“…and now it is up to the world, and particularly the Obama administration, to respond.”

No it is not. The world and Obama should keep their snouts out of Israel. The Israelis have elected the people they want; and they certainly don’t want ‘peace-makers’. They want people who will get on with the job of doing themselves and the rest of the world a favour: wiping out Hamas terrorists.

The elections are “devastating” only to the likes of this author, who is a bit like the dead Australian Democrats, telling voters they don’t know what they are doing.

Yes, there are few peacemakers in Israel's Knesset, because that is the way Israel has become with America nursing her.

But of course, the main problem is that America has not only been protecting what has become a nasty little Israel, but has deliberately knocked out any multilaterism that was the idea of a UN in the first place.

"The world and Obama should keep their snouts out of Israel. The Israelis have elected the people they want.."

The people in Gaza also elected the people they wanted too.

These two group just hate each other, that is why they do not want peace with each other. Both have elected for extremist to do their deeds

Isreal is supported by all the Jews around the world. Hamas is supported by Iran and other Muslim nations

It is really time for the rest of the world to step in.

Yes, Dovit, but how are we to know who's honest these days, even with Obama, who still has to run the big global test gauntlet?

Don't know whether to get down on my knees, or curse and
swear to the Heavens.

Oh for multipolarity with really no one in charge but a book showing the true rudiments of decent democratic commonsense.

Cheers, BB, WA.

Maybe, seeing Israel is very reliant on it's major ally, the USA, for US tax-payer funded discounts on military hardware and other generous forms of US aid, President Obama is entitled to put his "snout" in israel's affairs.

Perhaps even more so, given the possible ramifications of a blow-out in the Middle East, should Israel continue with it's insane threats to nuke Iran. Such a move by the majority of Hawks in Knesset would not only threatening Middle Eastern security, but cause a lot of problems farther afield.

Should Israel go ahead with its plan, it would very quickly be looking for the USA to underwrite its expedition. It is doubtful Israel could succeed without strong US support, maybe even direct military involvement.

Once again, it is hard to argue teh USA should keep its snout out and just allow Israel carte' blanch.

It is this writer's view that whilst the Hawks prevail in BOTH the Knesset and Hamas, there is little chance of peace. Someone, somewhere has to bring these war-mongers to their senses. If it falls to Obama, then so be it. Bring It On, I say, for the sakes of all the innocents being slaughtered on both sides, and the rest of the world.