Hillary Clinton, the US secretary of state, called the Israeli and Egyptian foreign ministers, Avigdor Lieberman and Mohamed Kamel Amr, on Friday to urge a de-escalation of a “very, very dangerous situation” in Gaza, according the State Department.
President Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu discussed “de-escalation” of the Gaza conflict.
“Prime Minister Netanyahu called the President today to provide an update on the situation in Israel and Gaza,” said a White House statement released late Frdiay. “The Prime Minister expressed his deep appreciation to the president and the American people for the United States’ investment in the Iron Dome rocket and mortar defense system, which has effectively defeated hundreds of incoming rockets from Gaza and saved countless Israeli lives.”
The statement continued: “The president reiterated U.S. support for Israel’s right to defend itself, and expressed regret over the loss of Israeli and Palestinian civilian lives. The two leaders discussed options for de-escalating the situation.”
The reference to de-escalation came the same day that Netanyahu appeared ready to expand the operation into a ground war, as Palestinian rockets for the first time reached the outskirts of Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.
“With respect to the ongoing operation the prime minister said that the IDF is continuing to hit Hamas hard and is ready to expand the operation into Gaza,” said a statement from Netanyahu’s office Friday, recounting his meeting with the Israeli president, Shimon Peres.
In a separate statement, the White House said Obama had spoken to the Egyptian president, Mohamed Morsi, and also discussed de-escalation.
“The president commended Egypt’s efforts to de-escalate the situation and expressed his hope that these efforts would be successful,” the statement said. “The president expressed regret for the loss of Israeli and Palestinian civilian lives, and underscored the importance of resolving the situation as quickly as possible to restore stability and prevent further loss of life.”
Canadian Otter Said:
Yeah, thats for them and the rich – the group that bankrolls them and the group they help by using the legal system. That’s not for us the people. They sell us out to the Islamics and Chicoms for profit and they make money and make the rich richer – nothing to benefit the Canadian people. The richer they get , the more they put the screws on us.
I know they support Israel and I’m all for it. After hopefully it’s over we can ditch ALL the greedy economic fascists. But who is going to save us from them?
So if Israel can please kill off the Islamofascists them we can get rid of the bloodsuckers at home and get a new political party for the people , of the people and by the people, NOT for the rich, of the rich and by the rich..
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@ Max:
These are desperate times. Having been so closely linked to the US economy turned out to be a disadvantage. The Canadian govt sees the US in irreversible decline, and fears the complete collapse of the American economy. Therefore it has had to court other economic partners. This comes with a whole range of issues that are hard to tackle, such as those new partners’ human rights record. So it’s a choice between sticking to very high principles and see the Canadian economy sink along with that of its neighbor, or to hold our noses and trade with other parts of the world to keep our economy afloat. But in spite of that, I would not call the Conservatives corrupt. Unethical, maybe, if held up to unrealistic high standards. They’ve kept a rather clean government.
Also, the Conservatives’ strong support for Israel has been remarkable. As long as they stand by Israel, they’ll have my vote. Quite frankly, there is no real choice. The other political parties are much, much worse in every possible aspect.
Canadian Otter Said:
Are you kidding? The government sold us out long ago. No ‘unintended’ consequences at all. They have been 100 percent intended.
The government quite often kills documentaries and news items on CBC that are critical of China – and they do it ‘without explanation’ – they don’t answer to Canadian citizens.. They told the world class Shenyun Dance Troupe that they were no longer welcome at certain Canadian venues to try to kill their business. That was done as a favour to the Commies because of the Oil Business as the Shenyun are affiliated with the Falun Gong dissidents of China.
So the chinese commies are telling Canadian citizens what they can and can not do with their lives. It’s been going on a long time. The government accounts to no one about this and does as they please -they are totally corrupt.
So we are sold out to both the Islamics and the Chicoms for oil profits. Are people getting the picture here? – What this thing of betrayal by the MSM is all about? Why Israel is betrayed?
Our lives are their profit margins.
@ yamit82:
If Israel thought it could ingratiate itself with the Chinese government, it was quite mistaken. The Chinese government is guided 100% by practicalities, and feels it owes no apologies for whatever it does or says. The fact that it is now offering ethical and moral advice to the world is rather baffling.
