2011 United Nations Security Council Member Bosnia does not support the Palestinian bid for full UN membership . Bosnia abstains in the vote , denying the Palestinians the nine votes needed to gain a victory . AJC ’ s longstanding support for aid to Bosnia and its advocacy for an end to the regional conflict are crucial to Bosnia ’ s decision in the vote . Foreign Minister of Bosnia Sven Alkalaj says :
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You , the American Jewish Committee , were there for us in our time of need during the war in Bosnia in the 1990s . We will be there for you on this vote at the UN Security Council .”
2013 Global leaders and the media acknowledge AJC ’ s impact on the European Union ’ s decision to label Hezbollah ’ s “ military wing ” a terrorist organization .
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After talks with representatives from the American Jewish Committee and security experts , German Interior Minister Hans- Peter Friedrich said he favored banning the group ( Hezbollah ) in Europe .”
— Der Spiegel Online March 29 , 2013
2012 2013
November 29 , 2012 Voting by an overwhelming majority — 138 in favor to 9 against , with 41 abstentions — the United Nations General Assembly accords Palestine Non-Member Observer State status , following a failed bid for recognition as a full member state of the UN .
March 13 , 2013 Jorge Mario Bergoglio becomes Pope Francis , as he is named the 266th pope of the Roman Catholic Church . Bergoglio is the first pope from outside of Europe since the 8th century .
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