Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with U.S. President Joe Biden on Sunday for the second time in as many days, continuing his round of telephone calls with world leaders following the Hamas assault on Israel from Gaza on Saturday that left at least 700 Israelis dead.
According to Netanyahu’s office, Biden expressed his “unreserved support for the State of Israel.”
The White House confirmed in a statement on Sunday that “the President directed additional support for Israel in the face of this unprecedented terrorist assault by Hamas.”
The Israeli leader also spoke with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Netanyahu received assurances of unreserved support for Israel’s right to defend itself from all the leaders, the Prime Minister’s Office said.
The calls come one day after Biden called Netanyahu, emphasizing that Washington stands alongside Jerusalem and fully supports the Jewish state’s right to self-defense.
“The United States unequivocally condemns this appalling assault against Israel by Hamas terrorists from Gaza, and I made clear to Prime Minister Netanyahu that we stand ready to offer all appropriate means of support to the government and people of Israel. Terrorism is never justified. Israel has a right to defend itself and its people,” Biden said in a written statement after the call.
“The United States warns against any other party hostile to Israel seeking advantage in this situation. My administration’s support for Israel’s security is rock solid and unwavering,” the statement continued.
Meanwhile on Sunday, Israeli President Isaac Herzog spoke with U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris.
Harris expressed her condolences, and reiterated the American position that Israel has the full right to defend itself. She also emphasized that the United States remained committed to Israel’s security and would continue to stand by Israel in the ongoing battle.
President Herzog thanked the vice president for her support and stressed that Israel would continue to act forcefully against Hamas.
The European Parliament and the European Commission both displayed the Israeli flag in a show of solidarity with the Jewish state.