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Canada may be waking up to the unintended consequences of its growing trade relationship with China. There have been several controversial issues in the last few weeks. Here’s one:
Chinese ambassador tells Canadians to “shut up” regarding charges of espionage. If you really have the evidence, come with it. If not, then I think that you have to shut up. – http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/story/2012/11/16/pol-the-house-zhang-junsai-chinese-ambassador-to-canada.html
yamit82 Said:
And you notice how the leftist anti-Israel Jews attacked him with ridicule – and no one answered the question. That was the point of the attacks – to disguise the truth inherent in the question.
…deceitful SOB’s
yamit82 Said:
And the keyword there is ‘payload’. Why Israel so stupid? It just takes one missile with the wrong junk in it. A missile hitting Tel Aviv is the trigger , it means you need to inflict 1.5 million collateral damage deaths on Gaza. Immediately, No waiting.
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No contest , End of story. Do it now or die later. Why wait for Armageddon?
@ LT COL HOWARD:
LT COL HOWARD Said:
No matter how this round ends Hamas will be strengthened because they have demonstrated that they can reach and thereby threaten Tel Aviv. Thus it’s Hamas who have attained deterrence over Israel and not the converse. They are producing their own copies of the Fajar 5, and with Iranian assistance they will improve the quatity, range, payload and accuracy. This is a matter of time.
There is no real substitute for boots on the ground even if it comes with a price tag. Air power has it’s limitations and that’s where grond forces come in. Israel needs to control Gaza and all entry ports,Our situation will get worse and the price to us will only rise.
Pay now or pay later. Now is cheaper. If the price means that Israel becomes a global pariah or leper, so be it. It will dissipate when other events and conflicts overtake us. Especially if the world sees Israel not bending to their dktat.
Rupert Murdoch Blasts the “Jewish Owned Press” for Not Being Pro-Israel Enough
Read more at http://themoderatevoice.com/168437/rupert-murdoch-blasts-the-jewish-owned-press-on-israel-for-not-being-pro-israel-enough/#o6Slk9uifrokD206.99
@ Canadian Otter:
Who said?:
China calls for restraint over Gaza flare-up
China has placed most if not all of the blame on Israel.
Israel better be very careful in her military sales to China, in the end they may wind up in the hands of our Arab enemies.
When Israel’s gas and oil comes on line and is ready for export we should cross China off our list of potential customers and let them know today our intentions.
Anybody who thought Israel was gaining closer ties with China better think again.
@ Canadian Otter:
Ans.: Far away from eminent elections.
@ Laura:
Laura Said:
Key word here is “ALLOW”
Question: Who and or what is not Allowing Israel to defeat her enemies especially the few thousand armed gangs in Gaza?
Israel by all measurable criteria have one of the strongest militaries in the world so this begs the question what prevents Israel from eradicating the so far non existential threat from an area of 350 sq miles essentially surrounded with their backs literally to the sea.
Theoretically Gaza for Israel could be equated to a duck shoot from the outside.
There is a widely held belief here that a Terrorist org. cannot be totally defeated, only controlled to acceptable proportions and threats.
I disagree and those in positions of authority who hold such positions should be fired and replaced with those who hold the opposite POV.
Enforcing tough positions is a means of making messages clear and dissuading enemies from launching attacks.
ISRAEL IS AT WAR.
ITS IMMEDIATE OBJECTIVES MUST BE :
SHORT-RANGE: stop the current missile attacks.
LONGER-RANGE: prevent missile attacks, ambushes, kidnappings, explosive tunnels and other offensive actions in the future byHamas, Hezbollah, and any other terrorist group.
Anything else is an Israeli defeat.
Israel has a limited time window in which to accomplish its objectives. After several days, world demand will force Israel to cease its operations. Whatever, Israel does not accomplish will remain a sword hanging over Israel’s head which will be executed in the future.
It must be emphasized that Israel, by taking her usual“measured approach” is guaranteeing that the next round of assault by Israel’s enemies will be more furious. This “measured” approach also substantially increases the likelihood that the next round of assault will occur.
THUS,ISRAEL MUST TAKE FORCEFUL AND IMMEDIATE ACTION.
