Israel’s UN envoy defends strikes in Syria ahead of Security Council meeting

Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, asserts the importance of IDF military actions in Syria ahead of a UN Security Council meeting to be held on the matter tomorrow.

“The Security Council must understand: Failing to recognize Israel’s right and obligation to defend itself not only undermines the legitimacy of a sovereign nation, it endangers the stability of the entire region,” says Danon in a statement from his spokesperson.

Tomorrow’s meeting, which comes at the request of Algeria and Somalia, will address Israel’s recent strikes in Syria, according to the statement.

Israel has carried out a campaign to destroy Syrian military capabilities so that they cannot threaten the Jewish state, fearing that if Turkey establishes a military presence in Syria, it could hamper the Israeli Air Force’s freedom of action in the region.

“Israel will act by all necessary means to ensure the safety of its citizens. Those who question the importance of Israel’s operations in Syria ignore the serious threats along our border. Israel’s presence in the region is not a source of escalation, but a defensive barrier that prevents it in the face of terror, chaos and collapse. Israel is the responsible actor working to stabilize the region,” continues Danon.

On Saturday, Reuters reported that Turkey scoped out at least three airbases in Syria where it could deploy forces as part of a planned joint defense pact, before Israel hit the sites with airstrikes.

On April 2, the IDF struck “remaining military capabilities” at the Hama military airport and T-4 airbase in western Syria, as well as “military infrastructure” in the Damascus area, according to the IDF.