Israel “will continue to defend our citizens and our territory from any threat or violation of our sovereignty,” Danon told the UN.
By: United with Israel Staff
Israel’s Ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon called on the Security Council (UNSC) to condemn the infiltration of Israeli airspace by a Syrian Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV).
On Wednesday, a Syrian unarmed reconnaissance UAV penetrated 9.6 kilometers into Israeli airspace and was shortly after intercepted by a Patriot missile above the Sea of Galilee. In response, the IDF targeted three military posts in Syria.
“The IDF will continue to operate determinedly and decisively against any attempts to hurt Israeli civilians and breaches of Israeli sovereignty,” the army stated after the airstrikes. “The IDF holds the Syrian regime accountable for the actions carried out in its territory and warns it from further action against Israeli forces.”
In a letter to the UNSC, Danon decried the incident, which he said “threatened the safety and security of Israel’s northern cities and towns. Thankfully, the Israel Defense Forces intercepted the UAV, preventing the possibility of a more serious security incident.”
Danon noted that the incident occurred during a time of heightened tensions on Israel’s border with Syria. President Basher al-Assad’s advancing armies towards Israel’s northern border have put the IDF on high alert.
“We have repeatedly warned the Security Council of the destabilizing activities taking place in Syria and the threats they pose to Israel and the Middle East,” he wrote. “Israel holds the Syrian government accountable for every attack originating from its territory. We will not tolerate breaches of the 1974 Separation of Forces Agreement and will continue to defend our citizens and our territory from any threat or violation of our sovereignty.”
“I urge the Security Council to condemn this dangerous act that not only threatens Israel, but the stability of the entire region,” Danon concluded.
Relating to the incident after meeting President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Israel “will continue to take strong action against any trickle [of fire] and any infiltration into Israel’s airspace or territory.”
Israel expects that “everyone will respect this sovereignty and that Syria will strictly abide by the [1974] Separation of Forces Agreement,” he said.