In an agitated region, Israel-Gaza conflict has dangerous potential; U.S. leadership needed
While we sort out who in our national security and defense hierarchy has been sleeping with whom, it appears Israel and terrorists in the Palestinian-controlled Gaza Strip are heading into a full-fledged war. As night falls in the region, Israeli officials have confirmed the first rocket attacks on Tel Aviv since the 1991 Gulf War. The Times of Israel has a running live blog of the action.
Those attacks followed yesterday’s Israeli strikes on terrorist targets in Gaza, including one that killed the leader of the military arm of Hamas. Both Hamas and another group called Islamic Jihad previously had ramped up their sporadic firing of rockets into southern Israel; as of mid-October, Israeli officials said there had been more than 800 rocket attacks on their country from Gaza this year.
Given the civil war in Syria, to Israel’s east; the new Egyptian government’s support of its fellow Muslim Brotherhood affiliate, Hamas; and Iran’s ties to both the Syrian government and the Gaza-based terrorist groups, it doesn’t seem likely that this conflict will be as contained as in previous flare-ups in recent years.
One thing is certain: The various actors in this conflict will be looking to see what the U.S. response is. President Obama’s initial engagement — voicing support for Israel’s right to self-defense, and urging the Egyptian government to work to de-escalate matters from the Palestinian side — was good. He’ll need to hold that line in the days to come and give stronger measures of support for Israel. I very much hope that stops short of involving our own military, but anything less than absolute support for Israel could trigger a war that engulfs the entire region.
– By Kyle Wingfield
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351 comments Add your comment
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right
November 15th, 2012
2:42 pm
Why intervene when the Sgt. Schultz defense has worked so well for you. . .
independent thinker
November 15th, 2012
2:43 pm
Joh 2397-”". Is Obama is likely to allow once again super power Israel to carry out killings, massacres, genocides and destruction at her WILL?”"”
Yeah here’s why that superpower is behaving badly and not sitting down and giving the Arab Palestinians whatever they want:
“”"”"”"”"”"”"”"”The first three Palestinian missiles reached the Tel Aviv suburb of Gush Dan, Thursday night, Nov. 15. shortly after a long-range missile exploded in Rishon Lezion southeast of Tel Aviv and sirens sounded in outlying towns of Holon, Ness Ziona, Gan Raveh and Beer Yacov. None report casualties or damage. Defense Minister Ehud Barak has ordered 30,000 army reservists drafted. The IDF spokesmen earlier reported units of the elite paratroop and Givati Brigades were mustering outside the Gaza Strip on the second day of Israel’s counter-terror operation Pillar of Cloud.
Thursday morning, a rocket from Gaza killed three Israelis in Kiryat Malachi. By then, some 120 rockets – mostly targeting the major towns of Beersheba and Ashdod, but also smaller locations – had followed Jabari’s death. Iron Dome intercepted 27.The first reserve units had been mobilized for possible ground action in Gaza to supplement the air offensive against the Palestinian missile arsenal.”"”"”"”"”"”"”"”"”
From Debka File one hour ago.
The Iron Dome system was developed jointly with the US courtesy of Obama and has deflected and destroyed over 100 missiles. I guess John is justifiably offended that the Israelis are retaliating .
@@
November 15th, 2012
2:53 pm
Since Israel is calling up their reserve units, I assume this will involve more than air strikes.
Kyle Wingfield
November 15th, 2012
2:53 pm
I Report: Your 2:17 was well over the line. You’re off the blog for a while.
Rafe Hollister, dreading the eventual decline caused by Obamanism
November 15th, 2012
2:54 pm
It may be just one of those vast right wing conspiracies that affect us conservatives from time to time, but something tells me Nate Silver, Cheesy, and Finn might know each other very intimately. Maybe we can call this blogger, Fineesver.
Waif Mollester
November 15th, 2012
2:55 pm
Rafe, I think you are on to something there.
Aquagirl
November 15th, 2012
2:55 pm
I think we should support Hamas by offering all the body bags they need.
Kyle Wingfield
November 15th, 2012
2:58 pm
And John Q: Your 2:39 was in keeping with the kind of comments I’ve banned others for. You’re going to be off the blog for a while, too.
Lil' Barry Bailout - OBAMAPHONE!!!
November 15th, 2012
2:58 pm
Dayam, Aquagirl–hardcore. First time I’ve come close to agreeing with you.
