Israel sharply condemned the Soviet ” invasion and occupation” of Afghanistan and declared that it shared ” the apprehensions” of the international community over Russia’s military intervention. in a neighboring state.
In remarks prepared for delivery to the General Assembly late this afternoon, Israel’s Ambassador to the United Nations, Yehoda Blum declared that “This massive and naked aggression has far-reaching implications which threaten the fundamental balance of the international system. Beyond that,” he said, “Israel’s concerns are even more immediate, specific and concrete. We are port of the geographical region into which the Soviet Union has marched so rudely and brutally.”
The Israeli envoy noted that Israel is part of a region which has been “vulnerable for decodes to the expansionist designs of the Soviet Union. Our region has withstood the brutality and callousness of the Soviet Union as it seeks to further its expansionist aims.”
Continuing, Blum declared: “Experience shows that when it suits the Soviet Union, it does not hesitate to violate the most elementary norms of conduct among nations or to place twisted and arbitrary constructions of the Charter of the United Nations and its Purposes and Principles. When the Soviet Union’s imperialistic and hedonistic ambitions are concerned, it is prepared to ride shamelessly and rough-shod over any state which is in its way.”
Israel’s condemnation of the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan was one of many by member states since the debate on the Afghanistan crisis began in the General Assembly last Thursday. The General Assembly is expected to vote this afternoon and adopt a resolution condemning the Soviet incursion into Afghanistan.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
