Rethinking the United Nations: A Call for Democracies to Forge a New Path

Rethinking the United Nations: A Call for Democracies to Forge a New Path

During my tenure as Israel’s foreign minister in 2021, the U.N. General Assembly passed a series of resolutions targeting Israel. The following year, while I served as prime minister, the General Assembly echoed this trend with additional resolutions against my country.

In truth, the response within our government was muted. There were no frantic calls nor urgent meetings around the television to monitor the votes. Our U.N. ambassador did not convey a feeling of despair. Voting against Israel at the U.N. has become as predictable as London’s rainy weather. Diplomats gather, repeat the same speeches as in previous years, and cast votes that conform to historical patterns, followed by social evenings at upscale restaurants.

The Ideals Behind the U.N.

The United Nations emerged from the vision of democratic nations striving to promote liberal values and protect human rights. Its foundation rests on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which emphasizes the importance of democracy through Article 21. This article declares a commitment to facilitating genuine electoral processes worldwide, ensuring that the voices of the people are heard. However, it conspicuously lacks a stipulation for democratic governance as a prerequisite for membership.

The Challenge of Membership

A blend of post-colonial sensitivity and ideological complacency has led to the admission of non-democratic states into the U.N. According to the Economist Intelligence Unit, among the U.N.’s 193 member nations, only 25 qualify as full democracies, while 46 are deemed flawed democracies. This means that in every vote, from budget approvals to significant resolutions, non-democratic nations exercise a commanding majority. They wield this power without hesitation.

This situation was starkly evident when Iran chaired the U.N. Commission on the Status of Women in 2022, shortly after the tragic murder of Mahsa Amini. Similarly, Syria led the 2018 Conference on Disarmament while it was actively using chemical weapons against its own citizens. In 2022, North Korea presided over the same conference, challenging international norms by showcasing its nuclear arsenal and launching missiles towards Japan. Meanwhile, China currently sits on the Human Rights Council, raising eyebrows regarding its commitment to the very human rights it professes to uphold.

Bias Against Israel

Before considering the broader implications, one cannot ignore the U.N.’s glaring bias against Israel. I do not argue that Israel is without flaws or devoid of issues; indeed, I have my disagreements with our current government’s policies, particularly concerning Gaza. Nevertheless, the U.N.’s excessive focus on Israel resembles a diplomatic misfire. Despite representing just 0.1% of the global population, Israel has been the subject of more than 60% of the U.N.’s condemnatory resolutions over the past decade.

In 2023, as Hamas launched its attack on Israel on October 7, the General Assembly passed 15 resolutions against Israel, while only eight were directed at all other nations combined. This trend is not isolated. Over the last decade, the General Assembly adopted 187 resolutions criticizing Israel, contrasted with just 86 against the remainder of the world. Conflicts in regions like Syria, Yemen, Ethiopia, and Myanmar have resulted in far greater humanitarian crises than the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict, yet the voting patterns at the U.N. remain unchanged.

The Financial Implications

This situation represents not only absurdity but also an enormous financial burden. The annual expenditures of the U.N. system soar above $70 billion, surpassing the combined budgets of Luxembourg, Estonia, Malta, and Cyprus. A significant portion of this funding originates from the United States and the European Union, yet it often vanishes into a black hole of lack of accountability. Clearly, little of these resources contribute to the U.N.’s stated mission of upholding the inherent dignity and equal rights of all individuals, as outlined in its charter.

Envisioning a New Coalition

It is time to envision a new alliance of democratic nations, which I propose calling DAWN, the Democratic Alliance for World Nations. This namesake may be poetic, but the need for such a coalition is urgent. Our goal would not be to redefine existing objectives but rather to strengthen the terms of membership. A commitment to democracy would become a cornerstone requirement, along with the readiness to confront authoritarian regimes that undermine our shared values. Furthermore, we must focus on contemporary challenges, such as terrorism, religious extremism, misinformation, reckless nuclear proliferation, and the manipulation of democratic processes by those opposed to democracy.

The new organization should also emphasize meaningful economic collaboration among states that respect intellectual property, support human rights, protect freedom of expression, and conduct fair elections. By creating incentives for other nations to transition toward democracy, we can encourage a global movement toward better governance. Above all, we must assert clearly that nations seeking the resources, influence, and capabilities of democratic societies must adhere to their principles. Democracy is not an exclusive club but rather a shared commitment that demands accountability. States that refuse to meet these obligations should no longer enjoy the privileges afforded to democracies.

Setting a New Standard

In summary, it is paramount for democratic nations to reevaluate their engagement with the United Nations. The current structure disproportionately empowers authoritarian regimes while diminishing the voice of democracies. By pushing for a new coalition that prioritizes democratic values and holds members accountable, we can begin to rectify the imbalances within international governance and promote a world that aligns with our fundamental beliefs.