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State Dept: Rocket Attacks From Gaza Will Not Alter U.S. Support For Palestine

'Nothing has changed at this point in time'

Recent rocket attacks on Israel from Gaza will have no impact on U.S. support for the new Palestinian unity government, according to State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki.

Associated Press reporter Matt Lee asked Psaki, "So how many more rocket attacks does it have to be before you decide that it's -- that we made a mistake?"

In response, Psaki said that President Abbas has a "severely limited" ability to stop the attacks, and that "there are no members of Hamas in the technocratic unity government."

"So even though it is backed by Hamas and you hold Hamas responsible for this rocket attack today," Lee continued, "you don't see -- you don't see a connection? No?"

"I'm not suggesting we don't understand the connection, Matt, but again, this is a case where President Abbas strongly condemns these actions," Psaki replied.

Psaki stressed that the current government is merely an interim government, and that "We will be judging this government by its actions, and we will address issues as needed moving forward. But nothing has changed at this point in time."

Lee persisted: "So this is -- I just -- this is not an action enough to get you to -- to get the administration to change its position?"

"Correct," Psaki confirmed.

Published under: Israel , State Department