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Operation Pillar of Defense: International Reaction s to Conflict

UNITED STATES

President Barack Obama:
          
"The precipitating event here...that's causing the current crisis...was an ever-escalating number of missiles; they were landing not just in Israeli territory, but in areas that are populated. And there's no country on Earth that would tolerate missiles raining down on its citizens from outside its borders. So we are fully supportive of Israel's right to defend itself from missiles landing on people's homes and workplaces and potentially killing civilians. And we will continue to support Israel's right to defend itself."

Department of State:
          
"We strongly condemn the barrage of rocket fire from Gaza into southern Israel, and we regret the death and injury of innocent Israeli and Palestinian civilians caused by the ensuing violence." [Read Full Statement - CLICK HERE]

Senate Resolution 599:
           "Whereas Israel, a fellow democracy, has an inherent right to self defense in the face of terrorist attacks: Now, therefore, be it resolved that the Senate: expresses unwavering commitment to the security of the State of Israel ... recognizes and strongly supports its inherent right to act in self-defense ... reiterates that Hamas must end Gaza-linked terrorist rocket and missile attacks against Israel." [Read Full Resolution - CLICK HERE]

House of Representatives Resolution 813:
           "Whereas Israel has an inherent right to self defense in the face of terrorist attacks: Now, therefore, be it resolved that the House of Representatives: expresses unwavering commitment to the security of the State of Israel ... recognizes and strongly supports its inherent right to act in self-defense ... reiterates that Hamas must end Gaza-linked terrorist rocket and missile attacks against Israel." [Read Full Resolution - CLICK HERE]

UNITED KINGDOM

Foreign Secretary William Hague:
           "Hamas bears principal responsibility for the current crisis. I utterly condemn rocket attacks from Gaza into southern Israel by Hamas and other armed groups. This creates an intolerable situation for Israeli civilians in southern Israel, who have the right to live without fear of attack from Gaza." [Read Full Statement - CLICK HERE]

Middle East Minister Alistair Burt:
           "The UK calls on Hamas, who bear principal responsibility for starting this round of violence, to stop the rocket attacks. Doing so would bring the violence most quickly to an end. But there are also responsibilities on Israel and, as the number of casualties in Gaza increases, we continue to urge Israel to do all it can to de-escalate the situation, to minimise civilian casualties, and to give mediation efforts a chance to succeed." [Read Full Statement - CLICK HERE]

CANADA

Minister of Foreign Affairs John Baird:
           "We fundamentally believe that Israel has the right to defend itself and its citizens from terrorist threats. Far too often, the Jewish people find themselves on the front lines in the struggle against terrorism, the great struggle of our generation. Just last weekend, more than 100 rockets rained down on civilians in southern Israel from positions in the Gaza Strip. Canada condemns the terrorist group Hamas and stands with Israel as it deals with regional threats to peace and security." [Read Full Statement - CLICK HERE]

EUROPEAN UNION

EU Foreign Policy Chief Catherine Ashton:
           "The rocket attacks by Hamas and other factions in Gaza, which began this current crisis are totally unacceptable for any government and must stop ... Israel has the right to protect its population from these kind of attacks. I urge Israel to ensure that its response is proportionate. I am deeply concerned at the escalating violence in Israel and the Gaza Strip and deplore the loss of civilian lives on both sides. " 
[Read Full Statement - CLICK HERE]

German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle:
           "It is obvious that Israel has a legitimate right to defend itself and protect its own citizens against rocket attacks from the Gaza Strip... Now it is necessary that everyone contributes to deescalating the situation. Everybody needs to understand that we need to prevent worse things from happening. We call upon all parties to act wisely and in a deescalating manner." [Read Full Statement - CLICK HERE]

German Chancellor Angela Merkel [spokesman]:
           "Hamas in Gaza is responsible for the outbreak of violence. There is no justification for the shooting of rockets at Israel, which has led to massive suffering of the civilian population. The Chancellor urges those responsible in the Gaza Strip to immediately stop firing on Israel. At the same time she calls on the Egyptian government to use its influence on Hamas to limit the violence and bring it to an end." 
[Read Full Statement - CLICK HERE]

Czech Republic Foreign Ministry:
           "The Czech Republic fully recognizes Israel's right to self defense against rocket barrage carried out by the militant organizations in the Gaza Strip while underlining importance of avoiding civilian casualties. The Czech Republic calls on both sides to refrain from all forms of violence and provocative actions and to bring quiet to the civilian population of both sides." [Read Full Statement - CLICK HERE]

AUSTRALIA

Prime Minister Julia Gillard:
           "The government condemns the repeated rocket and mortar attacks on Israel from the Gaza Strip and calls on Hamas to cease these immediately. Australia supports Israel's right to defend itself against these indiscriminate attacks. Such attacks on Israel's civilian population are utterly unacceptable." [Read Full Statement - CLICK HERE]

RUSSIA

Foreign Ministry Spokesman Alexander Lukashevich:
           "The attacks on southern Israel, as well as Israel’s disproportionate shelling [of targets in Gaza], are entirely unacceptable, We urge all sides to end the military confrontation immediately and to prevent a new round of bloodshed in the Gaza Strip."
 [Read Full Statement - CLICK HERE]