‘Rocket fire on civilians is unacceptable’: world leaders and governments condemn Islamic Jihad attacks on Israel
Foreign governments, international leaders and diplomats have issued statements condemning the heavy rocket fire Israel has been encountering from Gaza since Tuesday morning.
Jeremy Leibler
In Australia, Jeremy Leibler President of the Zionist Federation of Australia, said: “Any attack that deliberately targets civilians is a war crime”, said Mr Leibler. “Palestinian groups in Gaza have unleashed this barrage against Israeli civilians in a flagrant violation of the laws of armed conflict and must be held to account.”
Mr Leibler further warned against comparing the Israeli strike and the Palestinian response. “The Israeli strike was a pinpoint attack designed to prevent Palestinian civilian casualties now, and to prevent future Israeli casualties at Mr al-Ata’s hands. The Palestinian response is designed to maximise Israeli civilian deaths, and to bring about an Israeli response in a perverse attempt to engender Palestinian deaths.”
“I truly hope this round of violence does not further escalate”, he said. “While Israel cannot abide by its civilians being targeted, it does not want to go to war.”
The German government stated that it “is deeply concerned about the situation in southern Israel and the Gaza Strip. After an Israeli campaign against an Islamic Jihad terrorist leader, more than 150 rockets have been launched in recent hours from Gaza towards Israeli cities. We strongly condemn the rocket fire.”
Susanne Wasum-Rainer, German Ambassador to Israel added that she was “following with great concern the evolving situation after sirens heard this morning in various cities in Israel, and collecting all relevant pieces of information. Hoping that there won’t be injuries. Stay safe.”
Emanuele Giaufret, the European Union’s Ambassador to Israel, said he was “extremely concerned about evolving security situation, with multiple rockets launched this morning. A rapid de-escalation is needed, indiscriminate rocket fire is unacceptable. Need to protect all civilians.”
Maja Kocijančič, Spokesperson for the EU’s Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, stated that “the firing of rockets on civilian populations is totally unacceptable and must immediately stop. A rapid and complete de-escalation is now necessary to safeguard the lives and security of Palestinian and Israeli civilians. The European Union fully supports the efforts of Egypt in this regard. As the EU has consistently reiterated, only a political solution can put an end to these continuing cycles of violence.”
Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted the “closed schools and businesses [in Israel]; life from southern Israel up to Tel Aviv paralyzed. We condemn rockets hitting Israel from Gaza yet again.”
The Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated the country was “deeply concerned about the security situation in Israel and Gaza. Israel has the right to defend itself and deter terrorists. The firing of rockets on civilian populations in response is completely unacceptable and must stop to avoid further escalation.”
Sebastian Kurz, Former Austrian Chancellor, said that “in these difficult hours my thoughts are with all Israelis who have had to seek refuge in shelters amid ongoing indiscriminate rocket attacks from Gaza which I fully condemn. Israel has every right to protect its civilian population and defend itself.”
Magnus Hellgren, Swedish Ambassador to Israel, said he was “extremely concerned about evolving security situation, including multiple rockets launched this morning. Indiscriminate rocket attacks are unacceptable and must be condemned. Need to protect all civilians.”
in the meantime, Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations (UN) Danny Danon urged the UN’s Security Council (UNSC) to condemn the attacks.
“These rocket attacks from terrorist organizations threaten the lives of nine million civilians. Instead of calling on all parties to exercise restraint, we expect the UNSC to clearly and unequivocally condemn the terrorists responsible,’ he stated Tuesday.
“It is time for the international community to realize that its silence is a prize for terrorism. Israel is not interested in escalation but will counter its campaign against terrorism with determination and strength,” he added.
With J-Wire
