Thousands of Israelis were sent on Saturday running to bomb shelters as Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad attacked with over 430 rockets fired in an ongoing attack. One Israeli was killed and wounding dozens. Israel responded by hitting approximately 180 military targets inside Gaza.
The U.S. State Department issued a statement on Saturday night in support of Israel.
“The United States strongly condemns the ongoing barrage of rocket attacks by Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad from Gaza upon innocent civilians and their communities across Israel,” said a statement by State Department spokesperson Morgan Ortagus.
“We call on those responsible for the violence to cease this aggression immediately. We stand with Israel and fully support its right to self-defense against these abhorrent attacks,” added the statement.
When the Sabbath ended, Special Envoy Jason Greenblatt, a religiously observant Jew, tweeted his support of Israel.
Hamas & PIJ have engaged in yet another deplorable act of terrorism, indiscriminately firing hundreds of rockets at Israeli civilian communities. The U.S. stands firmly in support of Israel’s right to self-defense and we call on the international community to do the same.
— Jason D. Greenblatt (@jdgreenblatt45) May 5, 2019
“When Hamas and (Palestinian Islamic Jihad) PIJ continue to choose terrorism, they prevent the world from trying to help the Palestinians in Gaza and they cause harm to Palestinians,” he added in a second tweet.
Former Ambassador to the United Nations, Nikk Haley, underscored the gross double standard exhibited towards Israel.
If this was any other country, the international community would raise havoc. No other country would sit back and take this. Why should Israel? #DoubleStandard https://t.co/Ss3gAKhGKJ
— Nikki Haley (@NikkiHaley) May 4, 2019
Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro also expressed support for Israel in a tweet on Saturday night.
The European Union also voiced its concern with spokeswoman Maja Kocijancic tweeting on Saturday.
Statement on the latest Israeli-Palestinian escalation. The rocket fire from Gaza towards Israel must stop immediately. A de-escalation of this dangerous situation is urgently needed to ensure that civilians’ lives are protected https://t.co/TlaVmwcNd8
— Maja Kocijančič (@MajaEUspox) May 4, 2019
Italy also expressed solidarity with Israel.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Matteo Salvini: “Extremely heavy missile attack against Israel, all my solidarity to Prime Minister @netanyahu and all Israeli people. ” https://t.co/wewsYsfn0F
— Italy in Israel (@ItalyinIsrael) May 5, 2019
