There is an almost deafening silence as the Middle East awaits US President-elect Barack Obama to give his sound bytes on Israel's relentless atrocities against the Palestinians.
With possibly days to go before a ground offensive gets underway - increasing the casualty list of innocent men, women and children - Obama holds his opinion while his advisers remind the world that the US still has - for the next few days - only one real President and his name is George W. Bush.
Obama's silence does not bode well for the Palestinians who are being trodden upon with impunity. It is also a reversal from his mantra of "change we can believe in".
Obama may not fully fracture the current pro-Israeli stance being trumpeted by the US. But surely it beggars belief that the policies of the new government will be in contrast to the one that is ready to vacate the White House? Can Hillary Clinton be relied upon to erase the pro-Israeli line that she has adopted, thanks to her successful tenure in New York? Or for that matter National Security Adviser James Jones and Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel? The solutions lie with Obama. He must begin to assume the responsibilities of his office.
Your comments
How many times do we have to say "stop doing that" before anyone actually listens? The Israelis have warned so many times that it will have serious consequences, the responsibility in this case is 100 per cent on Hamas. Of course, this is exactly what Hamas wanted to happen, no doubt about it. Usually, I would side with the Palestinians. However, in this case I think Hamas is at fault.
John
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: January 04, 2009, 13:12
I do not think Obama will change the American policy. I think that this will never happen. He is a wolf in a sheep's clothing. I do not think people should have false expectations.
Ehsan Murad
Manama,Bahrain
Posted: January 04, 2009, 11:14
