Diplomacy

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Amid Palestinian Rocket Barrage, U.S. and Britain Emphasize Israeli Right to Self-Defense

by TheTower.org Staff |

British media late yesterday conveyed statements by Prime Minister David Cameron condemning a Palestinian rocket barrage against Israeli civilians as “barbaric,” after Palestinian fighters launched at least 60 rockets and missiles from the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip at Israeli population centers.

The Telegraph contextualized the statement against the backdrop of statements made by Cameron earlier in the day, in which the British leader committed to providing “rock solid” support to the Jewish state in defending itself, especially and specifically against “despicable” moves by Iran to provide anti-Israel terror groups with advanced weapons.

Mr Cameron said: “These attacks are completely indiscriminate, aimed at civilian populations and people indiscriminately, and that is a demonstration of how barbaric they are. “We must be absolutely clear in the international community – and all friends of Israel and of the Palestinian people as well – that there is no violent route to statehood.”

“They are a reminder once again of the importance of maintaining and securing Israel’s future and the security threats that you face, and you have Britain’s support in facing those security threats.”

The State Department issued its own statement condemning the attack “in the strongest terms” and particularly emphasizing that “Israel, like any nation, has a right to defend itself.”

The United States condemns in the strongest terms today’s rocket attacks into Israel by terrorists from the Gaza Strip. It is reprehensible that dozens of rockets have been fired today alone. There is no justification for such attacks. We call for these terrorist attacks to cease immediately. Israel, like any nation, has a right to defend itself.

The Israeli Air Force (IAF) subsequently launched what Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) Spokesman Peter Lerner described as “precise [and] prompt” targeting of terrorist infrastructure in the Gaza Strip, reporting that the IAF struck “29 targets that serve those that attack Israel and its civilians.”

[Photo: Newscast / YouTube]

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