Continued Israeli Violations of Syrian Sovereignty Must Not Be Normalised
The World Embassy Desk (WED) expresses its grave concern over the reported Israeli airstrikes against the Abu al-Duhur Airbase in Syria.
The United States has described the strikes as an unnecessary escalation that does not contribute to regional stability. These attacks come despite repeated calls from states across the international community for restraint, respect for Syrian sovereignty and de-escalation.
WED is deeply concerned that, despite these repeated protests and diplomatic warnings, Israel continues to carry out military operations on the territory of other sovereign states.
Such conduct cannot be allowed to become normalised.
The sovereignty and territorial integrity of states are fundamental principles of the international legal order. The prohibition on the threat or use of force, enshrined in Article 2(4) of the Charter of the United Nations, is not an optional principle to be respected only when politically convenient.
Israel must respect the sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of Syria and other states in the region. Equally concerning is the continuing disregard for human life demonstrated by repeated military actions in densely populated and already destabilised parts of the region. International law exists not only to protect borders and states, but ultimately to protect people from the devastating consequences of unchecked military force.
Silence in the face of repeated violations risks contributing to their normalisation.
WED therefore calls upon states, international organisations and diplomatic missions to actively and publicly speak out against violations of international law and sovereignty, irrespective of the state responsible. Expressions of concern alone are no longer sufficient where violations continue despite repeated international objections.
The international community must collectively insist that international law applies equally to all states. Political alliances, military strength or strategic interests cannot provide immunity from the fundamental rules governing relations between nations.
WED calls for immediate de-escalation, full respect for Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and a renewed commitment by all states to resolve security concerns through diplomacy and international law rather than unilateral military force.