Excellency,  

Re: Mortar Shells from Syria

I write to draw your attention to an alarming development in our region.  On 9 October 2013, mortar shells were fired from Tel el-Ahmar, a Syrian military outpost, into northern Israel.  This action represents yet another grave violation of the 1974 Separation of Forces Agreement.  Assad’s disregard for international agreements is exceeded only by his disregard for the lives of the Syrian people. 

Israel has repeatedly issued warnings and sent letters to the Security Council cautioning that these sorts of provocations will not be tolerated.  Israel cannot be expected to stand by as Assad’s reign of terror results in shells raining on our citizens. The IDF notified UNDOF and then returned fire on the Syrian military outpost where the shell originated from. 

The continuous attacks on our border have the potential to escalate an already tense situation and further destabilize the region.  Israel has shown maximum restraint thus far. I urge the Security Council to address this development immediately before the situation escalates further.

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. Agshin Mehdiyev

President of the Security Council

United Nations

New York