Despite having caused little damage, the first attack ever carried out by Iran against Israeli territory generated reactions around the world this Sunday (14). In common, calls for caution to prevent a major conflict from breaking out in the Middle East.
On the other hand, the reactions show that many countries, especially Western ones, expressed immediate solidarity with Israel. Others highlighted that the military operation ordered by Tehran was a response to the Israeli bombing of the Iranian consulate in Damascus, the capital of Syria, at the beginning of the month.
The Brazilian Foreign Ministry issued a note in which it said that “the Brazilian government follows, with grave concern, reports of Iran sending drones and missiles towards Israel, leaving neighboring countries such as Jordan and Syria on alert.”
“Itamaraty has been monitoring the situation of Brazilians in the region, particularly in Israel, Palestine and Lebanon since last October.” The Israeli ambassador to Brazil complained about the lack of condemnation of Iran in the Itamaraty note.
Americas
In South America, Javier Milei’s government in Argentina expressed its “solidarity and unwavering commitment” with Israel in the face of the attacks. In Colombia, President Gustavo Petro classified the attacks as “predictable”, adding that “we are now in the prelude of Third World War, precisely when humanity should rebuild its economy towards the rapid goal of decarbonization.”
“US support, in practice, for a genocide, has set the world on fire. Everyone knows how wars begin, no one knows how they end. If only the people of Israel were elevated enough, like their ancestors, to stop the madness of its ruler,” he said in a statement.
US President Joe Biden condemned the Iranian attacks and promised a coordinated G7 diplomatic response. He said the US helped Israel shoot down “almost all” attack drones and missiles, in addition to reiterating “firm” support for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a telephone call.
“I told him that Israel has demonstrated a remarkable ability to defend itself and defeat even unprecedented attacks – sending a clear message to its enemies that they cannot effectively threaten Israel’s security,” he said in the statement.
Canada “unequivocally condemned Iran’s airstrikes,” the country’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said, adding: “We stand with Israel.”
BRICS
Reactions from other Brics countries show a similar position to that of Brazil. China “calls on relevant parties to remain calm and exercise restraint to avoid further escalation of tensions.” This round of tensions is a “repercussion of the Gaza conflict” and suppressing that conflict is a “top priority”, added a spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
India said it was “gravely concerned about the escalation of hostilities between Israel and Iran, which threatens peace and security in the region. We call for immediate de-escalation, exercise of restraint, avoidance of violence and return to the path of diplomacy.” , said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement.
Russia said it was concerned about a possible “dangerous escalation in the region”, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on the Iranian attacks. “We call on all parties involved to exercise restraint.”
“We have repeatedly warned that the numerous unresolved crises in the Middle East, particularly in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict zone, which are often fueled by irresponsible provocative actions, will lead to increased tension,” the ministry said.
Middle East
In addition to appealing for caution, “to spare the region and its people from the dangers of war”, Saudi Arabia asked the UN Security Council to “assume its responsibility in maintaining international peace and security”.
In Lebanon, the Hezbollah group praised Iran’s attack on Israel, describing it as a “courageous” decision. Backed by Iran, the group said in a statement that Iran exercised its legal rights despite “threats, intimidation and pressure.”
Egypt’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its “deep concern” about the escalation of hostilities and called for “maximum restraint”.
Its statement also warned of the “risk of regional expansion of the conflict” and added that Egypt would be “in direct contact with all parties to the conflict to try to contain the situation.”
UN, EU and Vatican
“I strongly condemn the serious escalation represented by the large-scale attack launched against Israel by the Islamic Republic of Iran tonight,” UN Secretary-General António Guterres wrote in a statement.
“I am deeply alarmed by the very real danger of a devastating escalation across the region. I urge all parties to exercise maximum restraint to avoid any action that could lead to major military confrontations on multiple fronts in the Middle East,” he added.
The European Union’s top diplomat Joseph Borrell said the bloc “strongly condemns the unacceptable Iranian attack on Israel. This is an unprecedented escalation and a serious threat to regional security.”
Pope Francis has made an “urgent appeal” against a “spiral of violence”, warning of a potential regional conflagration.
“I make an urgent appeal to an end to any action that could fuel a spiral of violence that risks dragging the Middle East into an even greater conflict,” declared the Argentine pontiff after his traditional Sunday prayer in St. Peter’s Square, in Vatican.
“I am praying and following with concern, but also with pain, the news that has arrived in the last few hours about the worsening of the situation in Israel due to Iran’s intervention,” the pope told the faithful.
“No one should threaten the existence of others. All countries must, however, be on the side of peace and help Israelis and Palestinians to live in two states, side by side and in safety,” he said.
Editing: Vivian Virissimo
Source: www.brasildefato.com.br
