*Obama's Opportunity ?

I have no way of knowing of course, but I am reasonably certain that Israel chose this time to take on Hamas because of the soon to be Obama Administration. This would not be too surprising given all the talk about contact between the Obama people and Hamas representatives, which Obama has flatly denied, who knows. Either way it is fairly common knowledge that Israel is concerned about what the Obama Administration's policies will be towards the whole Israel-Palestinian question.

On the other hand Israel may be setting the groundwork for the inevitable Obama-Clinton Mid East Peace initiative. Actually it is very possible that Israel will still be occupying Gaza when Obama takes over. If so then the first concession they (Israel) could make would be to let Secretary of State Clinton negotiate, eventually, their withdrawal.

This would be a win, win for Israel and Obama. Israel decimates Hamas and lets Obama look like the Peace Maker by allowing him to broker the withdrawal. This would start the Obama administration out with a very significant foreign policy success. It would not be surprising if there has not been communications between Obama and the Israel Government and that is why Obama has stayed so quiet about the entire situation. He has nothing to gain by interjecting himself into the conflict, but everything to gain by resolving it.

This actually could be exactly the opening that is needed to truly solve the Palestinian problem. First, the most radical elements of the Palestinian people (Hamas) are severely weakened. Second, the new beloved American President steps in to restore peace. Third, strong pressure is put on the more moderate Palestinian elements (Fatah) which has been negotiating with Israel for awhile now to reach a comprehensive peace plan. Fourth, and perhaps most important, get the Arab heavy hitters, Saudi Arabia etc. to back the process.

All this has a better chance of success if it happens at the very start of his Administration while everyone, especially internationally, have such a strong positive view of Obama. If Obama-Clinton can get this all going quickly, if it is not already, it actually might work and start the Obama Administration out with a giant success. Or, as is more likely, the new President will find himself exactly where all his predecessors have, stuck in the quagmire of the Israel-Palestinian conflict. We can only hope it will be different this time.

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