Israel Begins Presidency of UN Disarmament Conference; Iran and Syria Protest

Israel has begun its rotating presidency of the United Nations Disarmament Conference in Geneva, a development that has faced protests from the Islamic Republic of Iran and a boycott from Syria. According to Israeli media, Daniel Meron, Israel's ambassador to the European headquarters of the UN in Geneva, took over the presidency of the disarmament conference on Wednesday, August 31, and chaired the first meeting of this group with representatives from 65 countries. The presidency of the conference began under Daniel Meron while Israel's war against the extremist group Hamas and other proxy groups in the region continues, and severe criticisms of Israel have been expressed in various UN bodies. Iran and Syria, which are considered two main adversaries of Israel, are also members of this conference alongside Israel, but the Syrian ambassador refrained from attending the meeting on Wednesday, and the Iranian ambassador to Geneva immediately left the meeting in protest after Mr. Meron assumed the presidency. Ali Bahraini, Iran's ambassador and representative in Geneva, condemned the transfer of the presidency of this conference to his Israeli counterpart last week, stating that giving this position to Israel, with its 'dark history' and 'crimes against humanity,' 'overlooks the ultimate goals of the conference.' According to Mr. Bahraini, Israel is essentially not a member of any international treaties prohibiting mass destruction and its presidency of the disarmament conference is 'invalid and unqualified.' Israel also held the rotating presidency of this conference for one month ten years ago. This country has been accepted as a full member of the conference and its Western group since 1996. The UN Disarmament Conference was established 45 years ago to discuss disarmament agreements and arms control, especially nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction. Israel has deliberately kept its nuclear capabilities ambiguous for decades. Other nuclear powers are also members of the UN Disarmament Conference. This body adopts its independent procedures and agenda based on the recommendations of the General Assembly and proposals from member states.