Israel: No Gaza Withdrawal Before U.S. Elections

[wicket]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=535&ncid=535&e=3&u=/ap/20040305/ap_on_re_mi_ea/israel_palestinians_5

Israel will wait until after the U.S. presidential election in November to withdraw troops from the Gaza Strip (news - web sites), a security official said Friday, while soldiers sealed the West Bank and Gaza Strip amid new warnings of attacks by Palestinian militants.

The moves came as an Israeli newspaper released a poll that put Prime Minister Ariel Sharon (news - web sites)'s approval rating at its lowest since he took office in 2001. For the first time, a majority of Israelis said he should resign, the poll said.

The poll in the Yediot Ahronot daily said 57 percent of Israelis believed Sharon was not trustworthy. That appeared to be a reflection of public displeasure about Sharon's alleged links to a growing number of scandals.

Israeli Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz decided not to withdraw troops from the Gaza Strip before U.S. presidential elections in November and will brief U.S. officials on his position during a trip to Washington next week, a security official said on condition of anonymity.

[dennis4868]

1. WTF?

When will the media and the rest of the country pick up on this and figure out what Bush is all about....he is about getting re-elected....NOTHING ELSE. Everything is politized...911 commission, WMD commission, and now this. This is sickening. When will the media get angry and see the light?

[wicket]

2. it's disgusting!

And why should our elections decide when they pull out of Gaza??

[The Stranger]

3. Which U.S. elections? The ones in 2008? 2012?

Maybe 2016.

[wicket]

4. From the first line of the article

Israel will wait until after the U.S. presidential election in November

[The Stranger]

5. November of 2008? November of 2016?

November of 2032?

[wicket]

6. why don't you tell me?

[The Stranger]

7. Wish I knew.

[wicket]

9. ahhhhh, ok I see what you mean now! :)

Sorry 'bout that

[leesa]

8. As though they plan to withdraw. LOL

[KenLayedOff]

10. new warnings of attacks by Palestinian militants

That is reason enough to keep troops there. I'm not clear on why the election has anything to do with Israel keeping their guard up against those out to do them harm.

[The Stranger]

11. Hmmm. Connection? Keeping the troops there and those out to do harm.

Occu . . . Occup . . . Occupa . . . Occupation!

Watson, I've got it!