Rumor: Israel Tells Condi Rice to "Back Off"

[blitzen]

http://www.thewashingtonnote.com/archives/001533.php

<<<<Although I do not have independent confirmation, I heard the rumor from a well-placed source that Secretary of State Rice attempted to increase pressure on Israel to stand down and to demonstrate "restraint". The rumor is that she was told flatly by the Prime Minister's office to "back off".

Rice is not one to be told to back off without the other party paying a price. Israel's outrageous, over-the-top military escalations were exactly what the most militarist fanatics of Hamas wanted and exactly what Hezbollah wanted to prompt. Those in the middle of the extremists on all sides are getting crushed.

And it may take this kind of out of control danger that FINALLY wakes up some tough-minded strategists in the White House, Defense Department, and State Department to compel Israel to back off and all other parties to wind down their militant elements.

Note to George W. Bush, please call your father, James Baker and Brent Scowcroft for some advice. Also, get Elliott Abrams to recuse himself NOW from any further counsel on these matters as his perspective is too close to Israel -- and dispassionate counsel is needed.

More later.

-- Steve Clemons>>>>

[Poll_Blind]

1. When Rice calls now, Tzipi Livni just lets the phone ring. n/t

PB

[OrangeCountyDemocrat]

2. Isn't That A Rightwing Site?

Washington Note, should we believe anything that comes from them?

[blitzen]

3. no, it's pretty clearly a left-wing site...

the guy's gonna be a guest on AAR tonight, with juan cole

[JuniperLea]

4. Warmongerleeza Rice? Tells them to stand down?

Pft. I'm sure she's damp to toss the first bomb.

[Deja Q]

5. Condi! Told Israel to back down?!

Forgive me, but I think that's a good thing.

If true.

[Baconfoot]

6. This is a good rumor for her if she is running for President.

Maybe I should start going to church.

[Chipper Chat]

7. You sure the Prime Minister said "BACK off?"

and not, well...you know.

[insane_cratic_gal]

8. Rice is just doing the administrations bidding

She's has no power to threaten Israel and she knows it. Her threats would be weak even if she could find the wits to say them

This Admin is in bed with Israel, that's why they want it to stop. Makes their ME plan of peace go right out the shitter(of course I think that happened MArch 2003) but what do I know.

[madmark]

9. dad and brent scowcroft have been needed since 2002; but i don't

think their advice would be as rapture-friendly as Bush II would like.