Israel plans to complete Gaza pullout before Obama inauguration

[Scurrilous]

Senior officials tell visiting European leaders that, barring any unforeseen developments, Israel will withdraw all IDF forces from Strip as gesture to incoming US president and to consolidate 'anti-smuggling' memorandum

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3658377,00.html

<snip>

"Barring any unforeseen developments, Israeli forces are expected to complete their withdrawal from Gaza prior to the inauguration of US President-elect Barack Obama on January 20 (7 pm GMT).

Israel's plan to withdraw prior to the inauguration as a gesture to the incoming US president was mentioned during Sunday's talks between visiting European leaders and Ehud Olmert at the prime minister's official Jerusalem residence."

<snip>

"Cabinet ministers told Ynet that Israel does not want to "embarrass" Obama as he takes office and is hoping to continue its cooperation with the US in the global fight against Islamist terror and the prevention of arms smuggling into Gaza, in accordance with the "memorandum of understanding" signed this week by Livni and US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice."

[Chulanowa]

1. Thank god, I was wrong

Thankfully Hamas can't shoot worth a shit, so it should be a safe withdraw for IDF soldiers

[bemildred]

2. Good idea. Wiser heads prevail for a change. nt

[stillcool]

3. Where is the logic?

Am I missing something? No more dead Palestinians because Israel doesn't want to embarrass Obama?

[bemildred]

4. It's not Obama being "embarassed" that the worry is about.

That is sort of an euphemism. It would have been better to call it a "gesture of respect" or something like that. but that would be smart, and being smart is forbidden in international politics, it could make you look "weak".

[stillcool]

5. What does a new President have to do

with what Israel does or doesn't do to the Palestinians? Because Obama is President, they can all go home?

[bemildred]

6. Mr Obama will soon have a great deal of arbitrary power.

If it was me, I'd suck up in the most polite sort of way, it never hurts to be polite.

[Idealism]

7. I hope so, it is past time for this needless violence to end n/t