NEW YORK — Since Israel’s Ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon arrived here in New York some 15 months ago, he’s become inured to the diplomatic roller coaster that is his posting.

Yes, his tenure thus far has enjoyed several victories: passing UN recognition of Yom Kippur; organizing the first anti-BDS conference; seeing the cafeteria serve kosher food and becoming the first Israeli in UN history to head a major UN committee — in spite of vigorous Iranian and Arab opposition.

But then came the stomach-lurching moment when, on December 23, the United States broke with years of policy and abstained on Security Council resolution 2334, which calls for an immediate cessation to Israeli settlement construction in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.

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Though the vote didn’t catch Danon off guard — Israel knew in advance the abstention was coming — it nevertheless left him profoundly disappointed.

“You know for me personally, to be in a room and see all the other member states voting against Israel, and the US allowing it to happen, will be a moment I will never forget. I think the resolution was the lowest place in decades regarding Israel and the US at the UN,” Danon told The Times of Israel.

“We did work with the US mission very closely and we achieved a lot of things together, but that shameful vote will be what people remember of President Obama’s presidency. They will not remember all the good things we did. They will remember this moment when the US abandoned Israel and allowed a one-sided resolution to pass. So yes, we do need to correct the relationship and show the world we have a great relationship.”

With that in mind, the 45-year-old diplomat remains optimistic and is setting his sights on 2017. Danon has high hopes for improved relationships with not only the UN and incoming Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, but also with the US.

To start, the ambassador said he looks forward to working with South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for the next US ambassador to the UN. The topic of Haley brought the conversation to how Trump’s election resonated through the mission.

Danon said Israel felt confident with both presidential candidates, and unlike other missions who are now feeling insecure regarding various international initiatives such as climate change, “We don’t feel that way. We feel secure. I know he [Trump] is passionate about Israel and we know it will be a very supportive administration.”

As to the anti-Semitism and bigotry that marked Trump’s presidential campaign and the number of anti-Semitic incidents since his election, Danon attributed it to politics as usual.

“Being Israelis we are used to campaigns that blame the other side. We are used to the heated language of campaigns and the only concern for us are the actions and the votes,” he said.

Danon said he also looks forward to ushering in a new era of accountability at the UN regarding its member states. As a result of Security Council Resolution 2334, Israel announced it would suspend a portion of UN funding, about $6 million, allocated to four committees on Palestinian issues.

Additionally, Danon said he welcomes the chance to reset Israel’s relationship with the UN. In a recent op-ed in The New York Times, Danon said Israel is prepared “to work together on repairing our fractious relationship with the United Nations and finally becoming a full partner in the world’s most important international forum.”

But of course a successful relationship requires two willing partners, and Danon recognizes that.

“I think we should try to engage more and be more involved. I believe one day we should be able to contribute more. We take a lot of pride in our accomplishments and we should become more involved in global issues,” he said.

‘We believe we should work with Arab countries to move forward with the Palestinians’

Part of that means becoming more involved in UN peacekeeping operations, whether through the use of technology, training or troops. Regarding the latter, Danon doesn’t envision thousands, or even hundreds of troops, participating in peacekeeping missions. Rather, he’d like to see doctors, officers and the like provide training on the ground. He’d also like to see more Israelis apply for positions in the UN.

Danon recently traveled to Dubai in his capacity as Chair of the UN Legal Committee. It gave him an opportunity to hear about the similar issues both Israel and Dubai face, viz. the Iranian threat. It also gave Israel a chance to strengthen ties with other member states, he said.

“Our goal is to take support which is quiet and make it public. In the past people believed once we solve the conflict with the Palestinians we can actually work with the Arab countries,” Danon said. “It’s a new equation now. We believe we should work with Arab countries to move forward with the Palestinians.”

As he works to reset and reframe Israel’s role in the 71–year-old organization, he will continue reaching toward another milestone.

“The ultimate goal is to have a seat on the Security Council. I broke the glass ceiling when I got elected to be chair of the legal committee,” Danon said. “I think if we will have the honor to sit on the Security Council for the first time it will be very meaningful. It will not be easy, but in Israel we like challenges.”