The nomination of Bejamin Netanyahu as Chair of the UN General Assembly Sixth Committee has been rejected by the Arab League, its general-secretary announced today.

Israel was nominated by representatives of the Western European and Others Group (WEOG). This was rejected in a meeting with these members, announced Elaraby.

Elaraby said it was unreasonable for Israel to head the committee, as it regularly commits illegal acts, including the construction of the Separation Wall, violations of Palestinian human rights, the daily arrest of children and women, as well as the practice of administrative detention, MEMO reported.

Arab League rejects #Israel’s nomination as chair of UN legal committee https://t.co/MD9L5f7OX4

— Elke Götze (@Pucemargine) June 13, 2016

According to the UN: “The Sixth Committee is the primary forum for the consideration of legal questions in the General Assembly”. Elaraby stated, however, that Israel commits violations of international and humanitarian law on a regular basis and should not be eligible to chair the committee.

Senior member of the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO), Hanan Ashrawi, last week slammed the nomination saying it was “making a mockery of the international legal system and rewarding Israel for its flagrant violations of international law and acts of collective punishment and violence”.

(MEMO, PC)