The United States has told Israeli officials that if Iran attacks the nation in any way, the U.S. will be there to defend them.
“We have an ally relationship. The word ‘ally’ means something to us. It means that if you are attacked, we will defend you. That is what an ally relationship means… We use that term sparingly,” the senior defense official told the Times of Israel.
“We think that this deal decreases the need and likelihood of an attack. That’s why we signed it. We understand that military action is always an option. It’s an option for the United States,” the official said. “It’s an option for Israel. But the goal is to have an agreement that makes a military attack less needed. But Israel has the right to self-defense. We understand that.”
The two nations are reportedly working on a new “memorandum of understanding” that will increase America’s defense commitment to Israel.
The officials told the Times that administration officials are not pleased with Iran’s continued calls for wiping Israel off the map.
“That is not the way countries should act in today’s world,” the official said of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei’s calls for Israel’s annihilation. “That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t sign a deal that helps decrease the likelihood of them becoming a nuclear state. That’s the very reason we signed it.”
An attack on two Palestinian homes in the West Bank that burned the homes and killed an 18-month-old boy is causing a major increase in the region’s tension.
The buildings were marked with graffiti that lead authorities to believe it was carried out by Jewish terrorists. A star of David was painted on one building along with the message “Long live the Messiah.”
The family of the murdered boy has been hospitalized in critical condition, including a 4-year-old-boy.
“I am shocked by the murder of Ali Dawabshe,” said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a statement released on Facebook. “This is a reprehensible and horrific act of terrorism in every respect. The State of Israel takes a strong line against terrorism regardless of who the perpetrators are. I have ordered the security forces to use all means at their disposal to apprehend the murderers and bring them to justice forthwith. The Government of Israel is united in its strong opposition to such deplorable and awful acts. On behalf of the citizens of Israel, I would like to share in the sorrow of the family of Ali Dawabshe and wish a quick recovery to the family members who were injured.”
The Palestinian Authority said they will take the Israeli government in front of the International Criminal Court and say that the action is a war crime by the Israeli government.
Other nations around the world condemned the attack but welcomed Israel’s position they will go after the terrorists and bring them to justice.
“[The U.S.] condemns in the strongest possible terms last night’s vicious terrorist attack in the Palestinian village of Duma. We convey our profound condolences to the Dawabsha family and extend our prayers for a full recovery to those injured,” US State Department spokesman Mark Toner said.
“We welcome Prime Minister [Benjamin] Netanyahu’s order to Israel’s security forces to use all means at their disposal to apprehend the murderers for what he called an act of terrorism and bring them to justice.”
Both Netanyahu and Israeli President Reuben Rivlin visited the family at the hospital and told them they would seek swift justice to whoever carried out the attack.
Palestinians have already begun to carry out acts of terrorism in response to the Thursday night action. Israelis across the nation are reporting various acts of arson by Palestinians. Israeli cars have been hit by gunfire and at least one policeman was wounded in an attack at the Temple Mount.
