While the air force began pounding Hamas targets in Gaza at about 10:30PM on Sunday night, the actual battle began hours earlier, in the weekly cabinet meeting.
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert accused Defense Minister Ehud Barak of “dragging his feet” while Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni accused him of “working to reach an understanding with Hamas”.
With the election only days away, February 10th, it appears the defense minister does not wish to risk entering a complicated military situation in Gaza, pleased with his boosting in the polls achieved during Operation Cast Lead. Olmert however remains determined in his final days in office to deliver a stern blow to Hamas as well as bringing Gilad Shalit home, seeking to leave positive memories after being compelled to resign from office due to the growing number police investigations against him.
While the ministers are fighting amongst themselves to maintain a good standing in the polls, southern residents on Sunday were greeted with no less than 15 Kassam rockets and mortar shells. “We are right back where we started” exclaimed some residents, pointing out that some of the rockets on Sunday landed dangerously close to a kindergarten.
“It is as if the IDF was never here,” added another resident, who cannot believe that once again, he must be concerned over his children as they walk out of the door, uncertain when and where the next rocket will slam down.
Barak nevertheless appears determined to shun the mounting criticism, in addition to ignoring the Security Cabinet decision to strike back immediately and hard to every rocket attack. He is publicly mocking Livni, rejecting her attempt to make such lofty security decisions while lacking a background preparing her for such a responsibility. As far as Binyamin Netanyahu is concerned, he has already stated that the mantle of leadership is too big for Livni, and he condemns Barak’s light-handed policies “which encourage terror”. Olmert is not concerned with any ratings are present, not seeking reelection, and he is releasing harsh statements, blaming Barak for the lack of response. He desperately wants to bring Shalit home, to remove the stain of his failures from his record.
Livni on the other hand is using the situation to push he remaining election card, the gender issue, telling a conference of women on Sunday that it is obvious she is the subject of male discrimination, well qualified to make the difficult decisions yet her colleagues in the cabinet are unwilling to address her with the proper respect due to her being a women.
Critics argue that because she is a woman she enjoys a modicum of slack not given to others, citing former Defense Minister Amir Peretz for example. It was Peretz who was ridiculed in his senior post when pictures captured him looking through binoculars observing IDF military exercises, with critics questioning if he has any idea what he is seeing. Livni they explain is not ridiculed because she is a woman.
Elections aside, the situation in the southern areas is once again difficult and residents in some areas are demanding authorities reopen public shelters, explaining if rockets fall, they have no where to run to take shelter.
(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)
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One Response
This is highly unlikely since those in control of the military at present, Kadima and Labor, benefit by appearing as hawkish as possible. Their concern is not losing votes to Meretz (who would be delighted to join them in a coalition), but losing votes to Likud. Responding forcefully would only help Labor and Kadimah.