I am writing to complain about a tragic incident that occurred on the Blue Line between Israel and Lebanon on 15 December 2013 at 7:40 pm. While driving inside Israeli sovereign territory, Israeli soldier Shlomi Cohen was killed by seven shots fired from within Lebanon by a member of the Lebanese Armed Forces. This was an unprovoked attack carried out by the Lebanese Armed Forces in breach of Security Council Resolution 1701.

This alarming incident risks destabilizing the situation between Israel and Lebanon along the Blue Line.

I call on the Council to unanimously condemn this grievous breach of Security Council Resolution 1701. The Lebanese government must be held accountable for this unprovoked attack by its armed forces. These provocations and breaches of Israeli sovereignty will not be tolerated.

Israel cannot be expected to stand by as its soldiers and citizens are repeatedly put at risk. I urge the Security Council to address this issue immediately, before the situation further escalates. 

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

H.E. Mr. Gérard Araud

President of the Security Council

United Nations          

New York​