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Israel has reportedly regarded as a done deal US President Barack Obama’s decision to talk to Tehran about its nuclear program, and is therefore trying to influence the dialogue. And if the talks fail? “Israel will take no option off the table.”
Updates (Israel time; most recent at top)
8:15PM: Sometimes, you just have to go.
8:10PM: The Israeli Foreign Ministry has criticized an Amnesty International report that urges a global freeze on arms sales to Israel, calling it “biased” and “unprofessional.”
In response to the report, the Foreign Ministry said that Amnesty International “ignores the basic fact that Hamas is a terror organization” and recognized as such by Western powers. The ministry also reiterated Israel’s position that it worked throughout the operation to avoid civilian casualties.
“The IDF never intentionally targeted civilians,” the ministry said in its statement. “The witnesses providing the descriptions appearing in the report are interested parties and under Hamas pressure, as has been documented by many independent investigations in the international media.”
The ministry added that the Amnesty report does not relate to Hamas’ use of Palestinian civilians as human shields or the placement of its military posts and ammunition depots in crowded population centers.
“The international community has accepted the fact that Hamas was solely responsible for the military confrontation, but the Amnesty report is dedicated almost exclusively to the censure of Israel,” the Foreign Ministry wrote in a statement.
The Foreign Ministry also took issue with what it called Amnesty’s downplaying of the rocket attacks on Israeli towns from the Gaza Strip, saying the report “ignores the scale” of the some 10,000 rockets and mortars fired from Gaza over the last eight years.
It also criticizes Amnesty for not mentioning in its report that Hamas receives support from “foreign extremists” like Iran.
I think the Foreign Ministry has a point.
You can read the report here if you have the stomach.
6:18PM: Hamas are claiming that Fatah spies provided the IAF with information on Hamas targets during Operation Cast Lead.
5:30PM: The Campaign for Gilad Shalit’s Release reponding to Prime Minister Olmert’s decision to replace Amos Gilad (12:25PM update):
“It is regrettable and worrisome that while an Israeli soldier is rotting in captivity, our leaders are occupied by battles of the ego.”
Meanwhile, the palestinians are also pissed.
5:22PM: The EU is worried about the prospects for peace now that Binyamin Netanyahu will be Israel’s Prime Minister. I guess they’re concerned all those promising developments towards peace – such as Hamas’ election in Gaza and the daily rocket attacks on Israel – will be for naught.
2:40PM: A second Qassam landed in Israel over an hour ago.
1:55PM: Likud leader and Prime Minister-to-be Binyamin Netanyahu:
“Never have we faced such a state of emergency, with the possible exception of the War of Independence.”
Isn’t he a ray of sunshine?
Meanwhile, he has so far failed to get Kadima or Labor onboard for a national unity government, but says he refuses to give up.
1:45PM: Things are seemingly pretty tense between Likud leader Binyamin Netanyahu and Labor leader Ehud Barak.
Courtesy of Department of Jerusalem Post Caption Screw-ups official Shy Guy.
12:25PM: Outgoing Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has announced his decision to replace Major General (Res.) Amos Gilad, Israel’s emissary to Egyptian-brokered truce talks with Hamas, after the latter ripped Olmert a new one. In response, Defense Officials have ripped Olmert a new one.
11:02AM: Over half an hour ago, a Qassam landed in an open field.
10:40AM: Regarding the previous update, Ha’aretz reports that an IAF helicopter attacked a group of terrorists in Gaza as they attempted to flee the border area after planting explosives aimed against Israeli troops. We bombed their car, but there were no casualties.
9:40AM: The IAF has reportedly launched an air strike in central Gaza after terrorists fired at an IDF patrol near the border fence.
8:56AM: They may have a problem with our tennis players, but it seems the UAE is more than happy with our satellite services.
6:00AM: An Arab Christian man vents about Arab leaders, Gaza and Israel. I think he’s on to something.
5:52AM: Before her meeting with Binyamin Netanyahu, Israeli Foreign Minister and leader of the Kadima party Tzipi Livni decides to try her “shampoo commercial” look.
5:40AM: Still no coalition agreement between Likud leader Binyamin Netanyahu and Kadima leader Tzipi Livni, but the two have agreed to meet. But not over meat.
Livni and Netanyahu met alone for an hour and 45 minutes. Even their bodyguards left the room. The dinner they ate together was vegetarian at Livni’s request.
