Al-Manar
"14/01/2009 Divisions among the Israeli political leaders or so called “decision-makers” have been exposed after contrast emerged over the way to handle the offensive on Gaza.
Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak is promoting a week-long "humanitarian cease-fire" in the Gaza Strip. In contrast, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, who had lost the Second Lebanon war and has nothing more to lose, believes the military offensive has not yet achieved its goals. Olmert is delaying a meeting with senior ministers in an effort to allow the military offensive in Gaza to continue.
On Tuesday, Olmert did not meet with Barak and Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, and on Wednesday, he will not convene the political-security cabinet to discuss whether the operations should go on.
The head of the political-security bureau at the Israeli Defense Ministry, Amos Gilad, had postponed a visit to Cairo for talks on a cease-fire Monday, and it is not clear whether he will depart for Egypt on Wednesday or not.
Israeli media, quoting political sources, explained that even though Olmert holds a minority view in the troika, he holds the power because he decides when cabinet meetings will be held, and sets the agenda. The troika is a monitoring and coordinating body, and lacks the authority to broaden or end Israeli army offensive. This can be done only by a cabinet vote.
Barak believes “Operation Cast Lead” has achieved its main objectives, first and foremost bolstering Israel's deterrent power. He does not believe continuing the offensive will bring further gains, but rather only operational complications and casualties.
On this point, Barak accepts the view of GOC Southern Command Major General Yoav Galant that expanding the offensive and occupying Gaza would require a lengthy deployment - possibly up to a year.
Barak is proposing the occupation army cease its fire, hold its positions and keep the reservists under arms, and thus negotiate with Egypt and the United States on an arrangement that would include preventing arms smuggling into the Strip. The Israeli defense minister is concerned that when U.S. President-elect Barack Obama takes office next Tuesday, he will demand that Israel immediately cease the offensive.
Livni, for her part, insists Israel must end the offensive without an agreement, after “achieving deterrence” against Hamas. She also believes the mission cannot obtain any more major gains."
"14/01/2009 Divisions among the Israeli political leaders or so called “decision-makers” have been exposed after contrast emerged over the way to handle the offensive on Gaza.
Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak is promoting a week-long "humanitarian cease-fire" in the Gaza Strip. In contrast, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, who had lost the Second Lebanon war and has nothing more to lose, believes the military offensive has not yet achieved its goals. Olmert is delaying a meeting with senior ministers in an effort to allow the military offensive in Gaza to continue.
On Tuesday, Olmert did not meet with Barak and Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, and on Wednesday, he will not convene the political-security cabinet to discuss whether the operations should go on.
The head of the political-security bureau at the Israeli Defense Ministry, Amos Gilad, had postponed a visit to Cairo for talks on a cease-fire Monday, and it is not clear whether he will depart for Egypt on Wednesday or not.
Israeli media, quoting political sources, explained that even though Olmert holds a minority view in the troika, he holds the power because he decides when cabinet meetings will be held, and sets the agenda. The troika is a monitoring and coordinating body, and lacks the authority to broaden or end Israeli army offensive. This can be done only by a cabinet vote.
Barak believes “Operation Cast Lead” has achieved its main objectives, first and foremost bolstering Israel's deterrent power. He does not believe continuing the offensive will bring further gains, but rather only operational complications and casualties.
On this point, Barak accepts the view of GOC Southern Command Major General Yoav Galant that expanding the offensive and occupying Gaza would require a lengthy deployment - possibly up to a year.
Barak is proposing the occupation army cease its fire, hold its positions and keep the reservists under arms, and thus negotiate with Egypt and the United States on an arrangement that would include preventing arms smuggling into the Strip. The Israeli defense minister is concerned that when U.S. President-elect Barack Obama takes office next Tuesday, he will demand that Israel immediately cease the offensive.
Livni, for her part, insists Israel must end the offensive without an agreement, after “achieving deterrence” against Hamas. She also believes the mission cannot obtain any more major gains."
No comments:
Post a Comment