Obama breaks silence on Gaza, voices 'deep concern' over civilian deaths

News Agencies and Haaretz Service ^

[freedom9]

Barack Obama, who takes over as U.S. president from George W. Bush on January 20, broke his silence about the violence in the Gaza Strip on Tuesday, calling the loss of civilian lives in Gaza and in Israel a "source of deep concern for me."

Obama added he would adhere to his principle that only Bush should be the voice of U.S. foreign policy at this time but he would have plenty to say after his inauguration in two weeks.

Nonetheless, Obama said that he is "not backing at all from what I've said during the campaign we're going to engage effectively and consistently in the peace process."

"We've got plenty to say about Gaza, and on January 20, you'll hear directly from me," he added.

Meanwhile, the United States on Tuesday signaled some flexibility over Israel's offensive on the Gaza Strip, saying it would like to see "an immediate ceasefire" but emphasizing any such agreement must be durable, sustainable and indefinite.

U.S. State Department spokesman Sean McCormack also said Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice's trip to the United Nations on Tuesday was designed to show that the United States was open a variety of ways to achieve a cease-fire. "We would like an immediate cease-fire, absolutely," McCormack told reporters, speaking after Israeli tank shells killed at least 40 Palestinians at a United Nations school where civilians had taken shelter. "An immediate cease-fire that is durable, sustainable and not time-limited."

[Army Air Corps]

His mouth moves, but he says nothing.

[freedom9]

Zec 12:9 And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem.

[Paige]

The Empty Suit Strikes again!

[Paige]

That day is at hand...

[Ben Reyes]

That’s it?

Obama: ‘Present!’

[the invisib1e hand]

"source of deep concern for me."

wow. Like, wow.

[nmh]

He's pathetic.

[Centurion2000]

Barack Obama, who takes over as U.S. president from George W. Bush on January 20, broke his silence about the violence in the Gaza Strip on Tuesday, calling the loss of civilian lives in Gaza and in Israel a "source of deep concern for me."

As in "Oh crap, I'm actually going to have to make a DECISION and take a STAND!"

[BAW]

His mouth moves, but he says nothing.

Sure he said something. He said, "I'll tell you later."

Isn't he wonderful?

[spiffy]

Matbe Joe Biden and Colin Powell know something is going to happen and we are going to be “tested” shortly after O assumes command.

[sionnsar]

He voted “Present.”

[Brad’s Gramma]

BTTT

[FMBass]

Obama is a “source of deep concern for me.”

[airborne]

"We've got plenty to say about Gaza, and on January 20, you'll hear directly from me," he added.

I hope Israel is finishing up by then.

[ScreamingFist]

"We've got plenty to say about Gaza, and on January 20, you'll hear directly from me," he added.

Yes, the money quote....

[thackney]

Call me if you need me?

[Phoenix11]

Ditto.

[Syncro]

On the Cavuto show today, Al Sharpton referred to Obama as President Obama.

I think more fitting is Present Obama.

That's all he will ever be even though he will do massive amounts of damage just by being Present Obama.

[misterrob]

Can people please give the guy some credit for keeping his mouth shut? He hasn’t been sworn in and he’s acknowledging that. In this instance it is the proper call.