Obama Silent On Gaza

Apparently American President-elect Barack Obama prefers silence to making any sound about the Indian-Pakistani military escalations and the missile shield row between Russia and NATO. But a look at the tragic and heart wrenching bloody scenes of Gaza he came to know from both TV and intelligence reports will not break this silence. Indeed, Obama’s behavior implies double-dealing and cautiousness. Perhaps he believes that adopting an attitude other than expressing his worries would be more risky than being accused of passivity. What he intended to say might frustrate the Palestinians and Arabs, even with the optimum aspects of diplomacy.

Obama justifies this silence by claiming that he respects traditions. He says when there is still a president he cannot handle foreign policy. But he can handle the economic crisis and domestic affairs. With the Gaza crisis, we can firmly say what his attitude should be, when we saw his declarations on his visit to Israel last July during his electoral campaign. Obama said he thoroughly understands Israel’s response to rockets launching from Gaza, because he would do anything if anyone thought of threatening the security and stability of his family and he expected Israel to do the same. Besides, he showed unwillingness to hold talks with Hamas if there was no change in its relationship with Israel and certainly handled his country’s special relationship with Israel.

That was what he said during the electoral campaign, always associated with the electoral interests. Still, the current developments may incite him to change his mind after taking the oath. So, what would he say? Here are the known American attitudes: condemning violence, asking Israel to show self restraint provided that Hamas stops launching rockets and being diametrically opposed with the National Palestinian Authority in addition to asking the Arab countries, especially Egypt, to corner Hamas.

Obama definitely wishes for a cease-fire before assuming the office so that he can wisely deal with the issue. However, the matter is urgent and there is no place for waiting. It is a catastrophe that would force him to rearrange his priorities and put aside the files of Iraq, Afghanistan and Iran for a while to solve a riddle, ranked the 12th among his foreign policies’ preponderants.

Nevertheless, we should bear in mind, according to Obama’s Defense Secretary, that the first months of Obama’s rule should not be a test to his intentions. “Change” will not change the fundamental interests in the Middle East. That is why we do not have to wait for his, or somebody else’s magical stick, the keys of closed doors are in our pockets.