H.E. Mr. Kodjo Menan
President of the Security Council
Permanent Representative of Togo to the United Nations
Excellency,
On 21 May 2013, an IDF jeep was on routine patrol inside Israel. Without provocation and in brazen contravention to international agreements, Syrian forces opened fire on the jeep from a military outpost inside Syria.
This was the fifth time that Syrian forces have fired into Israel from this military outpost. On 20 May 2013, Israel issued a warning to the Syrians through UNDOF. We indicated that any future attacks from this particular outpost would require Israel to respond in self-defense.
Responsibility for the event rests entirely with the Government of Syria which instructed its troops to fire on the jeep. Despite numerous complaints, they have persisted in these acts of aggression. The IDF forces, acting in self-defense, fired back the Syrian military outpost.
This week’s events are part of a disturbing pattern of events intended to spark provocation with Israel. We expect the international community to hold the Government of Syria accountable for undermining international agreements and regional stability.
Israel will continue to take great efforts to maintain regional peace while exercising its right to self-defense. 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.
Yours truly,
Ron Prosor
Ambassador
Permanent Representative