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US says Israel has a right to defend itself
Washington, Oct 07: The United States has refused to criticize the Israeli raid on an alleged terrorist camp in Syria, emphasising that Damascus has been sponsoring terrorism for a long time and the Palestinian government needs to fulfil its commitment to end the activities of terrorist groups.
Washington, Oct 07: The United States has refused to criticize the Israeli raid on an alleged terrorist camp in Syria, emphasising that Damascus has been sponsoring terrorism for a long time and the Palestinian government needs to fulfil its commitment to end the activities of terrorist groups.
Richard Boucher, the US State Department spokesman, not only refused to join an almost worldwide condemnation of Israeli air strike in Syria, but appeared to defend Tel Aviv's action, when he told reporters yesterday that the (Jihadi) camp attacked by Israel "has long been used by a variety of Palestian terrorist groups as a training facility".
Boucher said US "has seen Syria as a state sponsor of terrorism for a long time."
The US, he said, has repeatedly made known its grave concerns about Syrian support for terrorist groups, including Palestinian groups that are engaged in planning and directing terrorist actions against Israel from Syrian territory. He, however, added that the US has also urged "all parties to avoid actions that would heighten tensions in the region, and to carefully consider the consequences of their actions." Boucher said the Syrian resolution at the UN Security Council condemning the Israeli raid dealt with only one part of the situation and did not make any reference to the "terrible" attack of Haifa.
Asked by a correspondent if the US needs to realise that it must now help Israel face the reality that it is its violence against the Palestinians that is instigating violent attacks in return, Boucher said, "I don't see how can you ask a question like that without admitting that 19 innocent people died in Haifa on Saturday."
Bureau Report
Boucher said US "has seen Syria as a state sponsor of terrorism for a long time."
The US, he said, has repeatedly made known its grave concerns about Syrian support for terrorist groups, including Palestinian groups that are engaged in planning and directing terrorist actions against Israel from Syrian territory. He, however, added that the US has also urged "all parties to avoid actions that would heighten tensions in the region, and to carefully consider the consequences of their actions." Boucher said the Syrian resolution at the UN Security Council condemning the Israeli raid dealt with only one part of the situation and did not make any reference to the "terrible" attack of Haifa.
Asked by a correspondent if the US needs to realise that it must now help Israel face the reality that it is its violence against the Palestinians that is instigating violent attacks in return, Boucher said, "I don't see how can you ask a question like that without admitting that 19 innocent people died in Haifa on Saturday."
Bureau Report