US president-elect Barack Obama’s silence on the situation in Gaza is worrying all those who have been pinning their hopes on him to rescue the Middle East from another round of armed conflicts and move in the direction of peace.

Obama has not said a word about the Israeli aggression against Gaza and many observers are beginning to wonder where the new US president stands on the Palestinian question.

It is difficult to believe that US President George W. Bush would have gone to such length in supporting the Israeli attacks on the strip without having received a nod of approval from Obama. Bush’s days at the White House are numbered and he must be in constant touch with Obama on major events in the world.

If fears that the new US administration will continue on the path of the incumbent’s are confirmed, the Middle East’s efforts to bring peace to the region are doomed.

The least the Arab world expects from Obama is to hear him speak out against the unremitting Israeli bombardment of Palestinian infrastructure, including hospitals, schools, mosques, houses and government buildings, and against the civilian population.

When Bush moved to rescue the US auto industry, he consulted Obama first and received his blessings. There is, therefore, every reason to believe that Bush has not only notified Obama about the recent escalation in Gaza Strip but has also consulted him on the policy the US wishes to pursue.

Obama has to pronounce himself on the situation in Gaza as soon as possible, because in less than two weeks, he becomes the commander-in-chief in Washington. This is no time for silence. This is a time to tell Israel that enough is enough, and have it retreat from Gaza as soon as possible.

A more proactive international profile in the ongoing onslaught on Gaza is also urgently needed. This can be given expression when the UN Security Council is able to reach consensus on how to deal with this Israeli threat to international peace and stability.

The world has kept silent for too long.