Western leaders assure support for Israel, call on Iran not to expand conflict

Europe, Middle East, News October 11, 2023 , by IRIA No Comments

Leaders of the United States, France, Germany, United Kingdom, and Itay held a video conference call to discuss the ongoing security situation in Israel. Biden and his allies reaffirmed their support for Israel and called on Iran “not to expand the conflict beyond Gaza”.

According to a statement released by the White House, President Macron of France, Chancellor Scholz of Germany, Prime Minister Meloni of Italy, Prime Minister Sunak of the United Kingdom, and President Biden of the United States spoke on a video conference on October 9, 2023. The leaders expressed their steadfast and united support to the State of Israel and condemned Hamas for its acts of terrorism in Israel.

“We make clear that the terrorist actions of Hamas have no justification, no legitimacy, and must be universally condemned. There is never any justification for terrorism,” the statement said. “Our countries will support Israel in its efforts to defend itself and its people against such atrocities. We further emphasize that this is not a moment for any party hostile to Israel to exploit these attacks to seek advantage.”

The statement also recognized the Palestinian struggle and supported equal measures of justice and freedom for Israelis and Palestinians. It said that Hamas does not represent Palestine’s aspirations, and it offers nothing to the Palestinian people other than more terror and bloodshed.

Israel attacks Gaza — *^{A ball of fire and smoke rises above a building in Gaza City on October 7, 2023, during an Israeli air strike after the surprise attack by Hamas group. (Image Credit: AP)}*

Leaders call on Iran to stop exploiting the situation

A similar statement released by the office of the French President called on the Iranian government to stop exploiting the situation in the Middle East. “We call on other extremist groups or any state that might try to take advantage of the situation, especially Iran, not to try to exploit this situation for other purposes, nor to expand the conflict beyond Gaza,” the joint press release said.

Although Iran has categorically denied any involvement in the issue during a UN Security Council meeting, the Western leadership is convinced that Tehran has supported the well-orchestrated surprise attack in some capacity.

Soon after the attacks by Hamas were reported, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken noted that Iran had been helping the Gaza-based Hamas militant group for years. “Hamas wouldn’t be Hamas without the support that it’s gotten over many years from Iran,” Blinken said during an interview as he linked the Gaza-based militant organization with Tehran.

Rockets fired from Gaza — *^{Rockets are fired toward Israel from Gaza, on October 7, 2023. (Image Credit: Fatima Shbair/AP)}*

“We haven’t yet seen direct evidence that Iran was behind this particular attack or involved. But the support over many years is clear,” Blinken said in a separate statement.

The war in Israel is expected to play a major role in deciding the future of the whole Middle East and especially the trajectory of the U.S.-Iran relationship.

The Biden administration had been engaged in talks with Iranian officials and reached an agreement last month that freed five Americans. Significant progress was also made on the revival of the Iran nuclear deal, which was unilaterally ended by Washington in 2019.

All the efforts are expected to go in vain against the backdrop of the recent attacks as Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi has expressed support for the Hamas attack, saying Israel needed to be held to account for endangering the region.