> > Votes in the General Assembly are not the ones being vetoed by the United States. The United States vetoes Security Council resolutions, which also happen to come from the same Security Council that Israel *is not permitted to join*. And yet, every other nation takes a turn on the rotating, non-permanent, seats.
>
> Okay, wait a second. My curiosity has been piqued. Why isn't Israel allowed on the security council?


Here's what I am able to gather:

Every UN state belongs to one of five regional groups. Israel should, geographically, belong to the Asian group. But the Arab League, and it's allies (those being the Soviet/Third World bloc that along with the Arab states opposed the American/Western bloc during the Cold War) have successfully managed to prevent Israel's inclusion in this regional group.

Now, this is important because candidates for the Security Council are proposed on a regional basis. Israel is not a member of any region. Therefore: they are not able to gain membership on the Security Council (as well as other UN organizations, such as UNICEF, the World Court, the Commission on Human Rights.)

Israel has sought inclusion in the Western Europe and Others regional group (the one that includes the Western European democracies along with the U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and others.) However, they've not been admitted to this group either, despite American lobbying.

In the end: manipulation of the rules has made Israel the only nation not able to join the Security Council.

The Other Matthew