BICOM

US President Barack Obama expressed his support for Israel in a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after the launch of operation ‘Pillar of Defence’ yesterday. A US State Department Spokesman said, “There is no justification for the violence that Hamas and other terrorist organizations are employing against the people of Israel”, and added, “We support Israel’s right to defend itself.” Obama also reportedly spoke with Egyptian President Mohammed Mursi and reiterated Israel’s right to defend itself. Meanwhile Egypt reacted sharply to the Israeli operation, recalling its recently appointed ambassador.

The United Nations Security Council met in a closed session along with the parties yesterday. UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon, reiterated his, “strong condemnation of rocket fire out of Gaza and noted his expectation that Israeli reactions are measured.”  He also called for the parties to exercise the utmost restraint and to respect international humanitarian law.

The Foreign Office reacted via its twitter feed yesterday saying, “We continue to call on all sides to exercise restraint to prevent a dangerous escalation that would be in no one’s interests.”