“Aggressor playing victim”: Pakistan slams Israel at UN over Doha strike

On September 12, Pakistan’s representative to the United Nations sharply criticised Israel during a Security Council session, accusing it of violating international law while presenting itself as a victim.

“It is unacceptable, indeed ludicrous, for an aggressor, an occupier, a serial violator of UN charter and international law – that is Israel – to abuse this chamber and disrespect the sanctity of this council,” Caliber.Az quotes Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad as saying via foreign media.

Speaking further, Ahmad said: “It is an occupier that does not listen to anyone, that does not pay heed to any advice, even from its friends, if there are any left. That refutes, and not just refutes, it threatens members of the international community, international media, international human rights and humanitarian organisations… and threatens the UN and its senior officials.”

The Pakistani envoy also accused Israel of acting “with impunity, shielded by its apologists who time and again, eques in its illegal actions and defiance of the international community.” He drew a parallel to other occupiers, saying Israel, “despite being the aggressor, it feigns and plays the victim.”

Ahmad’s remarks came in response to Israeli Ambassador Danny Danon, who likened Israel’s recent attack on Doha to the 2011 US Navy SEALs operation in Pakistan that killed al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden. “When bin Laden was eliminated in Pakistan, the question asked was not, ‘Why target a terrorist on foreign soil?’” Danon said during the meeting.

The exchange took place during an emergency Security Council session convened to discuss Israel’s strike in Doha on September 9, which Israel claims targeted Hamas leaders but also caused civilian casualties.

Later in the session, the Council adopted a statement condemning the strike and reaffirming support for Qatar’s sovereignty and its role as a mediator in Gaza negotiations.

By Aghakazim Guliyev