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Israeli Attacks in Gaza Strip Continue

CitizenSugar — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 09:50:05 -0800

Israeli Attacks in Gaza Strip Continue Israeli airstrikes against Hamas facilities in Gaza continued for a second day on Sunday. The death toll is up to more than 280. It's Israel's most severe campaign against Palestinian militants in decades.

Front Page: Russia Orders Halt to Fighting, More Women in Government, Israel Proposes Deal

CitizenSugar — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 07:01:52 -0700

Russia Orders Halt to Fighting:
Russian President Dmitri Medvedev announced today that he's ordered a halt to the military action in Georgia. He did not say whether the troops are pulling out and was clear that Russian forces are still authorized to fire on enemies. Medvedev said that Russia had achieved its military goals during the five days of intense fighting. Georgia claims that raids are still ongoing despite the official halt.

More Women in Government:
A study has found that the number of women in state government leadership positions is on the rise. The number of women leaders almost matches their representation in the general population in six states. The study's author adds, ''the most important thing is the fact that in 36 of the states, women are doing better than they were in 1997, and by better I mean as a comparison of the percentage of women in leadership posts compared with the percentage of women in the state."
Israel Proposes Deal:
Israel has offered up a peace deal to the Palestinians which would annex 7.3 percent of the West Bank while keeping the largest settlements. The Palestinians would be given in return, 5.4 percent of the West Bank. The Palestinians have not formally received the offer but call it totally unacceptable. About 500,000 Israelis live among 2.5 million Palestinians in land that was occupied by Israel in the 1967 war. The two sides have been in US-sponsored peace talks since November.

Source

Sick? US Hospitals Deport Patients, Israelis Interrogate Them

LibertySugar — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 11:00:54 -0700

Security and financial concerns are preventing some patients' ability to receive medical care both in the US and Palestine.

American hospitals are independently deporting seriously ill or injured undocumented immigrants because of the financial burden, according to an extensive report in the New York Times. Without any intervention of federal or state officials, hospitals privately employ ambulances, air ambulances, or commercial plans to send home immigrants that can't find US nursing homes that will accept them without insurance. Often a death sentence, the only other option to deportation is keeping the immigrants indefinitely in high-cost acute-care treatment.

Across the world in Gaza, Israeli officials are allegedly denying urgent medical care to Palestinians because Gaza residents refuse to spy on their community. To see what those seeking care have to say,

French Jews and Muslims Vow to Stop Conflict by Baking

LibertySugar — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 10:00:40 -0700

In Paris a group of Jewish and Muslim French women get together to bake pastries and not talk about politics in the Middle East. They call themselves Les Bâtisseuses de Paix, or Peace Builders, and they hope to prevent the spread of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to France, where 5 million Muslims and 600,000 Jews live.

The International Herald Tribune profiled the group, whose members say they don't want the problems in the Middle East to ruin their relationships with their neighbors. The women will travel to New York to meet their transatlantic counterparts this fall.

French Jewish and Muslim community leaders alike praise their "courageous work" with one Islamic TV show host saying that their "tenderness and maternal sentiment" make them "the best agents for stopping conflict." But some aren't all that impressed. To see why,

Double Trouble? Israel Might Punish Terrorists' Families

LibertySugar — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 00:00:51 -0700

Recent and shocking attacks by East Jerusalem Palestinians has inspired Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to call for tough action against the families of terrorists.

Hoping to tie the victims' fates to the fate of a terrorist's family, some Israeli officials want to strip the families of their state benefits, or even demolish their homes. One proposal would revoke identity permits or citizenship of those actively affiliated with terrorist organizations, thus cutting off family benefits as well.

Prime Minister thinks these consequences will deter future terrorists, but I think it sounds like a way to create more animosity and thus more violent attacks, especially the call for house demolition. Will this make terrorists think about their families before they act, or compound the problem making reconciliation more elusive?

Source

Fancy First Lady Steals Sarkozy's Mideast Peace Talk Thunder?

LibertySugar — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 10:00:15 -0700

Though his visit ended amid panic, France's Nicolas Sarkozy's first presidential visit to Israel this week made quite an impression. Sarkozy called on the country to stop settlement in the occupied West Bank, saying Mideast peace depends on Israel dropping its refusal to surrender sovereignty over parts of Jerusalem claimed by the Palestinians. As compensation, he assured Israel that it could count on France's support in halting Iran's nuclear program.

Sarkozy praised Israel's democracy and quoted the biblical passage in which God promises the Holy Land to the children of Israel, drawing a mixed review of applause and scowls (from the handful of Arab members). Speaking to parliament he said:

"There cannot be peace without an immediate and complete halt to settlement," he said. "There cannot be peace without recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of two states and the guarantee of free access to the holy places for all religions."

