UN / SYRIA ISRAEL

FILE - NEW YORK CITY

1. Wide shot, exterior United Nations Headquarters

10 APRIL 2025, NEW YORK CITY

2. Wide shot, Security Council
3. Med shot, Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix and Syrian Ambassador Qusay al-Dahhak
4. SOUNDBITE (English) Khaled Khiari, Assistant Secretary-General for the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific, Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations:
“The IDF has publicly confirmed it has built multiple positions in the area of separation on the Golan. Israeli officials have also spoken about Israel’s intentions to stay in Syria for the foreseeable future. Such facts on the ground are not easily reversed. They do threaten Syria's fragile political transition.”
5. Wide shot, Council
6. SOUNDBITE (English) Khaled Khiari, Assistant Secretary-General for the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific, Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations:
“The Israeli Defence Minister was quoted on 3rd of April as qualifying the recent airstrikes in Syria as a warning for the future, and he added that Israel would not allow Syria to become a threat to Israel's security interests. Considering these developments, let me recall this Council's Presidential Statement on 14th of March, which reaffirmed a strong commitment to the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of Syria.”
7. Med shot, al-Dahhak
8. SOUNDBITE (English) Khaled Khiari, Assistant Secretary-General for the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific, Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations:
“Syria's opportunities to stabilise after 14 years of conflict must be supported and protected. For Syrians and for Israelis, this is the only way regional peace and security can be realised.”
9. Med shot, Lacroix speaking
10. SOUNDBITE (English) Jean-Pierre Lacroix, Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, United Nations:
“The situation in the UNDOF area of operations since the closed security Council consultation on UNDOF on the 19th of March has remained volatile and continues to be characterised by significant violations of the 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement with the entry of the Israeli Defence Forces, IDF, into the area of separation since the 8th of December.”
11. Med shot, Lacroix speaking
12. SOUNDBITE (English) Jean-Pierre Lacroix, Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, United Nations:
“The IDF also continue to impose some restrictions of movement on UNDOF and Observer Group Golan personnel in the area of separation, where restrictions on the movement of people residing in the area also continue. Residents in some areas have protested disruptions from IDF activities, including farming, detention of civilians and seizure of large numbers of livestock.”
13. Med shot, Lacroix speaking
14. SOUNDBITE (English) Jean-Pierre Lacroix, Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, United Nations:
“It remains critical that all parties uphold their obligation under the 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement, including by ending all unauthorised presence in the areas of separation and limitation, as well as refraining from any action that would undermine the ceasefire and stability on the Syrian Golan. There should be no military forces or activities in the area of separation, other than those of UNDOF. All actions that are inconsistent with the agreement are unacceptable.”
15. Med shot, al-Dahhak speaking
16. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Qusay al-Dahhak, Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Syrian Arab Republic:
“The Israeli occupying authorities have persisted in their aggressive actions which constitute a challenge to international efforts and aim at threatening the unity and integrity of the Syrian territory, undermining the efforts of the Syrian Government and imposing a new reality that contradicts the hope and aspiration of the Syrians to live in their homeland in safety and peace.”
17. Med shot, Israeli Ambassador Brett Jonathan Miller
18. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Qusay al-Dahhak, Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Syrian Arab Republic:
“The Israeli occupation entity continues its provocative practices against Syria and its people by establishing military outposts and bases for its forces, and promoting tourist tours for settlers in the areas it has invaded. This exposes the falsity of the occupation entity’s claims that its incursion is temporary and limited. It clearly reveals its aggressive and expansionist intentions and its contempt for the UN charter, the foundation of international law and relevant Security Council and General Assembly resolutions.”
19. Wide shot, Council
20. SOUNDBITE (English) Brett Jonathan Miller, Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Israel:
“We are witnessing the re-emergence of radical Islamic armed groups, groups committed only to destruction, terror and the annihilation of our nation. These groups in southern Syria are working to establish military infrastructure in areas just kilometres from Israeli communities. That infrastructure includes rocket launchers, explosives and underground facilities, all designed to threaten the lives of innocent civilians. Israel cannot and will not allow this to happen. We have been clear and consistent. This is our policy. We will do whatever is necessary for however long it takes to prevent another October 7th.”
21. Wide shot, Council
22. SOUNDBITE (English) Brett Jonathan Miller, Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Israel:
“Israel does not seek territorial gains in Syria. Our operations are precise and rooted exclusively in threat neutralisation. Where threat exists, we will meet it without hesitation.”
23. Wide shot, end of meeting