Photo Credit: Screen capture of State Dept.spokeswoman at briefing
US State Department spokesperson Jen Psaki.

U.S. State Department spokesperson Jen Psaki issued a brief condemnation of the rocket attacks into Israel by Gazan terrorists on Wednesday, March 12.

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon also condemned the rocket attacks on Israel, but urged restraint on all parties.

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In contrast, the U.S. statement noted Israel’s sovereign right to defend itself:

The United States condemns in the strongest terms today’s rocket attacks into Israel by terrorists from the Gaza Strip. It is reprehensible that dozens of rockets have been fired today alone. There is no justification for such attacks. We call for these terrorist attacks to cease immediately. Israel, like any nation, has a right to defend itself.

Ban noted that the terrorist group Islamic Jihad had claimed credit for the attacks.

“The Secretary-General strongly condemns the multiple rocket attacks today on Israel from Gaza, for which Islamic Jihad has claimed responsibility,” Ban’s press office said in a statement issued by his New York office.

“While reports of damage and injuries are still being ascertained, Secretary-General deplores the severe escalation of violence,” it said. “He urges all actors to exercise maximum restraint to prevent further incidents that could bring greater escalation and destabilization in the region.”

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Lori Lowenthal Marcus is a contributor to the JewishPress.com. A graduate of Harvard Law School, she previously practiced First Amendment law and taught in Philadelphia-area graduate and law schools. You can reach her by email: [email protected]