attacks against Israel and holds Hamas responsible for breaking the
ceasefire and for the renewal of violence in Gaza. The ceasefire should
be restored immediately," a U.S. State Department statement said.
"Obama, who visited Israel and the occupied West Bank in July,
pledged at the time — in an apparent jab at Bush's last-minute efforts
to secure peace — not to "wait a few years into my term or my second
term if I'm elected" to press for a deal.
There was no immediate comment on the Israeli air strikes on Gaza
from Obama, who is vacationing with his family in Hawaii, or his staff."
First
chance to take leadership on an issue he has acknowledged is central to
US foreign policy in his administration and the silence is deafening.
Liberal America: Huffpo emphasizes retaliation aspect and says most killed were "security men," though Huffpo's frontpage is appropriately ghastly. Nothing on J Street site about Gaza attacks. Nothing on TPM. Wait, now they've got Olmert's picture up, asking for patience. The Times emphasizes that attacks were a response to rocket attacks by Hamas. Though yes, it describes the horror in Gaza City. AIPAC is down today–much-deserved vacation.
