Arab states attempt to block Israeli from UN human rights post

In a move which smacks directly of antisemitism, the Arab Group of states is attempting to block the appointment of an Israeli as a UN human rights expert. The subject matter is the rights of the elderly. Dr. Israel Doron has been proposed to become the next UN Independent Expert on the enjoyment of all human rights by older persons.

The candidates for the UN independent human rights experts, called "Special Procedures", are vetted by the UN Human Rights Council Consultative Group which submits to the President of the Council a list of candidates "who possess the highest qualifications and meet the general criteria and particular requirements". On the basis of the recommendations of the Consultative Group and following consultations, the President identifies a candidate and presents it to the Council for approval.

Dr. Doron's appointment has been recommended by both the Consultative Group and the President of the Council.

However, on March 13, 2014, Yemen, acting on behalf of the Arab group, circulated the following letter to the President of the Council:

Excellency,
At the outset I would like to express my appreciation for your valuable efforts as President of the UN Human Rights Council.
I am writing this letter to you in my capacity as the Coordinator of the Arab Group I would like to express my disappointment for the appointing an Independent Expert on the enjoyment of all human rights by older persons from a country that does not have diplomatic relations with many Arab Islamic and other countries. As you may understand it will be difficult for these countries to deal with this expert or to facilitate his missions. I therefore call upon you to reconsider the appointment and identify an appropriate candidate for this mandate on the basis of criteria highlighted in the IB package.
Please accept Excellency the assurances of my highest consideration.

Dr. Ali Mohamed Majawr
Ambassador
Permanent Representative of Yemen
Coordinator of the Arab Group

Of course, the only reason Israel has no diplomatic relations with "many Arab and Islamic countries" is that those same Arab and Islamic countries refuse to recognize the Jewish state.