Embassies: NOT Sovereign Territory (Brussels Morning)
Channel: Sam Vaknin's Musings
Date: 2024-04-09

Read the column: https://brusselsmorning.com/embassies-not-sovereign-territory/39108/

Israel bombed a structure that served the Iranian consulate in Damascus. Though not strictly within the compound of the Embassy, it was widely known as an outpost of Iranian diplomacy in Syria. Iran threatened to retaliate against an Israeli representation.

Ecuador’s police stormed the Mexican Embassy in order to arrest a former vice-president accused of corruption who was granted asylum by Mexico only hours before.

The cherished – almost sacred – principle of the protection of diplomatic and consular premises and personnel seems to be going the way of the dodo. This impression has partly to do with the myths that surround diplomatic immunity and inviolability.