The Israeli envoy to Kenya, Michael Lotem, has said they expect all countries which oppose nuclear proliferation, abhor calls for the extermination of other countries, and stand against terror and its perpetrators to support Israel's position.
"We expect them to side with Israel," he said.
Speaking during a virtual press briefing on Monday about the ongoing confrontation, Lotem argued that it is in Kenya’s and other East African interest to side with Israel because Iran’s alleged malign activities are not confined to the Middle East but extend into East Africa.
“This region has an Al Shabaab problem as well as other terror groups, which is part of the larger Iran network of terror groups that includes Yemen’s Houthis, Hamas, and Hezbollah,” Lotem said.
He was accompanied by his deputy, Ariel Arviv.
Charts presented by the diplomats claimed that the Houthis receive up to $100 million annually from Iran, a portion of which is shared with Al Shabaab to support its operations in the Horn of Africa region.
This includes the supply of equipment, such as advanced drones and UAVs, which Lotem warned could become more threatening if Iran acquires nuclear capabilities.
“Imagine if Al Shabaab can get some of these sophisticated weapons,” Arviv said.
Asked why Israel needed to strike Iran, Lotem said the Islamic Republic was on the brink of acquiring 9 nuclear bombs as part of its master plan to exterminate Israel.
"They were a few weeks away from reaching this target," he said.
“Not long ago, they even mounted a doomsday clock in the heart of Tehran, counting down to 2040, when Israel should not exist. can you imagine this? "asked his deputy, Arviv.
“We are fighting for our existence. The Iranian regime has openly said its stated aim is to annihilate Israel, and that is why we had to move in to defend ourselves,” he added.
Israel launched a significant unilateral military operation against Iran last week, named Operation Rising Lion, marking the most direct and extensive Israeli assault on Iranian territory to date.
The Israeli military reported targeting "missile manufacturing facilities" and "surface-to-air missile arrays" to degrade Iran's missile capabilities.
Iran confirmed the attacks but claimed its air defences intercepted many of the incoming missiles, resulting in “limited damage.”
The Iranian military reported that two soldiers were killed during the strikes.
Immediately following the attacks on Tehran’s nuclear sites, the United States distanced itself from the operation, stating that the strikes were initiated unilaterally by Israel and that it was not involved.
Asked why Israel had bypassed multilateral frameworks, Lotem responded that this track, which was the main track in the last 30 years, has exhausted itself, as shown by the statement of the International Atomic Energy Agency from 2 weeks ago, a statement blaming Iran for concealing and non cooperation on its military nuclear program.
This leaves Israel with no choice but to act alone. On the question of why Israel’s strikes in Tehran appeared surgically precise, in contrast to the widespread devastation seen in Gaza.
Lotem said the two situations were incomparable.
“In Gaza, civilian settlements and major buildings were used for storing and launching weapons as well as harbouring Hamas fighters,” he said.
