Israel pulls out of race for UN Security Council

Israel has withdrawn from a race for a seat on the UN Security Council as a non-permanent member. According to a press statement by the Israeli mission to the United Nations, the State of Israel decided to postpone its candidacy for a seat on the UNSC after consulting its "partners and good friends".

"It was decided that we will continue to act with our allies to allow for Israel to realize its right for full participation and inclusion in decision-making processes at the UN," a Xinhua report quoted the statement.

The move will enable Belgium and Germany secure spots on the Security Council's elected seats reserved for Western Europe and other regions. Both the countries will still need to secure at least two-thirds of votes at the General Assembly elections next month.

If elected, Belgium and Germany will replace Netherlands and Sweden as UNSC non-permanent members. 

United Nations' Security Council has 15 members in total -- five permanent and 10 non-permanent. The non-permanent members are elected by the General Assembly for two-year terms, five non-permanent members nations are replaced every year.

China, France, Russia, the UK, the United States are the permanent member nations on the UNSC. Bolivia, Côte d’Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Netherlands, Peru, Poland, Sweden are the non-permanent members of the Council at present.