It's a phrase that's been spoken by Israel's allies and American presidents for decades,

especially in the days after Israel launched its war in Gaza after the October 7th attack by Hamas.

Israel has the right to defend itself and its people.

Israel has the right, indeed the obligation to defend itself.

Israel has the right to defend.

As I said then I say today, Israel has a right to defend itself.

President Barack Obama echoed the sentiment during another conflict between Israel and Hamas a decade ago.

I reaffirmed my strong support for Israel's right to defend itself.

When the US was still reeling from the 9-11 attacks,

President George W Bush underscored Israel's right to retaliate after a suicide bombing back in 2002.

America recognizes Israel's right to defend itself from terror.

But what do those words actually mean,

particularly in the midst of Israel's incursions into Gaza and Lebanon?

The U.S.

That Israeli ground forces have begun the process of crossing the border into southern Lebanon.

Where thousands were injured and nine died after handheld pagers used by Hezbollah members exploded.

Was an attack by Israel's Mossad and military against Hezbollah,

unprecedented in its scale in nature.

More than 40,000 Palestinians have been killed since Israel launched its war to destroy.

Consider this.

Politicians on both the left and the right have supported Israel's right to defend itself.

Coming up, we unpack those words and what they may mean in the current moment.

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