COSTA RICA'S PRESIDENT MOVES AGAINST ISRAEL

Costa Rica's President Makes Mischief - Richard Schifter
Costa Rica has traditionally had excellent relations with both the U.S. and Israel, and it is home to a significant Jewish community. It is, therefore, a matter of concern to many friends of Costa Rica that the country's foreign policy has taken on a strongly anti-Israel bent under its current president, Oscar Arias, elected a second time in 2006. One of his first acts following his inauguration was to order Costa Rica's embassy to be moved from Jerusalem to Ramat Gan. He also saw to it that Costa Rica changed its vote from "abstain" to "yes" in support of the UN General Assembly resolutions that reauthorize annually the operation of a UN-funded, anti-Israel propaganda apparatus.

Aria's actions earned sufficient support from the Arab League and its allies to allow Costa Rica to win election to the UN Security Council for a two-year term that started on Jan. 1. On the Security Council, Costa Rica has clearly demonstrated a highly unfriendly attitude toward Israel.