Equality for Israel at the United Nations Act of 1998 - Expresses the sense of the Congress that: (1) the United States must promote an end to the exclusion of Israel from any of the United Nations regional blocs, including rotating membership on the UN Security Council; and (2) the U.S. Ambassador to the UN should take all steps necessary to ensure Israel's acceptance in the Western Europe and Others Group regional bloc (membership which includes the non-European countries of Canada, Australia, and the United States). Directs the Secretary of State to report to appropriate congressional committees on efforts taken to achieve such goals.
Editorial Explainer
This bill expresses Congress's position that the U.S. should work to end Israel's exclusion from UN regional groups, specifically pushing for Israel's acceptance into the Western Europe and Others Group (which currently includes Canada, Australia, and the U.S.). It directs the Secretary of State to report back to Congress on progress toward that goal.
Why it matters
Regional bloc membership affects voting power and rotating access to the UN Security Council. The bill signals Congressional intent to use U.S. diplomatic leverage specifically to advance Israel's institutional standing at the UN, a measurable marker of pro-Israel legislative priority.