Concerned about Obama's concern
President-elect Barack Hussein Obama has broken his silence about what's going on in Gaza, and what he said is of some concern here in Israel (Hat Tip: NY Nana via Little Green Footballs). U.S. President-elect Barack Obama, breaking his silence about the Gaza war, expressed deep concern on Tuesday about civilian deaths in Gaza and in Israel and vowed to push for Middle East peace when he takes power.Here in Israel, we have noted that Obama made no mention of Israel's right to defend itself.
Speaking after Israeli tank shells killed at least 40 Palestinians at a U.N. school where civilians had taken shelter, Obama said "the loss of civilian life in Gaza and in Israel is a source of deep concern for me."
Obama otherwise said he would adhere to his principle that only U.S. President George W. Bush would speak for American foreign policy at this time, but said he would have plenty more to say after his January 20 inauguration.
He expressed deep concern about the conflict but made no mention of a "durable, sustainable and not time-limited" cease-fire sought by the Bush administration.
...
"After January 20 I'm going to have plenty to say about the issue, and I am not backing away at all from what I said during the campaign, that starting at the beginning of our administration, we are going to be engaged effectively and consistently in trying to resolve the conflict in the Middle East," he said. "That's something I am committed to."
There's a world of difference between Israeli civilians who are killed or wounded because Hamas targets them or shoots indiscriminately, and 'Palestinian' civilians who are killed or wounded because Hamas terrorists hide among them and use them as human shields. If Obama truly meant to equate the two, it's going to be a long four years.
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posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 10:45 AM
3 Comments:
Hi Carl,
Reading diplomatic statements is pretty difficult because the statements aren't really meant to be understood, they are just meant to sound appropriate. The Sound and the Fury of the genteel. Folks have been wanting him to say something, so he spoke and said nothing. I'm sure he's hoping that the IDF finds the hidden rocket storehouses pretty quickly. Dude's got an economy to try to fix and there are only 24 hours in a day.
Assume that starting 20-January-2009, Israel will be entirely on its own.
Anyone not operating under this assumption does not understand the sea change about to happen. They may be deluding themselves.
Between then and now, Israel needs to make sure all its armament needs are procured or in flight, as Obama will likely cut this off.
Understand that following the most 'friendly' administration to Israel on record, though I doubt this is really the case, Israel is about to get at least 4 years of one of the least friendly.
Think Jimmy Carter II.
Or worse. I suspect this will be an almost overtly hostile administration to Israel, and Israel will need to wait it out for the US to kick this administration to the curb.
If we are lucky, it will only be 1461 days. If we are not lucky, it will be 2922 days. Either way, it is in Israel's best interests to be wholly and completely independent of US financial/military aid by 21-January, and have alternative sources of matériel and armaments before then.
I am not kidding.
Israel can rely only G-d and on the strength He gives her to defend herself. It is for nothing the Psalms warn Jews not put their trust in princes or in the nations. Israel should begin following that advice.
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