European Outrage and Political Explosion Inside the Entity After Ben-Gvir Publishes Video...

Occupied Palestine – Agencies:

International outrage is mounting alongside an unprecedented domestic political explosion in Tel Aviv, following Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir's publication of a video clip showing the abuse of activists from the "Humanitarian Resilience Convoy" and forcing them to kneel with their hands bound, after intercepting their relief ship in international waters.

1. Summoning of Ambassadors and Widespread European Outrage

The video triggered a broad wave of diplomatic condemnation across Europe against the occupation's practices targeting unarmed volunteers who arrived to deliver humanitarian aid:

France, Italy, Spain, and Turkey announced the summoning of Israeli ambassadors to protest the degrading treatment and violence inflicted upon their citizens.

▪️ The convoy includes prominent political and human rights figures of various European and Arab nationalities, placing the entity in severe international embarrassment.

2. War of Words and Sharp Division Within the Occupation Government

Ben-Gvir's "showmanship" has transformed into fuel for conflict and settling scores within the Israeli political elite, after stripping the entity bare before the world:

Opposition Leader Yair Lapid launched a sharp attack, stating:

"The person responsible for this dangerous assault is Prime Minister Netanyahu, who brought a convicted criminal (Ben-Gvir) into the government and made him his partner."

For his part, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar said:

"You have knowingly caused harm to our state with this disgraceful display... You are not the face of Israel, and you have destroyed massive efforts made by IDF soldiers and Foreign Ministry personnel."

Ben-Gvir's response was not delayed, as he attacked Sa'ar saying:

"There are those in the government who have not yet grasped how to deal with terror supporters... Anyone who comes to our territory to show solidarity with Hamas will be snatched, and we will show no tolerance."

1. Iran's Defensive Shield: The Strategy of "Signature Without Ratification" of the 1982 Convention

The golden key that has spared Iran from international condemnation over the past four decades is its lack of formal accession to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982). Tehran contented itself with signing the treaty without ratifying it in Parliament. According to international law, a state that has not ratified a treaty is not bound to implement its provisions.

This status gave Iran the upper hand in confronting the West through two points:

1 Rejection of the "Transit Passage" Rule: Under UNCLOS, foreign warships and submarines (including American ones) have the right to cross international straits with complete freedom and without prior permission, and submarines may even pass while submerged. Iran, not being a member, does not recognize this rule.

2 Adherence to the "Innocent Passage" Rule: Iran believes that the status of the Strait of Hormuz is governed by customary international law or the older Geneva Convention (1958). Based on this rule, Iran, as the coastal state, has the right to categorically prevent the passage of any hostile ship or submarine if it deems it a threat to its security and peace.

Why hasn't Iran been legally condemned so far?

When Iranian military forces seize violating ships in the Strait of Hormuz or intercept US warships, Washington and its allies cannot condemn Iran in the International Court of Justice (ICJ) or the Security Council for "violating the Law of the Sea" because Iran is simply not part of this legal system. This formal legal vacuum has constituted Tehran's largest defensive shield against Western legal pressure.

2. Repercussions of Entering New Protocols in New York

Baghaei expressed surprise at the "commotion raised" around the visit. In an indirect response to statements made by Ali Khedrian, a member of the parliamentary National Security Committee, he explained that the Minister's trip to New York is potential, not definitive, and falls within routine activity:

▫️ Chinese Initiative: The meeting was called by China (as President of the UN Security Council) to counter US unilateralism under the title "Promoting International Peace and Security."

▫️ Participation: The meeting will take place mid-next week, and Araghchi will make the visit if visas are finalized and priorities are coordinated.

The Trap of "Internationalizing" the Strait of Hormuz and Repeating the NPT Scenario

Amid the ongoing debate between the Parliament's offensive stance (represented by Khedrian) and the Foreign Ministry's technocratic approach (represented by Baghaei), the real turning point lies in the first part of the Foreign Ministry spokesperson's remarks—specifically when he spoke about organizing "new protocols and mechanisms in coordination with the Sultanate of Oman and international bodies."

This direction rings alarm bells regarding the possibility of Iran falling into a new legal trap in the maritime domain.

1. Iran's Defensive Shield: The Strategy of "Signature Without Ratification" of the 1982 Convention

The golden key that has spared Iran from international condemnation over the past four decades is its lack of formal accession to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982). Tehran contented itself with signing the treaty without ratifying it in Parliament. According to international law, a state that has not ratified a treaty is not bound to implement its provisions.

This status gave Iran the upper hand in confronting the West through two points:

1 Rejection of the "Transit Passage" Rule: Under UNCLOS, foreign warships and submarines (including American ones) have the right to cross international straits with complete freedom and without prior permission, and submarines may even pass while submerged. Iran, not being a member, does not recognize this rule.