Kyle Wingfield
November 15th, 2012
2:59 pm
And finally, I’ve allowed “libtard” under Rule No. 2 for this blog for a while, but I think it’s time to get rid of that word, too. Clearly, people don’t take it as a cue to ignore the person(s) who use it. LBB won’t be in moderation for using it today since I’ve allowed it before, but that won’t be the case from now on. And I’m unpublishing all references to it in this thread.
Bye Bye Cheesy Grits
November 15th, 2012
3:00 pm
It may be just one of those vast right wing conspiracies that affect us conservatives from time to time
U guys always have at least one going.
After Benghazi dies down it will be interesting to see what the next one is.
Bye Bye Cheesy Grits
November 15th, 2012
3:04 pm
Sorry you are having so much trouble Kyle.
Its shortly after the election and a lot of people are still red hot about it.
I certainly dont agree with your Politics but most of what I say and do here has a certain spirit of good fun.
These issues should be taken seriously and certain things dont add to the discourse.
BTW I’m a bulldog too.
Go Dawgs. Beat Bama.
Laters
JamVet
November 15th, 2012
3:05 pm
The Middle East is always one incident away from exploding. And it has been that way for a LONG time.
And the ONLY American administration who has helped substantially and in any long lasting way was …………………………………………….. wait for it…………………………… the Carter administration.
Camp David still reigns as the single biggest success in American foreign policy there since WWII.
Now, cue up the irrational, veracity-free Carter haters here!
Rafe Hollister, dreading the eventual decline caused by Obamanism
November 15th, 2012
3:06 pm
In a time of universal deceit – telling the truth is a revolutionary act.
George Orwell
Orwell, time traveler, must have paid us a visit following the Benghazi massacre.
Rafe Hollister, dreading the eventual decline caused by Obamanism
November 15th, 2012
3:10 pm
JamVet, does Barry’s Muslim Brotherhood buddy in Egypt support the Camp David accords?
Thomas Heyward Jr
November 15th, 2012
3:11 pm
I betcha John Q is the kinda narc who rats you out to the HOA .
.
or the IRS.
.
Beware Sir………..there’s secesh fever in the air.
blackbird13
November 15th, 2012
3:13 pm
Someone remind me why the U.S. has to get involved in this crap for the umpteenth time….is it oil? I forget.
carlosgvv
November 15th, 2012
3:13 pm
I Report – 2:30
No, the Holocaust was not a hoax.
That complete lack of reading comprehension on your part only reinforces what I said.
Aquagirl
November 15th, 2012
3:15 pm
Dayam, Aquagirl–hardcore. First time I’ve come close to agreeing with you.
Well, we could send shovels too but they’d probably try to use them against Israeli tanks.
JamVet
November 15th, 2012
3:15 pm
Rafe,
English, please.
I am not conversant in Republican Ebonics.
carlosgvv
November 15th, 2012
3:16 pm
Kyle – 2:53
You’re being too kind. That rant of his deserves a permanent banning.
@@
November 15th, 2012
3:26 pm
Kyle – 2:53
You’re being too kind. That rant of his deserves a permanent banning.
And miles to go before they sleep, Kyle.
Inchworms on a mission, they are.
Nate Silver
November 15th, 2012
3:30 pm
“Inchworms on a mission, they are.”
Yes the blogger was and he paid the price for it.
BenDaho
November 15th, 2012
3:31 pm
I wonder if the league of nations knew what they were doing when they gave them that parcel of land..
@@
November 15th, 2012
3:35 pm
Nate:
I have never celebrated anyone’s banishment be they D or R.
You ladies, on the other hand, wallow in them….like PIGGS in mud.
schnirt
Nate Silver
November 15th, 2012
3:46 pm
@@
See you are still stinging from last week. You purposely didn’t mention what he blogger posted, yet did your usual whine @ 3:26. Much too obvious, however you can carry on that whine all you like.
Those who get suspended or banished do so based on their own actions. All else is whining and crying.
Thomas Heyward Jr
November 15th, 2012
3:48 pm
These guys need to have flouride put in their water, elect some more women politicians, and watch more NFL football.(not soccer….football).
That way, the jews, arabs, and the palistinian men could become as emasculated as American men.
.
These people have been going at each other for over 5,000 years. And it’s just not Jews and Palestinians. It’s Arab against Arab for the most part (I speak of the region as a whole). The Arab culture is a tribal based culture, and never-ending low level conflict is a part of that culture, as it is in most tribal based cultures.