HOWEVER, A LAND INVASION IS FOOLISH AND CREATES UNNECESSARY ISRAELI CASUALTIES
ISRAEL’S OBJECTIVES MUST BE:
1. TO IMMEDIATELY STOP THE ATTACK FROM GAZA.
2. TO ASSURE THAT HAMAS ,HEZBOLLAH, ETC. WILL NEVER AGAIN ATTACK ISRAEL BY MAKING IT CLEAR TO HAMAS,HEZBOLLAH< ETC. THAT ANY FUTURE ATTACK ON ISRAEL (INCLUDING EXPLOSIVE TUNNELS, BORDER RAIDS, ATTEMPTED KIDNAPPINGS, ETC. ETC.) WOULD BE IMMEDIATELY RESPONDED TO WITH OVERWHELMING RETALIATORY FORCE.
3. TO MAKE IT CLEAR TO HEZBOLLAH THAT THEY AND LEBANON WILL SUFFER CATASTROPHIC DAMAGE SHOULD THEY ATTEMPT ANY ATTACK (INCLUDING BORDER RAIDS, ATTEMPTED KIDNAPPINGS, ETC.)
TO IMMEDIATELY STOP THE ATTACK FROM GAZA AND TO DISCOURAGE ATTACKS FROM HAMAS, HEZBOLLAH, THE SINAI, ETC. ISRAEL MUST IMMEDIATELY TAKE THE FOLLOWING ACTIONS.
Israelis pride themselves on being restrained and utilizing “Proportional response”; being the most humane army in the world; precisely targeted retaliation; minimizing civilian casualties of the enemy. These are are all losing strategies. Israel gets no credit for its high moral standing. Rather, this is used against them in terms of Israel's enemies placing rocket launchers in civilian areas, etc.
Israel should announce that it's retaliation/prevention policy is strictly proportional. Just keep announcing it and then the media will repeat it.
The PUBLIC logic is simple. You are obligating yourself to do enough but no more (and no less) than is necessary. And, If Hamas does not stop its attacks, then by definition, you have not exercised sufficient force. Therefore, under the doctrine of “proportionality” Israel must increase the intensity of the Israeli attacks until Hamas ceases its offensive actions.
Israel must raise the price so high that the message is clear to Hamas: “don't even think about firing more missiles since our “proportionate response” would be immediate, fierce and very costly to you and to the population that you represent. For a specific example, announce that you have a list of 300 ( # ? ) residential buildings and publicize your list.( This constitutes “ fair warning” having been given to the inhabitants of these buildings.} Then announce that for each incoming missile you're going to destroy one of these buildings ….and if the Hamas attack continues, Israel must go ahead with these attacks. The residents of all 300 buildings. will feel the panic. Having given adequate warning, Israel must go ahead with these attacks.
Simultaneously, Israel should begin systematically destroying obvious and essential Gaza infrastructure. Examples include bridges over bodies of water. Key intersections. Shopping malls. Electrical and water grids.Also commercial properties and manufacturing properties should be on the target list and destroyed.
Electricity should be cut off.
Food should be blockaded and Israel's new policy should be that for every missile over certain class that Hamas and its allies turns over to Israel, Israel will let one truckload of food in.
In the short run it might increase Palestinian casualties. In the long run it will reduce Palestinian casualties since it will end the attacks sooner and prevent future attacks.
Translation:
De-escalation = Jews, put up with rockets, what’s the big deal, and stop attacking Palestinian militants (bloody terrorists) and destroying their property (arsenals).
It’s a scandal how violence is objectionable only when Jews try to defend themselves. Then the whole world talks about the de-escalating. De-escalating to the desired level of Jewish victimhood.
Terror should not be measured just in the number of actual killed or wounded. Terror is aimed at psychologically weakening the intended victims, making normal life impossible. A population disabled by a permanent state of fear.
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And a painful question: where was the Israeli government during the past 4 years when southern cities were getting pounded by Gazan rockets?
@ Laura:
The only way to have stability in the Israel is to allow Israel to win. Moreover without the disappearance, through some magical and uniquely miraculous process,of some 375million Arabs, 75million Turks and 80million Iranians stability is impossible. perhaps if we all concentrated on this special event, all this will happen. Enshallah.
The only way to have stability is to allow Israel to defeat its enemies.