The official Arab role in the UN Security Council from the Israeli aerial bombardment of Iraq in 1981

Abstract

The research aims to highlight the official Arab position on the Israeli air attack on the Iraqi nuclear reactor on June 7, 1981. The Arab countries strongly condemned that attack. The Arab countries sent letters to the UN Security Council in the period 8-9 June of that year. The Arab countries called on the Security Council to hold an emergency session to address the Israeli aggression, and asked it to make these letters as official documents condemning Israel in the documents of the United Nations. Most Arab countries participated in the sessions held by the Security Council from 12-19 June, and demanded in their official statements that Israel should be punished under Chapter VII of the UN Charter. In the end, the Arab countries succeeded in putting pressure on the Security Council to pass Resolution 487 on June 19. The resolution emphasized Israel's condemnation of the military attack on Iraq, because the attack constituted a violation of the United Nations Charter and international law. The Security Council called for Israel to refrain in the future from committing or threatening to commit such acts. The Council considers the said attack to constitute a serious threat to the entire IAEA safeguards system. The Security Council fully recognizes the inalienable sovereign right of Iraq and other countries, especially developing countries, to establish programs for nuclear technological development, to advance their economy and industry for peaceful purposes in accordance with their current and future needs and in a manner consistent with internationally accepted goals with regard to the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons. The Security Council calls upon Israel to quickly bring its nuclear facilities under International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards. The Security Council believes that Iraq is entitled to receive appropriate compensation for the damage it has suffered, for which Israel has admitted its responsibility.