Deputy Attorney-General for International Affairs Dr. Gilad Noam outlined Israel’s legal position on behalf of Attorney-General Gali Baharav-Miara to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on Wednesday night regarding the war with Iran.
“Operation Rising Lion was initiated as part of the ongoing armed conflict between Iran and Israel, in response to the existential and immediate threat posed by Iran’s nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs,” Noam said.
“The operation is in strict compliance with international law,” Noam assured.
“As part of the ongoing conflict, Israel faced an existential and immediate threat, one that Iran intended to carry out. Israel had no choice but to act at this crucial moment, the last window of opportunity. Operation Rising Lion was a last resort, after diplomatic efforts had been exhausted and proven ineffective,” he told the UNSC.
This statement from the attorney-general followed a report revealing tensions between Baharav-Miara and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the Israeli High Court over the appointment of a permanent Shin Bet chief.
The attorney-general asserted that Netanyahu is prohibited from making the appointment due to the involvement of Qatar and the leakage of classified documents from his office.
In contrast, Netanyahu has maintained that the security needs outweigh any potential conflicts of interest. Despite this domestic disagreement, cooperation continues between the attorney-general and the government on the international legal front.
Israel’s actions are both necessary and proportionate
The statement further emphasizes that Israel’s actions are both necessary and proportionate and conducted in accordance with the laws of war.
During Operation Rising Lion, Israel targeted military sites, including Iranian nuclear facilities connected to Iran’s nuclear weapons program, ballistic missile systems, military assets, senior military commanders, and other entities directly engaged in hostilities against Israel, Noam said, according to Baharav-Miara's outline.
He concluded, “Israel has taken measures to minimize civilian harm and to avoid actions that could cause excessive collateral damage compared to the anticipated military benefit.”