The Emirati candidate and the Israeli preference: the race for UN Secretary-General

The race for UN Secretary-General continues after seven rounds of voting without a decision. The leading candidate is Rebecca Greenspan from Costa Rica, and the Emirati candidate Lana Nusseibeh is receiving significant support. Israel views both positively but fears the Turkish candidate and the candidate from Guyana.

The race for UN Secretary-General continues after seven secret ballots in the Security Council, in which no candidate secured the required majority. The leading candidate is former Vice President of Costa Rica Rebecca Greenspan, who received 11 votes in favor and 4 against in the latest straw poll. If elected, she would be the first Jewish woman in the role. Another prominent candidate is Emirati diplomat Lana Nusseibeh, of Palestinian origin, who received 7 votes in favor and support from the Palestinian delegation, but faced criticism over the UAE's role in arming forces in Sudan. Israel views both candidates as figures it can work with, but fears the candidate from Guyana, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, who claimed Israel committed genocide, and the new Turkish candidate Feridun Sinirlioğlu. Israel's UN Ambassador Danny Danon criticized Guterres' tenure and demanded a clear moral compass. Five of the eight candidates are from Latin America, and Israel has no principled objection to a candidate from the region. The UN expects additional candidates may join the race.