The United States has refused to criticize the Israeli raid on an alleged terrorist camp in Syria, emphasising that Damascus has been sponsoring terrorism for a long time and the Palestinian government needs to fulfil its commitment to end the activities of terrorist groups.

US state department spokesman Richard Boucher not only refused to join an almost worldwide condemnation of the Israeli air strike in Syria, but appeared to defend Tel Aviv's action, when he told reporters on Monday that the (jihadi) camp attacked by Israel 'has long been used by a variety of Palestinian terrorist groups as a training facility'.

The US "has seen Syria as a State sponsor of terrorism for a long time." The US, he said, has repeatedly made known its grave concerns about Syrian support for terrorist groups, including Palestinian groups that are engaged in planning and directing terrorist actions against Israel from Syrian territory.

He, however, added that the US has also urged "all parties to avoid actions that would heighten tensions in the region, and to carefully consider the consequences of their actions."

Asked by a correspondent if the US needs to realise that it must now help Israel face the reality that it is its violence against the Palestinians that is instigating violent attacks in return, Boucher said, "I don't see how can you ask a question like that without admitting that 19 innocent people died in Haifa on Saturday."