CAIRO — Attempts by Arab countries to oppose Israel's candidacy for a nonpermanent seat at the UN Security Council have not gone unnoticed in the Arab League and Arab foreign ministers’ meetings.

The council — tasked with maintaining international peace and security — has five seats for permanent members and 10 for temporary ones. Five of the latter will be opening up next year. While the elections aren’t until June, those interested in snagging a spot have already started campaigning and outreach. This will be the first time Israel seeks a seat.

In the Arab foreign ministers' meeting Sept. 19 in New York, spokesman for Arab League Secretary-General Mahmoud Afifi said, “The Arab League secretary-general, Ambassador Ahmed Aboul-Gheit, stressed the importance of taking actions in this regard. This is in order to activate the recent decision issued in the Arab Ministerial Council meeting Sept. 12. This is namely the formation of two Arab League committees. The first is to act in order to counter Israel’s candidacy for a UN Security Council seat for 2019-20, and the second is to search for ways to deal with the Israeli infiltration in the African continent.”

Arab foreign ministers met at the Arab League headquarters Sept. 12 and decided to form a ministerial committee to counter the Israeli candidacy for a nonpermanent seat at the UN Security Council for 2019-20.