Netanyahu’s narrow political calculations may trigger a war that spares no one, Syria's UN envoy warns

NEW YORK — Syria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ibrahim Olabi, accused Israel on Thursday of escalating tensions in the region, saying its military strikes and incursions in Syria are pushing the region toward catastropheSpeaking during a UN Security Council session, Olabi said, “The entire region is standing at a threshold of a regional war that would spare no one,” because of “the narrow electoral calculations” of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the policies of a “reckless and extremist government.”His remarks came as senior UN officials briefed the council on the humanitarian situation in Syria and the progress of its post-Assad political transition. Israel has carried out eight airstrikes against Abu Al-Duhur airbase, continued its incursions into Syrian territory, and persisted in “acts of aggression, including abductions, shelling and violations” that “do not stop,” Olabi said. He criticized “the irresponsible display” by the Israeli defense minister, Israel Katz, when he visited Israeli troops on the Syrian side of Mount Hermon this week and said they would remain there indefinitely, describing this as “blatant defiance of international legitimacy and the resolutions of this council.” He said Syria was engaging seriously in US-sponsored diplomatic efforts aimed at reducing the escalation, but warned that “all international and regional efforts that have been made for months to achieve security and stability in the region are now threatened to be blown away by the delusions that exist only in the imagination of a reckless and extremist government.” Israeli attacks “will not change our path,” Olabi added, or “Syria’s choice for stability,” which he said can only be achieved by Israel ending its attacks, halting its incursions, complying fully with the 1974 disengagement agreement, and withdrawing from territory it has occupied since Dec. 8, 2024. “At a time when Syria continues to reach out to borders to combat terrorism, dismantle drug trafficking networks, and close files inherited from the former regime … Israel continues to move exactly in the opposite direction,” Olabi said.He also criticized Israel’s presence on Mount Hermon, describing it as “a blatant defiance of international legitimacy and the resolutions of this council.”Olabi said Syria was exercising “utmost restraint” despite the attacks and was participating in US-sponsored diplomatic efforts aimed at strengthening security and reducing escalation.He stressed that stability could only be achieved if Israel ended its attacks, halted incursions and complied with the 1974 Disengagement Agreement.Olabi also said the Golan Heights are undisputedly Syrian territory and called for Israel to withdraw from territories it has occupied since Dec. 8, 2024.Olabi also welcomed the US decision this week to remove Syria from its list of state sponsors of terrorism after 47 years, and thanked President Donald Trump. He cited warming ties with Russia, China and Pakistan, and highlighted the completed integration and dissolution of the Syrian Democratic Forces into the Syrian Arab Army as evidence of “a genuine process of national integration … based on equality among citizens and not sectarian quotas.”