Kind Sir,
Both Ireland and the UK pride themselves on their longstanding dedication to UN peacekeeping. Our peacekeepers willingly endanger their lives to accomplish the objectives bestowed upon them by the UN Security Council in a bid to uphold global peace and security. It’s a duty of all UN member states to endorse and maintain their peacekeeping missions.
This is the cornerstone of the widespread concern within the UK, amplified in the joint declaration by the foreign ministers of France, Germany, Italy, and the UK, over recent assaults by Israel Defence Forces on Unifil bases in Lebanon. These bases are manned by hundreds of Irish troops. We openly denounce all attempts to compromise Unifil’s security and demand an immediate halt to all attacks aimed at UN peacekeepers.
My administration believes fervently in the international rule of law, which informs every facet of our policy. It is our unambiguous view that any intentional assault on Unifil violates international humanitarian law and contravenes the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701.
We summon Israel and all involved parties to honour their commitments to ensure the safety and security of UN peacekeepers and grant Unifil the freedom to fulfil its fundamental directive.
Your Sincerely,
Paul Johnston,
UK Ambassador to Ireland,
Dublin 4.