Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert’s attempts of tying a Gaza truce deal to the return of abducted IDF soldier Gilad Shalit has created dissent both within Israel and from Hamas. The National Security Cabinet debated a measure to continue the blockade on Gaza until the release of Shalit, while Israeli protesters declared that Olmert continues “zig zagging” on the issue and that the government should mandate a prisoner exchange prior to any truce. Hamas officials contended that the precondition constitutes a “diplomatic heist,” citing previous Israeli claims to separate Shalit from any truce deal. Instead, Hamas officials claim the need to pair a cease fire with opening borders.
While fallout from Operation Cast Lead continues to influence internal Israeli politics, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad declared that he continues to pursue a peace deal with Israel. Even though he intends to pursue negotiations, he stated that both the Gaza operation and the likely right-leaning Israeli coalition would garner a peace deal more difficult to achieve.
Israeli President Shimon Peres receives the official election results this evening and begins urging one party chairman to form a coalition. Peres met with Yisrael Beiteinu Chairman Avigdor Lieberman this morning as Likud continues to entice his support. Meanwhile, Livni continues championing the ‘land for peace’ position.
Peres made news yesterday as well declaring the 2005 pullout from Gaza a mistake “which will not be repeated.” A historically left-wing politician who joined the center-right Kadima party upon its inception, Peres stated that Israel “could have done things differently,” although his office stressed that he is still in support of the disengagement but condones the execution of the operation.
Turkey-Israel relations remain tense with one Israeli publication criticizing its own government for recent spats between the two nations. Turkish PM Erdogan declared recent Olmert statements regarding Operation Cast Lead as “inconsistent” with the working relationship the two countries enjoy.
The Israeli economy appears to be joining the global economic slump with 20,000 jobs lost in January.
