Speaking at a special UN General Assembly session on Palestine on Wednesday, Nebenzya said that the zionist regime, as an occupying power, does not have the right to self-defense when acting against threats from occupied territory.
He cited a 2004 advisory opinion by the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which states that Israel cannot invoke the UN Charter's article on the right to self-defense when dealing with violence emanating from the West Bank or Gaza Strip.
The zionist occupation regime argues that it has not occupied Gaza since 2005, when it withdrew its military and civilians from the region. However, a number of international organizations, including the UN, say that israel has occupied Palestinian territories, including the Gaza Strip, since 1967.
Nebenzya also criticized the West for imposing sanctions on Russia over its annexation of Crimea and its support for separatists in eastern Ukraine, while ignoring Israel's violations of international law and human rights in Palestine.
He said that Russia supports a peaceful resolution of the israeli-Palestinian conflict based on a two-state solution and respect for the legitimate rights of both sides.
He urged the international community to exert pressure on Israel to stop its attacks on Gaza and resume negotiations with the Palestinians. (ILKHA)