Israel plans to run for a rotating seat on the United Nations Security Council for 2019-2020, its UN Ambassador Ron Prosor said yesterday.

Mr Prosor told Reuters that Israel would face Germany and Belgium for one of two seats given to the “Western European and Others Group”. It will be the first time the country has put itself forward.

Although Israel has been vice-president of the UN General Assembly, it has never sat on the council. This prestigious position enables members to impose sanctions and authorise military force to support their decisions.

Mr Prosor said: “We’re going all out to win. It’s about time.”

But UN diplomats say winning will not be easy, given the need for a two-thirds majority in the 193-nation General Assembly election.

Most of the 120 non-aligned bloc of developing nations are hostile to Israel, and usually vote against the country on issues relating to Palestine.

Every two years, 10 rotating members from five regional groups are elected into the council. They join its five permanent members: Britain, France, Russia, China and the United States

Elections for next year’s Security Council will take place on October 17.