Israeli Media Focus on Rebeca Grynspan’s Jewish Roots as UN Chief Race Heats Up
Costa Rican diplomat and economist Rebeca Grynspan has emerged as an early frontrunner in the race to become the next United Nations secretary-general, drawing particular attention from Israeli media because of her Jewish heritage and family ties to Israel.
Grynspan received 10 “encourage” votes, four “no opinion” votes and one “discourage” vote in the Security Council’s first informal straw poll on July 30. Seven candidates took part, and further rounds could change the standings. The council is expected to settle on a candidate by October, with any permanent member able to block a nominee through a veto.
If selected, Grynspan would become the first woman, first Central American and first Jewish person to lead the UN. She was born in Costa Rica in 1955 to European Jewish refugees, while members of her extended family were killed during the Holocaust.
Israeli media have highlighted her sister’s life in Israel and other family connections, with some portraying Grynspan as relatively sympathetic to Israel. However, family ties do not necessarily establish how she would approach Israel-Palestine issues as secretary-general.
Her record at UNCTAD offers a more complex picture. Under her leadership, the agency has documented the economic impact of Israel’s occupation and the destruction of Gaza’s economy. Grynspan has also called for unrestricted humanitarian access to Gaza.
Her perceived relationship with Israel could therefore prove both an advantage and a liability as she seeks support from governments with sharply divided views on Israel and the Gaza war.
