America and Israel have a close relationship. But that doesn’t mean they can do anything.
And now a State Department official condemned Israel for its latest act of violence.
U.S. Condemns Israeli Airstrikes and Urges Dialogue
At a State Department press briefing on Thursday, spokesperson Tammy Bruce expressed the United States’ disapproval of recent Israeli airstrikes in Syria, advocating for diplomatic efforts to resolve tensions.
“The United States unequivocally condemns the violence. All parties must step back and engage in meaningful dialogue that leads to a lasting ceasefire,” Bruce stated.
The remarks followed Israeli airstrikes on Wednesday in Damascus, targeting Syria’s Defense Ministry headquarters and an area near the presidential palace, which reportedly resulted in three deaths and numerous injuries. The U.S. emphasized the need for de-escalation and a peaceful resolution between Israel and Syria to prevent further violence.
Context of Strikes and Regional Dynamics
The Israeli military justified its actions as a defense of the Druze population in southern Syria, near the Israeli border, amid clashes between local Bedouin Sunni tribes and the newly established Syrian government.
Eyal Zamir, chief of the Israeli Defense Forces’ general staff, explained during a border assessment, “We are acting decisively to prevent the entrenchment of hostile elements beyond the border, protect Israeli citizens and prevent harm to Druze civilians.”
Meanwhile, Secretary of State State Marco Rubio suggested the strikes were likely due to “a misunderstanding” regarding the situation, a sentiment echoed by Bruce during Thursday’s briefing.
She elaborated:
This is an ancient rivalry between the Druze and the Bedouins and violence ensued, the Syrians moving to that area to quell and stop that violence. And the Israelis, who see that occurring to the Druze community and their concerns, then entered what they assessed was something larger than what, or even not what it was at all.
Bruce noted that further investigation is needed to clarify the motivations behind Israel’s actions and whether foreign fighters, such as ISIS, were involved in the local conflict.
Steps Toward De-escalation and Stability
Encouragingly, an agreement was reached between Israel and Syria on Wednesday to address what Rubio described as a “troubling and horrifying situation.”
He stressed that all parties must honor their commitments, stating, “This will require all parties to deliver on the commitments they have made, and this is what we fully expect them to do.”
U.S. Special Envoy to Syria Tom Barrack expressed gratitude for the temporary halt in hostilities, saying, “Thankful to all sides for their break from chaos and confusion as we attempt to navigate all parties to a more durable and peaceful solution in Syria.”
