As Hamas and other terror groups ratchet up the pressure on Israel, it appears that the Israeli government is having trouble deciding to take action in Gaza. Some observers speculate that the Winograd Commission's criticism of the rush to war in 2006 may have cooled the government's feet.
A Kassam rocket exploded Sunday near a gas station not far from Sderot, causing moderate-to- serious wounds to a car wash employee. Had it struck a few meters away instead, a disastrous explosion might have been caused. Four more rockets had been fired from Gaza by Sunday evening. Monday, another Kassam hit a home next to a day care center.
Despite what seems like an escalation by the Gaza terrorists, Defense Minister Amir Peretz sounded a less threatening note Monday than he has in the recent past.
"Today we woke up to a barrage of Kassams towards the place where I live," Peretz said in a ceremony honoring companies that employ IDF reservists and treat them well. He then added what seemed like a half-hearted threat: "We are doing everything in order to preserve calm and prevent escalation, but I will say explicitly: let no terror organization delude itself."
"Our duty to protect Israel's citizens is not negotiable," Peretz said. "We will choose the right time and the required initiatives against the terror organizations trying to disrupt our citizens' lives."
Peretz added some decidedly pacifistic tones: " In the face of military courage, one needs diplomatic courage, because … the confusion and feeling of crisis… this is the opportune time for a wide diplomatic initiative and an effort to establish relations with the entire Arab world."
Livni: "I want to hear from the military brass. The situation on the border is complicated."
Another line uttered by Peretz could have easily come from the Winograd Commission's report: "Before any element in Israel gives the order to do battle, we must hold our head up and be able to say that we did all we could to prevent it, to find a diplomatic solution."
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert also seems to be skirting the issue of Gaza and putting off a decision. Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni criticized the government Monday for not convening the security cabinet to discuss the rocket attacks emanating from Gaza.
"As a member of the Cabinet I expect there to be a discussion of the Kassam attacks, and that the military top echelon also speak before the government," Livni said, in a joint press conference with visiting German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier. "I want to hear from the military brass. The situation on the border is complicated, the border between Egypt and Gaza is open and we need to think about how we deal with this and hold a structured, informed discussion."
Sources close to Livni said afterwards that her remarks were not intended as criticism of the PM, but of the IDF.
A Kassam rocket exploded Sunday near a gas station not far from Sderot, causing moderate-to- serious wounds to a car wash employee. Had it struck a few meters away instead, a disastrous explosion might have been caused. Four more rockets had been fired from Gaza by Sunday evening. Monday, another Kassam hit a home next to a day care center.
Despite what seems like an escalation by the Gaza terrorists, Defense Minister Amir Peretz sounded a less threatening note Monday than he has in the recent past.
"Today we woke up to a barrage of Kassams towards the place where I live," Peretz said in a ceremony honoring companies that employ IDF reservists and treat them well. He then added what seemed like a half-hearted threat: "We are doing everything in order to preserve calm and prevent escalation, but I will say explicitly: let no terror organization delude itself."
"Our duty to protect Israel's citizens is not negotiable," Peretz said. "We will choose the right time and the required initiatives against the terror organizations trying to disrupt our citizens' lives."
Peretz added some decidedly pacifistic tones: " In the face of military courage, one needs diplomatic courage, because … the confusion and feeling of crisis… this is the opportune time for a wide diplomatic initiative and an effort to establish relations with the entire Arab world."
Livni: "I want to hear from the military brass. The situation on the border is complicated."
Another line uttered by Peretz could have easily come from the Winograd Commission's report: "Before any element in Israel gives the order to do battle, we must hold our head up and be able to say that we did all we could to prevent it, to find a diplomatic solution."
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert also seems to be skirting the issue of Gaza and putting off a decision. Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni criticized the government Monday for not convening the security cabinet to discuss the rocket attacks emanating from Gaza.
"As a member of the Cabinet I expect there to be a discussion of the Kassam attacks, and that the military top echelon also speak before the government," Livni said, in a joint press conference with visiting German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier. "I want to hear from the military brass. The situation on the border is complicated, the border between Egypt and Gaza is open and we need to think about how we deal with this and hold a structured, informed discussion."
Sources close to Livni said afterwards that her remarks were not intended as criticism of the PM, but of the IDF.