Iraq (nuclear installations) (1981)

On 7 June 1981, the Israeli Air Force launched airstrikes on the Osirak nuclear reactor near Baghdad, Iraq. On 19 June 1981, the SC passed resolution 487 unanimously denouncing Israel’s strike as a violation of the UN Charter and norms of international conduct, and calling on Israel to refrain from such attacks or threats in the future (S/RES/487).

Several months later, in November 1981, the GA considered the attack under the agenda item, “Armed Israeli aggression against the Iraqi nuclear installations and its grave consequences for the established international system concerning the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons and international peace and security” (A/36/PV.53, pp. 929–937).

The GA then echoed the SC position by adopting resolution 36/27, condemning the attack and threats of further such attacks, and noting that Israel had in the ensuing months failed to comply with SC resolution 487 (A/RES/36/27).¹ The GA also noted its concern that Israel’s “acts of aggression against Arab States” were facilitated by aircraft and weapons supplied by the US (ibid.). The resolution called for all States to cease providing “arms and related material” to Israel (ibid., para. 3), and also called on the SC to both investigate Israel’s nuclear activities and to institute “effective enforcement action” to prevent further acts of aggression (ibid., paras. 4–5).