Israel Matzav

US ties one arm behind Israel's back

HaAretz is reporting this morning that the US has set three ground rules for Israel's ongoing operation in Gaza: No harming 'moderate Palestinian Authority' chairman President Mahmoud Abbas Abu Mazen; no harming civilians and avoid damaging infrastructure. In other words, keep bombing empty fields and you can target Hamas terrorists with weapons in their hands so long as you don't do any collateral damage.

The Foreign Ministry expressed 'satisfaction' with the results of its efforts to obtain legitimacy for Israel's Gaza operation:

According to the senior sources, the main concerns raised by the international community have been humanitarian, and to a less extent focused on the arrests of senior Hamas officials in the West Bank.

Overall, there is understanding for Israeli actions. The fact that Israel waited for some time after the abduction of Corporal Gilad Shalit before responding militarily and the fact that no Palestinian civilians have been killed in the operations have also helped.

You all know already what I think about being careful not to kill 'Palestinian civilians.' Someone needs to remind the US of Dresden, Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

According to HaAretz, the most anti-Israel statements have come from Sweden and Norway. No surprises there.

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 8:25 AM