Press Statement
Mark C. Toner
Deputy Spokesperson, Office of the Spokesperson
Washington, DC

November 14, 2012
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http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2012/11/200551.htm

We strongly condemn the barrage of rocket fire from Gaza into southern
Israel, and we regret the death and injury of innocent Israeli and
Palestinian civilians caused by the ensuing violence. There is no
justification for the violence that Hamas and other terrorist organizations
are employing against the people of Israel. We call on those responsible to
stop these cowardly acts immediately. We support Israel’s right to defend
itself, and we encourage Israel to continue to take every effort to avoid
civilian casualties.

Hamas claims to have the best interests of the Palestinian people at heart,
yet it continues to engage in violence that is counterproductive to the
Palestinian cause. Attacking Israel on a near daily basis does nothing to
help Palestinians in Gaza or to move the Palestinian people any closer to
achieving self determination.