Statement by Permanent Representative Vassily Nebenzia at UNSC briefing on Israeli attacks against the Iranian diplomatic compound in Damascus
Mme.President,
We have taken note of the factual briefing by ASG Khiari on another series of attacks by Israel against the territory of the Syrian Arab Republic. At the same time, we find it strange that the representative of the UN Secretariat operates with the notion "rules-based international order", which our Western partners prefer over the United Nations Charter and international law.
We thank the Maltese Presidency for promptly convening today's urgent meeting of the United Nations Security Council under the agenda item "Threats to international peace and security". We initiated it to discuss the ongoing rocket and bomb attacks by the Israel Defense Forces against various sites in Syria that took place against the backdrop of the unprecedented in terms of casualties military operation of West Jerusalem in the Gaza Strip, which continues despite the demand of UNSC resolution 2728 for an immediate ceasefire. We are extremely concerned about such blatant disregard by the Israeli leadership (with the connivance of the United States) for a legally binding decision of the Security Council. For example, there was an attack by Israel on a humanitarian convoy, coordinated by the NGO World Central Kitchen, as it was exiting a warehouse in central Gaza. That strike killed seven humanitarian workers. Even the Prime Minister of Israel recognized that the actions of the Israeli military caused the deaths of peaceful civilians. We expect that we will discuss this issue separately. Now we are gathered to consider yet another aspect of Israel's irresponsible actions.
Mme.President,
Yesterday, on April 1, 2024, the Israeli Air Force struck the building of the Consulate of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Damascus. As a result of the attack, the building was completely destroyed. The office of the IRI Ambassador to Syria was also damaged. Reportedly, there is a significant number of casualties and injuries among his staff.
We condemn this attack in the strongest terms. We regard as categorically unacceptable any attacks on diplomatic and consular facilities, the inviolability of which is guaranteed by the relevant Vienna Conventions of 1961 and 1963.
We should like to draw particular attention to the fact that this is not the first attack by Israel Israel in the densely populated Damascus metropolitan area, which has posed high risks of mass civilian casualties. Since the beginning of the escalation of the Palestinian-Israeli confrontation on October 7, 2023, the number of Israeli attacks on civilian infrastructure of Syria and neighboring countries has multiplied. On the night of March 29, the Israeli aviation carried out missile strikes on various facilities in the vicinity of Aleppo. Dozens of people fell victims to that attack, many were injured. Earlier, on March 28, two civilians were injured after an Israeli airstrike in Damascus Province. On March 17 and 19, Israeli bombardments were already launched from the occupied Syrian Golan and aimed at the northeastern and southern suburbs of Damascus.
In the past few months alone, Israeli aircraft have repeatedly attacked the international airports in Damascus and Aleppo, which serve as the main gateways for the entry of United Nations humanitarian aid into Syria, as well as the areas of Deir ez-Zor and Abu Kemal, where the Syrian military continues its persistent struggle against the remaining fighters of terrorist groups to whom our American colleagues, contrary to their high-sounding statements, are in fact providing tutelage and patronage. But we will leave that to a Security Council meeting on Syria.
Mme.President,
The Russian Federation strongly condemns the ongoing raids against the sovereign territory of Syria, viewing them as a flagrant violation of SAR’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. We believe that such aggressive actions by Israel, which are designed to further fuel the conflict, are absolutely unacceptable and must stop
We urge West Jerusalem to abandon the practice of provocative military actions on the territory of Syria and other neighboring countries, which are fraught with extremely dangerous risks and consequences for the entire region, which has already been destabilized by the six months of escalation of violence around Gaza.
We call on the international community to unequivocally condemn Israel's reckless actions, which violate the sovereignty of the Syrian Arab Republic and the inviolability of diplomatic property. We consider it necessary for all responsible members of the international community to provide an objective legal assessment of Israel's aggression in the Middle East, which ignores not only the provisions of the UN Charter and relevant UNSC and UNGA resolutions, but also the fundamental principles of the Vienna Conventions on Diplomatic and Consular Relations.
Colleagues, I hope for solidarity among the members of the Security Council that attacks on diplomatic institutions are unacceptable. After all, unless we confirm this solidarity, whatever the next raid will be, it may target a diplomatic mission of any state. We trust that each of you today will give a fair assessment to Israel's actions against the Iranian diplomatic presence.
Thank you.
Right of reply:
Mme.President,
We listened attentively to today's statements by three Western permanent members of the Security Council and were once again struck by their cynicism and double standards. From their narrative today, one could hardly figure out what we have gathered here for.
The representative of France said anything but a word condemning yet another violation of international law by Israel. That was a targeted attack on a diplomatic institution! Colleagues, if your embassies or consulates in the region were attacked, would you react the same way? That’s your "rules-based order" in all its obviousness
The US always proudly has first-hand information on anything, because thanks to its intelligence capabilities, the US is always the first to know. But for some reason, you still have no confirmed information about the strike on the Iranian Consulate General. I don't believe you - that’s what I'm inclined to say.
Statements of both the United Kingdom and the United States contained not just hints but also clear implications that Iran and Syria are to blame for Israel's strike on the Iranian Consulate. A greater sacrilege is hard to imagine.
Do not call on others to de-escalate and label the attack’s victims as aggressors. In that context, any possible escalation will be entirely on your conscience.
Thank you.