Sarkozy's address follows fluffy weekend coverage of his arrival by the country's newspapers that seemed more preoccupied with his Italian singer First Lady Carla Bruni than his agenda. According to the AP, the front pages of Monday's newspapers were filled with pictures of a smiling Carla "overshadowing her husband." For a preview of their coverage,

Front Page: Attack Threatens Cease-fire, Clinton Back to Work, Germany Sending More Troops

CitizenSugar — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 06:56:44 -0700

Attack Threatens Cease-fire: Two Palestinian rockets struck southern Israel moments ago, prompting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's office says the week-old cease-fire has been broken. The first rockets fired since the truce hit an open area leaving no injuries. As of yet, there has been no word as to how Israel will react, nor any claims of responsibility. The attack occurred hours after Israeli troops killed two Palestinians in a West Bank raid. Though the West Bank is not formally included in the Gaza truce, the Israeli raid could be perceived as violating the spirit of the cease-fire.

Clinton Back to Work: US Senator Hillary Clinton is heading back to work today, a return to congressional politics for the first time since conceding to Obama nearly three weeks ago. Her return to the chamber today comes before her first joint appearances with White House contender Barack Obama, expected later this week. On Sunday, Clinton told a high-school graduating class in New York that meeting thousands of people across the nation during her primary campaign had been an "extraordinary experience."
Germany Sending More Troops: Germany is preparing to send 1,000 more soldiers to serve with the NATO-led peace-keeping force in Afghanistan. The US urged Germany to send more troops in February, and NATO allies have pushed for a boost in deployment to southern Afghanistan, the heart of the Taliban insurgency. Most of Germany's 3,500 troops are already based in northern Afghanistan and around the capital, Kabul. The UN has just announced that the Taliban made an about $100 million in 2007 from Afghan farmers growing poppy for the opium trade, producing about 8,000 tons of opium.

Under Gaza: Tunneling Through Sand for Food, Weapons, Oil

LibertySugar — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 03:00:46 -0700

Gaza residents are tunneling through sand, in their latest attempt to withstand the Israeli blockade of the region. Israel has shut off access to the Gaza strip, in response to attacks and in an attempt to put pressure on Hamas.

The tunnels bring electricity, phone lines, cigarettes, food, petrol, and weapons. The more secretly located Hamas-controlled tunnels carry weapons of unknown caliber. The tunnelers, or "snake heads," give the local authorities a cut of their contraband profits, to help them look the other way.

The intricate tunnel networks are no secret to Israeli officials, who have implored Egypt to do more to end their existence. But according to reports, Egypt does pump water or worse, poisonous gas, through discovered tunnels, with deadly results. Just last week one tunnel did collapse, perhaps due to Egyptians pumping in water to weaken it. A man died during the collapse and had to be dragged out of the tunnels by his feet, 24 hours later.

One of the "snake heads" says, "constructing them is the worst job in the world," but the money keeps many going until they perish. Do tunnelers dig and transport at their own risk, or does Israel's policy bear some responsibility for the deaths that result from trying to secure essentials like food and electricity?

Source

Front Page: Hillary To Drop Out, 9/11 Tribunal, Abbas to Meet With Hamas

CitizenSugar — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 07:00:36 -0700

Hillary To Drop Out: Hillary Clinton will endorse Barack Obama on Saturday, ending her 17-month campaign for the White House, according to aides. Her decision was influenced by Democrats' urges to leave the race and allow the party to come together around Obama. She is going to express support for Obama and party unity at an event in Washington, June 7. One adviser hinted that Clinton would concede defeat, congratulate Obama, and proclaim him the party’s nominee— looking forward to do what was needed to assure his victory in November. Obama told reporters of his plans for Clinton, “we’re going to have a conversation in the coming weeks.”

9/11 Tribunal: Five top alleged al Qaeda prisoners, including September 11 mastermind suspect Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, began appearances before a military commission this morning after extended time in CIA prisons and battles over the court itself. All the defendants were just arraigned before a military court at Guantanamo — all five are accused roles in the 9/11 attacks, responsible for the death of nearly 3,000 people. They all face potential death sentences if convicted. Mohammed has been forthright with his involvement — in a written statement read at a March 2007 hearing, at which he was present, he said he was responsible for the attacks "from A to Z."
Abbas to Meet With Hamas: Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian president called late yesterday for a resumption of dialogue with the Islamic militant group Hamas. In a short address, Abbas, expressed the plan as part of his desire to restore national unity. Hamas took control of Gaza in June 2007. The move could halt peace talks with Israel, who only met with Abbas after he broke away from Hamas. Israel has refused to have direct contact with the group, considering it a terrorist organization, and has threatened to cut off talks with Mr. Abbas if he rejoins forces with Hamas.

US Revokes Fulbrights Because of Israel's Blockade of Gaza

LibertySugar — Fri, 30 May 2008 12:15:51 -0700

Israel's isolation of the Gaza strip has prompted the US State Department to withdraw all Fulbright grants to Palestinian students. Because only those with the most urgent medical needs can leave the Hamas-run region, American officials are worried that their educational funding will be wasted on those that will not be able to leave to attend American institutions.

Fulbrights, educational grants awarded by the US government, fund international educational exchange, in order to foster mutual understanding between Americans and citizens of other countries.

One shocked Palestinian scholar views the decision as counterproductive to American and Israeli goals, as well as ultimate peace. To see what he told the New York Times and to find out if there is any possibility that visas will be granted,