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Sarkozy wants more By Anshel Pfeffer Tags: israel news, sarkozy, UN It's hard to figure out whether the fact the Czech Republic replaced France as the president of the European Union on January 1 was a consideration in determining the timing of the Gaza operation. One way or another, the French president looks like someone incapable of forgiving Israel for not moving up the operation by two or three weeks. The Czechs infuriate Nicolas Sarkozy, who will arrive today in Israel leading a delegation alongside a separate EU delegation led by Czech Foreign Minister Karel Schwarzenberg. Not only did the Czech government's pro-American stance make it amenable to stationing an American anti-missile radar system on its soil; not only did Czech President Vaclav Klaus oppose the ratification of the Treaty of Lisbon that aims to reform the European Union (prompting Sarkozy to propose that France retain some key EU presidential posts for six months). Now the Czechs display gall in expressing a pro-Israel stance, terming the Gaza operation "defensive", while other senior members of the union - especially France - were quick to condemn and demand a cease-fire. It is no wonder that Sarkozy is having difficulty parting ways with the EU presidency. He fell in love with his image as a super-statesman who forced a cease-fire on Georgia (and on Condoleezza Rice), ending the war in the southern Caucasus last August. This agreement has yet to produce a withdrawal of Russian forces from the country. He is now determined to duplicate his success in Gaza. From his standpoint, this is a golden opportunity to shepherd a European policy in the twilight period between the Bush administration and the swearing in of Barack Obama. Advertisement In addition, his two main rivals in the EU are neutralized. Germany, because of its past, is incapable of fostering a diplomatic process that includes putting pressure on Israel. In Britain, a sense of missed opportunity is palpable. After its government invested money and effort in aiding the Palestinian economy and the regime of Mahmoud Abbas over the last two years - in addition to leading a number of diplomatic and economic initiatives against the settlements in recent months - the current crisis caught it off guard. The British hoped to assume the role of Obama's main partner when the new president kicked off his Middle East diplomatic push, and now they have simply turned into sideline observers. Statements by Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Foreign Minister David Miliband in response to the Gaza operation are seen as devoid of influence, and the voice of former prime minister Tony Blair, the Quartet's envoy to the Middle East, hasn't been heard since the start of the operation. Brown barely hid his frustration when he told The Observer newspaper in an interview that "Tony's on holiday at the moment." Even the British media is losing interest in what is happening in Israel. London is indeed the setting for Europe's most stormy anti-Israel demonstrations - tens of thousands of Muslim and leftist protesters recently descended on Trafalgar Square - but the top headlines in the papers continued to revolve around the economic crisis. France, which sees itself as the European Union's most senior member, is dissatisfied, to say the least, that a tiny, pro-American country is now assuming the stature it boasted until a week ago. The arrival of the two delegations to Jerusalem reflects these divisions. Bookmark to del.icio.us   Haute advice Sarkozy tells Peres IDF Gaza op does not strengthen Abbas. W speaks Bush says Israel has right to protect itself against Gaza attacks.   1.   sarko wants more 13:06  |  elliot 05/01/09

Read & React Amos Harel and Avi Issacharoff: How much time does the IDF have left in Gaza? Responses: 70 Sarkozy: Hamas to blame for suffering of Palestinians in Gaza Responses: 47 Amira Hass: Wounded Gaza family lay bleeding for 20 hours Responses: 78 'We lost our homes for nothing,' says reservist from former Gaza settlement Responses: 59 Amir Oren: What's happening in Gaza is neither war nor occupation Responses: 33 More Headlines 22:40 Israeli troops trade heavy fire with Hamas gunmen in northern Gaza 23:51 Sarkozy tells Peres: IDF Gaza operation does not strengthen Abbas 23:53 Bush: Israel has right to protect itself against Gaza attacks 23:00 Demonstrators cry 'nuke Israel,' carry Hezbollah flags at U.S. anti-Israel rallies 23:52 Two Israelis wounded by Gaza mortars in western Negev 21:05 U.S. to foil any Arab bid to push Security Council resolution for Gaza cease-fire 23:51 Gaza War Diary III: If Mexico shelled Texas, like Hamas shells Israel 22:30 Iran: We have 70,000 suicide bombers ready to strike Israel 23:51 Israel arrests newsman with Iranian TV for prematurely reporting on IDF entry into Gaza 20:19 ANALYSIS / Egypt emerges as big winner from Gaza crisis 18:20 Get up to the minute coverage of the warfare in Gaza directly to your email 18:21 PICTURE GALLERY / Gaza incursion sparks protests around world 23:10 Amira Hass / For 48 hours, gunbattles kept wounded Gaza family from medical aid 16:35 Livni: Israel will no longer show restraint when attacked 21:42 Over 2,000 take to streets of Haifa to protest IDF Gaza operation 21:17 The Guardian publishes obituary of Hamas terror chieftain killed by IAF 18:22 IDF shell kills Palestinian family of seven near Gaza City 18:21 Mauritania recalls ambassador from Israel in wake of Gaza offensive 13:40 Court orders home of Jerusalem yeshiva terrorist sealed off 14:37 Hamas official: We must lay foundation for a tomorrow without Zionists 21:02 ANALYSIS / How much time is left for the IDF to operate in Gaza? 14:51 Netivot mayor demands to have pre-school centers in bomb shelters 16:58 9/11 plotter ordered bombing of Tunisia synagogue, French prosecutors say Previous Editions Select Day 05 jan 04 jan 02 jan 01 jan 31 dec 30 dec 29 dec 28 dec 26 dec 25 dec 24 dec 23 dec

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