The
Washington Note reported a rumor regarding a phone call between Condoleeza Rice and the Israeli Prime Minister's office in which Condoleeza made a strong request for restraint. It was then rumored that the Prime Minister's office responded by telling Condi, flatly, to
"Back off!".
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.
...
In an article I just previously posted about Bush
rejecting Lebanon's call for a cease-fire, I found this little part somewhat interesting, especially with the rumor that started to circulate.
...Hezbollah is an Iranian-backed militant Shiite faction which has a free hand in southern Lebanon and holds seats in parliament. The Lebanese government has no control over Hezbollah but has long resisted international pressure to forcibly disarm the group for fears of igniting sectarian conflict.
Bush has not spoken with Israeli leaders, but Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice called Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Snow said. Snow did not provide details of the conversation.
...
Sure. It's speculation, and perhaps a stretch just going by that little bit. But certainly, what amounts to a quick and rude brushing off of Condoleeza Rice by Olmert would certainly be embarrassing to Condi and something the White House would probably rather not talk about anymore.
Yeah, it's probably just a small potatoes blip anyway but interesting to point out, nonetheless.