It's my understanding that the cease fire was from 1-4 pm (at least that's what the NYT said: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/08/world/middleeast/08mideast.html?_r=1&hp), the rockets on Beer Sheva were definitely at shortly before 4:30, and I don't think there was anything after 1 (at least not according to the Haaretz Flash News), so as far as I can tell Hamas didn't end this afternoon's ceasefire early. Aside from that slight factual issue, though, I really liked this entry - you do a great job of describing the atmosphere.
I didn't mean today's ceasefire. I meant the "lull arrangement" that, to my understanding, Hamas broke before the understood end-date. Not that the rockets had actually stopped even during the 6-month lull.
Not meant in this context as argument or justification (independent of whether or not argument or justification are merited), just for the sake of clarification as to original intention.
Ah! (yeah, as I'm sure you know the answer to who's to blame for the disintegration of the 6-month cease fire varies depending on the biases of who's answering, but I don't think either one of us wants to go there right now, so) thanks for the clarification about original intention!
I know that Israel is exacerbating the negative opinion in the rest of the world with how the response is being carried out
I don't know if that's all the way true. I think that there is a significant current of understanding. When I've been engaging in discussions with people on this, most have been admitting that Israel has a point, even if they disagree with some actions.
As for the rest, well, european countries are european countries, arab countries are arab countries - frankly, most of them hate Israel and always will no matter what Israel does. It is very difficult for me to believe that there is no anti-semitism in that.
What I see as evidence of progress is that no one, even the Arab countries, are willing to actually do anything to hurt Israel. And Egypt is tacitly cooperating. at some level they are recognizing reality.
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I'm just glad you're safe.
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Not meant in this context as argument or justification (independent of whether or not argument or justification are merited), just for the sake of clarification as to original intention.
Larger sentiment: thanks.
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I don't know if that's all the way true. I think that there is a significant current of understanding. When I've been engaging in discussions with people on this, most have been admitting that Israel has a point, even if they disagree with some actions.
As for the rest, well, european countries are european countries, arab countries are arab countries - frankly, most of them hate Israel and always will no matter what Israel does. It is very difficult for me to believe that there is no anti-semitism in that.
What I see as evidence of progress is that no one, even the Arab countries, are willing to actually do anything to hurt Israel. And Egypt is tacitly cooperating. at some level they are recognizing reality.
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take care of yourself over there, okay?
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