Operation "Pillar of Defense":

International Reactions

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." ...

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."

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."

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. "

 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."

› 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."

AUSTRALIA    Prime Minister Julia Gillard:

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."