Amb Prosor protests rocket fire from Syria 16 Jul 2014

Amb Prosor protests rocket fire from Syria, Lebanon

  •    
    ​Ron Prosor, Israel's ambassador to the United Nations, sent letters of protest to UN Secretery General Ban Ki-moon and the President of the Security Council Eugène-Richard Gasana.
  • icon_zoom.png
    Ambassador Ron Prosor Ambassador Ron Prosor Copyright: UN Photo/Devra Berkowitz
     
     
    Excellency,
    In the past week, I have sent letters alerting you to the barrage of rockets fired at Israel from Hamas in Gaza and terrorist organizations in Lebanon. Added to these threats, I am writing to inform you that Israel is now being attacked from a third front.
    On 13 and 14 July 2014, a series of Grad missiles were shot from Syria into the Israeli Golan Heights. These unprovoked attacks, which are in clear violation of the 1974 Separation of Forces Agreement, were launched from a Syrian government controlled area. The Government of Israel holds the Government of Syria and the Syrian army responsible for all attacks from its territory towards Israel.
    Israel has repeatedly issued warnings and sent letters to the Security Council cautioning that the provocations on the part of Syria will not be tolerated. The attacks on northern Israel have the potential to escalate tensions and further destabilize the region.
    Israel has shown maximum restraint thus far, but will exercise its full right for self-defense. I urge the Security Council to demand that the Syrian government respect the Separation of Forces Agreement and prevent future attacks on Israel.
    I should be grateful if you would have this letter distributed as an official document of the Security Council. Allow me, Excellency, to renew to you the assurances of my highest consideration.

    * * *
    After the latest rocket fire from Lebanon into Israeli territory, Ambassador Ron Prosor sent the following letter condemning the Lebanese rocket attack, which violates Security Council Resolution 1701. Prosor reiterated that Israel holds the Lebanese Government responsible for all attacks emanating from Lebanon.

    Excellency,

    As I write, the citizens of northern Israel are under attack from a series of rockets launched by terrorists in Lebanon, the most recent of which fell just hours ago. The Government of Israel holds the Government of Lebanon and its armed forces responsible for all attacks emanating from Lebanese territory.  These attacks constitute a flagrant breach of Security Council Resolution 1701.

    Instead of standing guard, Lebanese Armed Forces are standing by as terror organizations in its territory exacerbate regional instability.  Israel has shown maximum restraint in responding to these attacks, but can no longer be expected to stand by as its citizens are continuously put at risk. Israel will not accept any attacks on its territory.

    The recent attacks are a reminder that illegal arms continue to flow into Southern Lebanon.  Before the situation further deteriorates, the Security Council must call on the Lebanese Government to take responsibility by deploying the Lebanese Armed Forces in its south.  This is essential to preventing additional attacks against Israel.  Furthermore, Israel expects the Lebanese Government to arrest the perpetrators launching these rockets.

    Israel calls on the Security Council to ensure the enforcement of Resolution 1701.  This includes the arms embargo and sanctioning all those involved in the sale and supply of arms to terrorists.

    I should be grateful if you would have this letter distributed as an official document of the Security Council. I wish to inform you that an identical letter has been sent to H.E. Mr. Ban Ki-Moon, Secretary-General of the United Nations. Allow me, Excellency, to renew to you the assurances of my highest consideration.