Israel has historically refrained from seeking one of the rotating seats on the United Nations Security Council, and was effectively prevented from doing so from 1961 until 2000. But it has now expressed interest in running for a seat in 2018. Michal Hatuel-Radoshitzky argues that it would be wise to do so:
The most significant [benefit of Security Council] membership . . . is international recognition. Particularly for states such as Israel, whose [legitimacy is constantly being questioned], even if access to real influence would be minimal, . . . council membership [nonetheless] confers status and recognition on a state, increasing the prestige of its diplomats both in New York and around the world. . . .
With this in mind, Israel would be wise to develop a well thought-out strategy in order to pursue a seat on the Security Council. In fact, in June 2016, Israel won an election to chair the United Nations’ legal committee, marking the first time that it will head one of the UN’s six permanent committees since joining the organization in 1949. This development signifies a welcome shift in Israeli policy from dismissing the UN as biased against Israel to engaging [it] and striving to create change from within.
Read more on Institute for National Security Studies: http://www.inss.org.il/index.aspx?id=4538&articleid=12012