Post date: Nov 22, 2012 6:52:57 PM
After the declaration of a tense truce, Israelis say Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu looks likely win the coming elections.
JERUSALEM (NOVEMBER 21, 2012) (REUTERS) - As the fog of war clears over the latest Israel-Gaza dispute, Israelis voiced on Thursday (November 22) their support for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, saying they believe he will emerge even stronger than before in the coming elections.
The Israel-Hamas truce is approaching its 24th hour, both sides declaring victory over the other. Political analyst Amotz Asael said that Netanyahu definitely emerged victorious in political terms."Benjamin Netanyahu emerges as a winner, not so much in terms of the international system but in term of the Israeli system, because this was, oddly enough, the first time in his accumulative 5 years as a prime minister, the first time that he actually led Israelinto battle. The general way in which he conducted this was consensual, very consensual, and also conscious. In other words he ultimately avoided the big adventure that was plausible and that many demanded of him to embark on. I therefore think that he is to emerge as a winner," said Asael.
In Tel Aviv, which suffered several rocket attacks and a bus-bombing last week, residents expressed their appreciation for the current leadership and Netanyahu, known universally in Israel by his childhood nickname 'Bibi'.
"I think that the whole management of this mini-war that there was now in the south, was exemplary. There was a feeling, for me, at least, and for my friends, that there isn't much idle talk, that it was managed in a smart, level-headed way. You can see that previous lessons have been learned. I think that if the man's (the Israeli Prime Minister's) name wasn't Bibi, then he would have been praised all around the world," said Avraham Peso, a Tel Aviv resident.
Another Tel Aviv resident, Daniel Yassman, quantified how the success in the operation will translate into more votes for Netanyahu.
"I think it (the operation) will give Bibi four-five more members of parliament. And Barak, which I personally don't like him so much, he will be the next defence ministry, even without passing the percentage of election," said Yassman.
Israel had launched its strikes last week with a declared aim of ending rocket attacks on its territory from Gaza, ruled by the Islamist militant group Hamas which denies Israel's right to exist. Hamas had responded with more rockets.
The truce brokered by Egypt's new Islamist government, working with the United States, prevented - at least for now - an Israeli invasion of Gaza.
Gaza medical officials said 162 Palestinians, more than half of them civilians including 37 children, were killed in the conflict. Nearly 1,400 rockets were fired into Israel, killing four civilians and two soldiers, including an officer who died on Thursday of wounds sustained on Wednesday, the Israeli army said.