Israeli Cabinet approves wider offensive
The Israeli cabinet have just given approval for Israeli forces to push all the way to the Litani river, in an act that is bound to seem almost deliberately counter to prevailing world opinion, with most of the planet screaming for a ceasefire.
Taking troops as far as the Litani would mean Israel fighting their way eighteen miles inside Lebanon.
I am unsure if Olmert is playing tough knowing that a ceasefire will be imposed on him, or if he does intend to go ahead with this. If he did the casualties amongst Israeli soldiers will be very high and the political price he will pay if he cannot stop the rockets being fired into Israel, will be terminal.The proposed operation was expected to take 30 days, Cabinet minister Eli Yishai said. However, an internationally backed cease-fire was expected to be imposed well before then.
"The assessment is it will last 30 days. I think it is wrong to make this assessment. I think it will take a lot longer," he said.
The decision, approved by nine ministers with three abstaining, gave authorization to Defense Minister Amir Peretz and Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to order the wider offensive and to decide its timing. However, it did not obligate them to act.
However, one can only imagine that this is Israel's response to Lebanon's offer to send Lebanese troops to the south. That'll be a no then.
It seems that at every opportunity the Israelis are choosing to expand this conflict. This will place Bush in a difficult hole as the EU have now come out as vehemently against this.
As I mentioned early this morning, Bush will soon have to choose between the traditional European alliance and his best friends, Israel. The two world views are not at this point compatible. And Europe will not back any escalation in this campaign. Even Blair will find it hard to continue to support Bush if he continues to allow the Israelis to behave in this way.
There is already talk here about government resignations if this isn't brought to a close soon.
It's being reported that Bush has already fallen out with Codoleezza Rice over this, if he's not careful he's about to fall out with the whole of Europe.
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2 comments:
There is no choice. Bush has to side with Israel or risk having the carpet pulled out from under him. He is in way to deep with the Zionists to pull back now. It's not like he is any stranger to standing by his decsions while everyone ridicules him anyways.
9/11 post 1 is up and I feel spent trying to get all of that info together.
I had a look at your 9-11 post earlier today. You must be knackered, it's enormous!
Bush may try to continue to push Israel's case at the UN but he is destined to lose. Even Britain are talking about siding with Europe. And Olmert is being ambitious to say the least with his plan to advance as far as the Litani. Bush seems to be egging Israel on further than is wise.
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