The leaders of France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom and the United States released a joint statement early Tuesday in which they expressed their "steadfast and united support" of Israel as it faced a devastating Hamas attack that killed nearly 1,000 people.
"Today, we — 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 — express our steadfast and united support to the State of Israel, and our unequivocal condemnation of Hamas and its appalling acts of terrorism," the leaders wrote.
"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.
"Over the coming days, we will remain united and coordinated, together as allies, and as common friends of Israel, to ensure Israel is able to defend itself, and to ultimately set the conditions for a peaceful and integrated Middle East region."
(Daniel Edelson, New York)