Am I the only one who thinks Israel have timed this???

[Haribosmummy]

Is it just me who thinks that Israel will, unbelieveably, agree to a ceasefire as soon as the US have a new president who might just do something about the unlawful caompaign they have going at the moment?

Does anyone else think that they've just grasped the opportunity when (i) there is basically no US president - or atleast a numpty who couldn't give a stick (ii) most of the western economies are up shit creek and the leaders are worried about home matters rather than foriegn affairs, and (iii) Iran don't have long range missles yet...

I have no clue how they've been allowed to get away with this, but I BET as soon as they are at all worried some one might call them on it, they back off. Absolute cowards

don't forget, its all about the elctions in israel in feb.
ehud barak's popularity soared after the first few days of the assault.

But, they wouldn't get away with this if there was anyone to tell them to stop.

Sorry, what they are doing is wrong.

They wouldn't get away with it if it was any other country on this planet, with the exception possibly of the US.
Makes me sad to be human.

Oh yes. Both the US change of presidency and the elections in Israel are surely implicated in the timing of this.

Be interesting to see what stuff Mr Obama is made of.

yes, the fact that America refused to sign up to the UN resolution for the immediate ceasefire last week was like manna from heaven to the Israeli forces. It translates as " please carry on with destroying Gaza".

Not sure about Obama's intentions though Haribosmummy; I think most people are suspending their judgment....

'Sorry, what they are doing is wrong. '

believe me, i know that only too well.
I've been tossing and turning at night this whole week with tzipi bitch livni's voice in my head [schock]

I think you're right Haribo, they are giving the strong impression that they started planning this from the time that it was clear Obama was going to win the election. Some of Bush's statements in the past few weeks have been quite shocking IMO.

What's worse, though, is the minute Obama is in power (and can do something) they will agree a ceasefire.............

I think Israel are beyond the pale.

Imo, I'm sure this has been very carefully timed.

Israel wouldn't have started this campaign without the permission of America and key Arab states such as Egypt.

In turn, I feel it's unlikely that Bush would have authorised it in the last days of his administration without the permission of Obama.

Obama has made supportive comments about Israel, but sensibly doesn't want this "on his watch" as it would lower his credibility with the Arab world and reduce his chances of securing a peaceful 2 state solution.

I imagine that a ceasefire will be announced soon, and that when Obama becomes President he will sympathise with the Palestinian people and will rightly criticize excessive force and the use of phosphorus gas.

However, the bottom line is that he will NOT support Hamas's fundamental aim of the end of Israel and will actually be their worst nightmare come true because he will work firmly towards a decent 2 state solution for both countries.

Inevitably followed by more rocket launches from Gaza with little or no publicity of them...

elfrida, i actually agree with 90 percent of what you've said. great post :-)

Wow, sherazade, there is hope for the Middle East after all!