No matter who you are, if you are there, you get shot at or bombed eventually. Heck, they even killed Jesus for going around preaching peace, tolerance, turning the other cheek and all.
.
And if obama does commit OUR forces……he better dang sure get congress’ approval.
.
There’s secesh fever in the air.
@@
November 15th, 2012
3:56 pm
Nate:
See you are still stinging from last week. You purposely didn’t mention what he blogger posted, yet did your usual whine @ 3:26.
The results of the election did not surprise me, therefore, no sting.
I didn’t mention it because I didn’t see it. Maybe if you didn’t read every post, your panties wouldn’t stay in a bunch.
A “whine” isn’t followed by a schnirt.
Now let’s move on, shall we?
ROSENBERG
November 15th, 2012
3:56 pm
Right now, Gaza is being bombarded in what Israel is calling ‘Operation Pillar of Defense’. JVP has issued a statement about this operation which can be found here.
This escalation of violence by Israel, on the eve of an election there, and with the unconditional support of the US government, cannot go unchallenged. Together we must demand: Stop the Bombs. Stop the Siege. Stop Payment on the Israeli Military’s Blank Check.
This statement was issued by JEWISH VOICES FOR PEACE.
One million people now under lethal missile attack
According to US law, Hamas is on official list of FOREIGN TERRORIST ORGANIZATIONS, an FTO.
According to US law, anyone who supports an FTO can be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
In that context, at a time when the Hamas regime in Gaza continues to launch aerial attacks against the Israeli civilian population,the Jewish Voices for Peace has issued a statement of full support for the Hamas regime in Gaza.
The Israel Advocacy Task Force calls on all supporters of justice and peace in the middle east to demand that the US Justice Department Division of Counter Intelligence to arrest and incarcerate the members of the Jewish Voices for Peace and to prosecute JVP to the full extent of the law.
While Israel is being bombarded by Hamas, WE DARE NOT ALLOW SUCH STATEMENTS TO VILIFY ISRAEL. RABBI DR. BERNHARD ROSENBERG, FOUNDER AND PRESIDENT , ISRAEL ADVOCACY TASK FORCE. BY COINCIDENCE I HAVE BEEN BANNED FROM FACEBOOK BECAUSE OF A ISSUED COMPLAINT.
cc
November 15th, 2012
3:57 pm
“And if obama does commit OUR forces……he better dang sure get congress’ approval.”
Why?
He didn’t seem to need it to involve us in the Libyan affair.
I don’t think you need worry about it, though. Obama is not a strong military supporter of Israel, and Netanyahu knew Israel was pretty much “on their own” when this began. I just hope Obama doesn’t commit troops AGAINST Israel!
Nate Silver
November 15th, 2012
4:00 pm
@@
It will be alright. Whining about another blogger being sent packing because of their own words is nothing but…………… whining.
It will be alright.
So yes, let’s move on
Glenn
November 15th, 2012
4:01 pm
Thats nuts Kyle . Why align all of our support around Israel ? They are terrorist regime as well . If we were to do anything as a country it should be to stop giving them aid . Israel is more divided then we are . America should only throw support behind a a regime that supports a two state solution . Nevermind that when Rebin did that he was killed by one of his own .
skipper
November 15th, 2012
4:01 pm
If we (namely LBJ) had left Israel alone during/after the six-day war, there would be a TON less problems over there. They had the plan, strategy, and man-power to take ‘em all out. We should have let them finish off that cesspool over there…..now look at all the problems they are causing the world!
Nate Silver
November 15th, 2012
4:02 pm
“I don’t think you need worry about it, though. Obama is not a strong military supporter of Israel, ”
Except for the fact that aid and military sales to Israel haven’t changed. Numerous military exercises between the two countries have been conducted since Obama came into office and their is no tangible evidence that the Mossad, CIA and FBI are coordinating any less, you might be onto something.
You are one fact filled little dude
joe
November 15th, 2012
4:04 pm
Don’t expect any leadership from Barry…all he does is lie, deflect and pass the buck.
cc
November 15th, 2012
4:05 pm
“Israel has no intention of agreeing to a cease-fire that will only last a couple of weeks, Foreign Minister Avigdor Liberman said Thursday night.
