Israel was elected one of 21 vice-presidents of the next General Assembly session yesterday.
The 191-member assembly approved the uncontested slate of vice-presidents after electing veteran Swedish diplomat Jan Eliasson president of the 60th General Assembly session, which will start in September with a summit addressing UN reform and poverty.
Israeli Ambassador Dan Gillerman described the vote as "a historic moment for Israel" and Secretary-General Kofi Annan welcomed the General Assembly's decision.
As a vice-president, Mr Gillerman will preside over the world body in the absence of the president and help formulate the agenda.
The election marks the first time an Israeli will serve as a General Assembly vice-president since the late Abba Eban 53 years ago.
Under UN rules, regional groups decide who fills the 10 rotating seats on the Security Council and other key UN committee assignments in the General Assembly and other UN bodies.
Until 2000, Israel was the only UN member that was not part of a regional group, because Arab nations have repeatedly blocked its admission to the Asian Group
- where it belongs geographically.
Under pressure from the United States, Israel's greatest ally, the regional group of European, North American and other countries invited Israel to become a temporary member
- until the Asian Group approves full membership.
This year, the West European and Others Group, known as WEOG, nominated Israel as its candidate for a vice-presidency of the General Assembly.
Mr Gillerman said in a statement that Israel's election as a vice-president demonstrates the confidence of WEOG members in the country's sincerity in working to advance the cause of peace in the region.