Obama discussed details of ‘Operation Pillar of Defense’ with Netanyahu on Friday

U.S. President Barack Obama  reiterates American support for Israel’s right to defend itself.

By Reuters

 

 

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called U.S. President Barack Obama on Friday and the two discussed options for “de-escalating” the situation in Israel and Gaza, the White House said.

President Barack Obama talks on the phone with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

President Barack Obama talks on the phone with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in the Oval Office, September 28, 2012 – Photo by Pete Souza

Obama “reiterated U.S. support for Israel’s right to defend itself, and expressed regret over the loss of Israeli and Palestinian civilian lives,” according to a statement on the call.

“The prime minister expressed his deep appreciation to the president and the American people for the United States’ investment in the Iron Dome rocket and mortar defense system, which has effectively defeated hundreds of incoming rockets from Gaza,” the statement said.

In a related story, Obama also called Egyptian President Mohamed Mursi on Friday to commend the country’s efforts to help calm the situation in Israel and Gaza and underscored his hope of restoring stability there, the White House said.

Egypt’s prime minister, Hisham Kandil, has said Cairo is prepared to mediate a truce in the growing violence between Israel and Hamas, the Islamist group that runs the Gaza Strip.

Egypt’s government is allied with Hamas, but is also party to a 1979 peace treaty with Israel.

 

View original HAARETZ publication at: http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/obama-netanyahu-discuss-situation-in-israel-and-gaza-1.478499