Gaza Update: US Says, "Go, Israel, Go" (A Bit Longer)

Just watched CNN's live coverage of the press briefing --- which is not yet posted on the Web --- by White House spokesman Gordon Johndroe from the Bush complex in Crawford, Texas.

The key phrase, repeated by Johndroe in his statement and in responses to questions, is that the US supports a "sustainable and durable cease-fire". Johndroe's further explanation? "We don't just want a cease-fire for the sake of a cease-fire." Until Israel and the US get assurances from Hamas that there will be no rocket attacks, "We are not going to have a cease-fire that's worth the paper it's written on."



In other words, the US is not only accepting but endorsing continued Israeli military action. This is in sharp contrast to calls from the UN Secretary-General, the European Union, and even some British officials for an "immediate cease-fire".

There is a recent and important parallel here. Johndroe's wording is almost exactly that used by the Bush Administration during the Israeli invasion of Lebanon in summer 2006. As most in the international community called for an unconditional end of hostilities, Washington and London continued to accept Israeli operations under the guise that they wanted a "meaningful cease-fire".

The key reason for the eventually cease-fire was Hezbollah's resistance and the difficulties faced by Israeli ground forces rather than any action by the US or Britain. My money is on a similar outcome --- with Hamas' resistance being more significant politically rather than militarily --- this time.

Gaza Update (5 a.m. Israel; 10 p.m. Eastern US): This is "All-Out War"

Latest Updates: Gaza: This is an (Israeli) War of Choice
and Gaza: The Futility of the Israeli War

Israel's bombardment of Gaza has entered a fourth day, with ministerial offices targets and the Islamic University hit again. At least 350 Palestinians have been killed, and hospitals are overwhelmed with casualties. Four Israelis have been killed by rocket fire.

The UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-Moon, has now called for a cease-fire. Perhaps most significantly, at least for US-European relations, the British Government is distancing itself from Washington and calling for a cessation of hostilities.