The International Community’s Response: Israel Under Threat, Yet Criticized
Israel faces a direct and multifaceted threat from the Islamic Republic of Iran and its proxy forces — Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis. Hundreds of rockets and drones are launched daily at Israeli cities, targeting civilians — schools, residential buildings, synagogues, and mosques. This threat is not only military, but also ideological: Iranian leaders openly call for the destruction of Israel as both a state and a people. This is not mere rhetoric but official state policy of Iran’s terrorist regime. In Tehran, a public clock counting down to the “destruction of Israel” has been displayed — a fact that violates the very foundations of international law including Iran’s obligations under the UN Charter.
Nevertheless, a significant portion of the international community chooses to condemn not the aggressor, but the victim. Israel’s “Am Kalavi” operation, targeting exclusively nuclear infrastructure, missile sites, and command centers of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, is an exercise of the inalienable right to self-defense enshrined in Article 51 of the UN Charter. This is not a choice but a necessity. The right to individual or collective self-defense comes into effect if “an armed attack occurs against a member of the Organization” — and such an attack has long since taken place. Yet, there has been no direct response from international institutions to defend Israel.
Paradoxically, even the United Nations including both the General Assembly and the Security Council has formally recognized Hamas as a terrorist organization and called for the release of Israeli hostages. However, such declarations without any concrete enforcement measures remain largely symbolic. In the initial stages of the attack, hundreds of civilians, including women, children, and the elderly, were abducted and taken into Gaza, and some were murdered. Many were subsequently released in exchange for thousands of convicted terrorists. As of today, approximately 50 hostages remain in captivity, with only 20 confirmed to be alive. Their prolonged detention constitutes a severe humanitarian crisis, one that international institutions have failed to address with effective pressure either on Hamas or on its primary sponsor, the current regime in Iran.
Iran, violating Article 39 of the UN Charter, commits acts of aggression and creates a sustained threat to international peace. Despite this, the Security Council has not applied either economic or other measures envisaged by Articles 41 and 42. Moreover, states economically and politically tied to Iran — primarily Russia — accuses Israel of “escalation”, ignoring Tehran’s systemic terrorist activity and provocations. Such a stance undermines trust in the international legal order and encourages impunity.
Unlike its adversaries, Israel does not strike civilian infrastructure in Iran, does not threaten the Iranian population, nor seeks territorial expansion. Its actions are strictly limited to destroying targets that pose a real threat to the state’s existence. Israel does not wage war against the Iranian people — it opposes the terrorist regime that destabilizes the entire Middle East.
The UN Charter provides Israel with full legal grounds for self-defense. Ignoring this right endangers lives and undermines the very foundation of sovereignty and collective security. Articles 39–51 of the UN Charter were designed precisely to prevent such threats — and they fully apply today to Israel’s actions.
Nevertheless, international institutions continue to demonstrate selectivity and double standards. Rocket attacks on civilians are framed as “retaliation”, while Israeli strikes on nuclear and military sites are labeled “escalation”. This is not merely a legal error but a moral and political distortion that sets a dangerous precedent: states that comply with international law are criticized, while violators receive diplomatic protection.
The international community must not only recognize Israel’s right to self-defense but also support its implementation. This means tightening sanctions against Iran, officially designating its proxies groups as terrorist organizations, and providing diplomatic and legal support to Israel. Silence can no longer be neutral. When a UN member faces an existential threat, inaction becomes complicity.
Israel will act — so that the Holocaust never happens again and so that October 7 is never repeated. Israel today is strong and will no longer be a victim. We do not ask for privileges or aid — we demand the fair application of international law norms, which international institutions are obligated to uphold.
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The above was written by Igor Klotsman. Mr. Klotsman is a doctoral candidate at the Faculty of Law, Bar Ilan University.
