Posted by
Cary Wesberry on Thursday, February 28, 2008 2:33:59 AM
The officials said Israel's reaction to the latest rocket barrage was likely to be of a different nature than in the past because of growing public disquiet with the government's inability to stop the attacks. The officials added, however, that a large-scale ground operation in Gaza was not likely to be approved, mainly because that was exactly what Hamas expected and was planning for.
The officials said Barak, for a variety of reasons, was likely to lead a more aggressive line inside the government than Prime Minister Ehud Olmert. According to this school of thought, Barak was looking at the Defense Ministry as a place where he could "prove himself" and position himself to win the next elections - but in order to do this, he needed to show success in stopping the rocket attacks.
On the other side of the coin, the officials said, Olmert was surely coming under both American and European pressure to show restraint.
With US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice due here on Tuesday, the US was keen on ensuring that the situation did not "get out of hand," the officials said. The officials did not rule out the possibility that a large-scale response to the attacks would wait until after the Rice visit.
Well now that Condi Rice is there I'm sure everything will be just fine and ultimate peace will ensue. She doesn't want the situation to "get out of hand"? Is this woman blind!?!?!? I don't know if she's taken a passing glance at the area lately, but I have a shocker for Condi: Hamas has gotten out of hand. In fact I'm sure she's so shocked by this news a feather could bowl her over.
The monsters of Islam are continously lobbing Kassam rockets into Israel and we send them a concert pianist. She's already given the Palestinians more machine-guns in which to kill Jews. What's next? Tanks? New and improved rocket launchers? Or maybe just an appointment for civilized discussions with tea served. Given Olmert's track record; I have little doubt he's willing to give Hamas even more land from which they will prompty attack Israel after laughing at him heartily.