A special session of the UN Security Council took place for two hours today on the dangers of spreading warfare in Southwest Asia, with the Israeli strikes and assassinations targeting Beirut and Tehran in the last 36 hours. The session was requested by China and Algeria, and Iran sent a letter today to the Security Council. The session was convened on an emergency basis by Russia, on the last day of its rotating monthly chairmanship. Joining the 15 member nations were several other nations including Iran, Israel, Iraq, and Lebanon.
Many diplomats spoke of the context of occupation and denial of rights of Palestinians for 75 years. The expected lines were drawn between Israel defending its actions, supported by the U.K. and the United States, and many nations opposing them. Most of these opposing nations called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
One formulation by the Israeli envoy was especially blood-curdling. He made the point that the international community today no longer celebrates assassinations when they should. They are guilty of hypocrisy when it comes to Iran. They should be celebrating. He said that, on May 2, 2011, UN leader Ban Ki Moon celebrated when Osama bin Laden was assassinated. That was 13 years ago. Now there has been a “drastic shift.” Iran must today be seen as not “merely the sponsor of terror,” but as its source and engine.
