I wish that Israel had annihilated Hamas in the Gaza, but at least they dealt them a very painful blow, and drove a political wedge between Hamas and the Gaza Palestinians. The Gaza Palestinians saw themselves being used as human shields by a Hamas which never dared to fight the IDF in the field; they saw themselves murdered randomly as "collaborators," and they saw the humanitarian aid sent them being stolen and resold at a major profit. The reputation of Hamas has been hurt badly.
I assume that Israel timed the truce for the US Inauguration, to prevent Obama from trying to "solve" the "peace problem" at Israeli expense as his first Presidential action. Note that the way the Israelis worded the truce, they can easily resume the war if Hamas resumses its own attacks on Israel.
I do not see what difference it makes, given that the "international community" is already gathered at Cairo with the intention of dictating truce terms to Israel. All it means, as far as I am concerned, is yet more evidence that Olmert is an inadequate leader.
I do not see what difference it makes, given that the "international community" is already gathered at Cairo with the intention of dictating truce terms to Israel.
Ah, but will Israel take dictation? From anyone but America herself? Or even from America? Remember that most of the "international community" has very limited powers to harm or favor Israel. This is because most of it is either heavily-occupied elsewhere (Russia, China), too cowardly to put its muscle where its mouth is (France, Germany) or is simply weak (Sweden). There are also some countries (particularly Russia and China) who just like to see the conflict continue so that they may fish in troubled waters.
All it means, as far as I am concerned, is yet more evidence that Olmert is an inadequate leader.
I agree, particularly because the existence of a Palestinian-ruled Gaza is Olmert's fault. But (a) Olmert may have genuinely learned from his mistakes, and (b) Olmert probably won't be in charge for much longer, anyway.
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Date: 2009-01-18 09:21 pm (UTC)I assume that Israel timed the truce for the US Inauguration, to prevent Obama from trying to "solve" the "peace problem" at Israeli expense as his first Presidential action. Note that the way the Israelis worded the truce, they can easily resume the war if Hamas resumses its own attacks on Israel.
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Date: 2009-01-19 06:23 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-01-19 01:44 pm (UTC)Ah, but will Israel take dictation? From anyone but America herself? Or even from America? Remember that most of the "international community" has very limited powers to harm or favor Israel. This is because most of it is either heavily-occupied elsewhere (Russia, China), too cowardly to put its muscle where its mouth is (France, Germany) or is simply weak (Sweden). There are also some countries (particularly Russia and China) who just like to see the conflict continue so that they may fish in troubled waters.
All it means, as far as I am concerned, is yet more evidence that Olmert is an inadequate leader.
I agree, particularly because the existence of a Palestinian-ruled Gaza is Olmert's fault. But (a) Olmert may have genuinely learned from his mistakes, and (b) Olmert probably won't be in charge for much longer, anyway.