of the State of Israel and its adoption by the United Nations constitutes conclusive proof to the world", and added: "ZAKA received the status it deserves in the parliament of nations".
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