Liberman spoke with his counterparts from Germany, Italy, Britain, France, Canada and Bulgaria, trying to convince them of Israel’s right and responsibility to carry out strikes in Gaza in order to protect Israelis.”
http://www.jpost.com/Headlines/Article.aspx?id=292088
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right
November 15th, 2012
4:12 pm
Green light Israel to do whatever the heck they want and promise to veto any u. N. Resolution against them. Sell them everything they need to eradicate ecru threat and provide them all the intelligence they need.
Sit back, have a beer, and watch them kick Palestinian a$$.
cc
November 15th, 2012
4:12 pm
“You are one fact filled little dude”
Only making very drawing very logical conclusions based on what Obama has shown me so far.
BTW, this was my first, last and only response to you. I just don’t like your “whining” attitude, if you get what I mean . . .
Thomas Heyward Jr
November 15th, 2012
4:12 pm
cc
November 15th, 2012
3:57 pm
“And if obama does commit OUR forces……he better dang sure get congress’ approval.”
Why?
He didn’t seem to need it to involve us in the Libyan affair.
—————————————————————————————-
.
Don’t assume that i agreed with that either.
It was……….and remains……….criminal.
Ditto Syria.
.
Thanks to W and the dude that followed………our entire foreign policy has been………………..Roved.
As in Carl.
JamVet
November 15th, 2012
4:12 pm
Obama is not a strong military supporter of Israel. I just hope Obama doesn’t commit troops AGAINST Israel!
More made up out of thin air, Limbaughesque nonsense.
The kind that got you clobbered last week.
Keep up the good work…
Glenn
November 15th, 2012
4:12 pm
@ skipper
Take them all out ? The Arabs ? The only group that would take in the Jews ? Not even the Cubans would take the Jews in . The whole world turned down a Jewish area before they ended up in British Palestine .
Nate Silver
November 15th, 2012
4:14 pm
cc
Don’t whine because you presented something without facts. I replied to you with facts. Too bad if you do not like them.
Nate Silver
November 15th, 2012
4:16 pm
JamVet
Exactly. While some on the right are looking to regroup for better days, others are doubling down on the same losing bet.
Oh well.
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
November 15th, 2012
4:18 pm
The Black Friday strike by Wal-Mart employees is on.
To learn more about what crappiness Wal-Mart does check out the movie “Wal-Mart: the high cost of low prices.”
Tells how the company gets employees to use taxpayer-funded health insurance programs so we are all subsidizing the company.
Nate Silver
November 15th, 2012
4:23 pm
cc
Guess you are unable to factually dispute anything I posted about Israel.
Figured as much
Thanks for playing
Lil' Barry Bailout - OBAMAPHONE!!!
November 15th, 2012
4:25 pm
If you have a problem with Walmart, don’t work or shop there. Walmart has no obligation to pay their employee’s health care bills other than what is required by law. Do you have any evidence they aren’t complying with the law in that regards?
Didn’t think so.
Don Abernethy
November 15th, 2012
4:28 pm
Israel has nuclear weapons and bombs (lots of them_) and their enemies do not. Israel can take care of itself and it will use what ever is needed to protect their country.
David Patton
November 15th, 2012
4:30 pm
Kyle–when you say leadership is needed from the White House–is “Lead from behind” really the strategy the world needs at this time?
Bobo
November 15th, 2012
4:32 pm
Any response other than to stand with Israel, ultimately will spell our doom. Every nation that has ever stood against Israel has eventually been destroyed. Call me a fanatic if you want, but read your history books. Ancient Babylon no longer exists. There are carbon-dated chariot wheels that have been pulled out of the Red Sea dating to ancient Egypt. If you want a modern day rendition, look at Cuba. Cuba refused to accept Jewish refugees running from Nazi Germany in WWII and what happened when they turned their back on God’s chosen people? BAM…50 years of oppression of their own under a communist dictator. The free became the enslaved.
Frankly, it is fairly obvious that Obama is a Muslim sympathizer if not an actual Muslim who has gone secular in his ideals. It seems possible that he is even a plant from the Middle East and our country is now so stupid that everyone who drank the Kool-Aid bought it. Things are about to get real for the U.S. in the next generation in a way that it hasn’t since 1941, if not worse than that. The wolves at the door, this time, are in the Middle East and the Far East.
Redcoat
November 15th, 2012
4:32 pm
Obama will fix it…..you’ll see…..He has never been defeated…..ever!