A rocket fired from Lebanon landed in northern Israel overnight, with the IDF returning fire and holding the Lebanese government responsible for the blasts. The attack comes approximately a week after the anniversary of the assassination of Hizballah military chief Imad Mugniyah, citing in Israeli security circles as a reason to elevate caution and expect terror strikes and abductions of Israelis.
A New York Times piece claims Likud Chairman Binyamin Netanyahu recently began ascribing towards a more pragmatist path instead of his historically hawkish stance often at odds with U.S. policy. In the article, Netanyahu claims that Obama told him:
“You and I have a lot in common… I started on the left and moved to the center. You started on the right and moved to the center. We are both pragmatists who like to get things done.”
Meanwhile, one Arab editorial describes the upcoming Netanyahu term as disastrous and the prospect of moderation a “fantasy.”
Egypt intends to host reconciliation talks between Fatah and Hamas next week in Cairo. The announcement comes as Egypt prepares a Gaza rehabilitation and recovery summit for early March. Further, Egypt suspended commercial cooperation with Israel out of suspected protest to the Israeli security cabinet’s decision to enforce a blockade on Gaza until the return of abducted IDF soldier Gilad Shalit.
Meanwhile, the State Department reaffirms its position on Hamas stating:
“Should they accept the existence of the state of Israel, should they stop trying to violently overthrow the state of Israel, should they wish to reengage in the peace process and stop trying to rearm by smuggling rockets and other arms into Gaza, then there could be a place for them in future discussions. But until that happens, I don’t see our position changing.”
Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry may have received a letter from Hamas to transmit to President Obama. Conflicting reports from various officials question the existence of the letter. The rumored letter urges Obama to act in “fairness” regarding the Palestinians.
A food coop in Brooklyn may boycott Israeli products over opposition to Operation Cast Lead. The dissent, described by one rabbi as unlikely to actualize, would not affect the importation of many products but may polarize the Jewish community that shops at the food coop.
A recent late night Israeli comedy bit that included the impregnation of the Virgin Mary at the age of 15 and an overweight Jesus sparked outrage from the Vatican and Christmas groups. The comedian intended to satire the recent revocation of excommunication by the Vatican of a holocaust denying preacher.
