Rival Israeli Pols Gain From Gaza Attack

Offensive could make or break the election for leaders who planned it
By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff
Posted Dec 31, 2008 8:04 AM CST
Rival Israeli Pols Gain From Gaza Attack
Kadima party leader Tzipi Livni, left, Likud party leader Benjamin Netanyahu, center, and Labor Party leader Ehud Barak attend a conference in Tel Aviv, Israel, Monday, Dec. 15, 2008    (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)

An uneasy triumvirate of Israeli politicians united to plan the offensive against Gaza, the Washington Post reports. Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni and Defense Minister Ehud Barak, who will compete to become prime minister in February's election, both want to convince the electorate they can successfully defend Israel. For outgoing PM Ehud Olmert, who resigned under pressure from a corruption scandal, the offensive could be the last chance to leave a positive legacy.

Another candidate, hardliner Benjamin Netanyahu, opened up a wide lead before the offensive with a promise to take firm action against Hamas. That lead has now shrunk and analysts believe the decision to strike at Gaza will continue paying political dividends—if it manages to halt Hamas rocket attacks. Palestinian leaders, meanwhile, say that their people always suffer from Israeli shows of strength ahead of elections.
(More Ehud Olmert stories.)

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