ISRAELI POLITICS:PRIME MINISTER Ehud Olmert, defence minister Ehud Barak and foreign minister Tzipi Livni have met together almost every day since the military campaign was launched on December 27th.
The “war troika” has tried to portray an image of unity, both to boost public morale, and to portray an image to the enemy that Israel remains steadfast and determined to pursue the operation until its objectives are realised.
But, with the war now well into its third week, the Israeli media is reporting serious differences of opinion over the question of when to end the campaign.
All three agree that Israel has already chalked up some significant gains: Hamas was caught by surprise and has suffered a significant military blow which, to a large extent, has restored Israel’s deterrence.
Israeli fatalities – 10 soldiers and three civilians – remain relatively low .
The question is: should Israel stop now or continue until Hamas commits to ending rocket attacks and an effective mechanism is agreed upon to stop the possibility of Hamas rearming?
Ms Livni wants to stop now, without an agreement. She believes Hamas has learned a lesson and Israel can strike again if rocket attacks resume.
Mr Barak also wants to wind down the military campaign.
The defence minister has been credited, even by his harshest political opponents, of masterminding a meticulously planned military operation, improving on all the areas where the military was lacking in the war against Hizbullah in the summer of 2006.
However, Mr Barak, Israel’s most decorated soldier, knows that continuing the campaign will mean stepping up the offensive, moving deeper into built-up areas and utilising more reservists. A significant increase in Israeli military casualties would be almost inevitable.
He doesn’t want to take the risk, arguing that Israel should quit while on top, and strive for a new, long-term ceasefire with Hamas.
It is outgoing prime minister Ehud Olmert who wants to pursue the campaign until an acceptable ceasefire is brokered by Egypt. Speaking yesterday, he said Israel wants its citizens to live in peace and quiet like residents of Paris and London.
“No more, but no less either. This is not an excessive demand,” he said.
In a minority among the troika, Mr Olmert decided that the decision on whether or not to continue the war will be decided in the wider security cabinet, where he believes he has a majority.