9 Winter 2026 international community refuse to acknowledge the closely inter-related network of radical actors in the Middle East, and instead attempt to frame the current situation as de novo exchanges of fire between Israel and Iran. The ample evidence and openly declared ties between Iran and the Iran-backed, trained, and equipped axis of terror – actively working toward its declared goal of destroying Israel – cannot be ignored. In fact, rockets fired at Israel by the Houthis, Hamas or Hezbollah on an almost daily basis since the horrendous massacre of October 7, are almost never reported by European media. It takes a direct exchange of fire between Israel and Iran to make your headlines. Israelis cannot afford such a privileged approach. Since October 7, 2023, the Israeli population has been subjected to near-daily fire – ranging from single projectiles to large-scale barrages – of missiles, rockets, mortars, and explosive drones launched by Iran and its proxies, amounting to a staggering total of 19,484 rocket and 606 UAV alerts. Indiscriminate attacks were fired towards civilian population centers, causing death, injury and destruction. There can be no doubt that an armed conflict between Iran and Israel has been ongoing, and any references to Israel starting a “new” war with Iran by initiating Operation “Rising Lion” on June 13 are clearly divorced from the reality. We are not starting a war – we are defending our country and people from an enemy whose declared military objective is that Israel “must be eradicated.” Given that Israel is engaged in an ongoing armed conflict with Iran, it is not required to assess its actions toward Iran under the legal framework for initiating a war, but rather under the laws governing the conduct of hostilities therein. Nonetheless, even if such an assessment were necessary – which it is not – Israel’s actions would fully meet all the requirements of lawful self-defense under international law. Any other interpretation of Israel’s inherent right to self-defense, especially when nuclear weapons are involved, turns international law into a suicidal pact, and has long been rejected not only by Israel but also by the UK, the U.S., Australia, and a number of NATO countries, who have long held the position that the right to self-defense under international law – just like any other under any legal regime – includes the right to use force when an armed attack is imminent. There is absolutely no requirement of international law that compelled Israel to allow further deterioration of the situation and jeopardize its ability to thwart the Iranian nuclear weapons threat. As for Israel’s conduct throughout the operation, here too Israel has maintained its commitment to international law, and particularly the principles of distinction, proportionality, and precautions. Iran’s nuclear weapons program, ballistic missiles infrastructure, and key military officials and scientists with exceptional and decisive value for the outcome of an armed conflict, who were integral to the development of Iran’s nuclear weapons program and were actively involved in its ongoing advancement – are all military objectives. Here, too, despite operational challenges involved in fighting a sophisticated enemy thousands of miles away, Israel took all feasible measures to mitigate the incidental loss of civilian life and damage to civilian objects. In stark contrast, Iran indiscriminately attacked Israeli population centers, striking homes, a hospital, and even foreign diplomatic missions in Tel Aviv. Would you allow such a radical regime to develop nuclear capabilities if your nation were threatened to be annihilated? The massacre of October 7 has forever changed the Israeli psyche. When our enemies rally for our destruction, amass the necessary weapons arsenal to do so, devise a coordinated, fully operational multi-front extermination plan, we do not ignore them. We listen – unlike the United Nations, which has never held Iran accountable for its long standing and repeated call for the elimination of Israel. Operation “Rising Lion,” supported by decisive U.S. action, was more than a military achievement that has changed the Middle East. It was a strategic message to the Iranian regime, delivered with the obliterating force: the era of denial and placating aggressive and lawless regimes is over. As NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte admitted himself, the U.S.-Israeli operation was something no one else dared to do, and it made us all safer.n Ambassador Daniel Meron serves as Permanent Representative of Israel to the United Nations Office at Geneva.
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