Video: ‘Closed Zone’ Gives Some Insight Into Affect on Innocents of Israeli Blockade of Gaza

A clever, 90 second animated short by Yoni Goodman, animation director for Waltz with Bashir.  For more information on Israel’s closure of Gaza border crossings go here.

Video: Gorenberg – Frum Debate Israeli Settlements

Just found Bloggingheads.tv, it’s way cool:

First BS of Obama Presidency: Won’t ‘Speculate’ on Who in Mideast Has Nukes

I think Helen Thomas just put herself back into the wilderness with another White House Press Office.  She asked the one tough question at tonight’s press conference that had President Barack Obama bullshitting us all from here to Jerusalem.

Her question (emphasis mine):

Mr. President, do you think that Pakistan and — are maintaining the safe havens in Afghanistan for these so-called terrorists? And, also, do you know of any country in the Middle East that has nuclear weapons?

His Answer:

With respect to nuclear weapons, you know, I don’t want to speculate. What I know is this: that if we see a nuclear arms race in a region as volatile as the Middle East, everybody will be in danger.

Thomas tried to follow-up, but Obama was too quick.  Well, readers, if you didn’t know, Israel has nuclear weapons.  I know, it’s hard to believe.  When the Israelis aren’t treating the native Palestinian population like a modern version of Wounded Knee, they’re stockpiling nukes.  President Obama knows darn well they’ve got nukes.  An otherwise brilliant man looked silly tonight saying, “I don’t want to speculate.”

Here’s some speculation early on for the latest president who pledges to bring peace to the Mideast:  Nobody’s getting anywhere over there as an honest broker if they continue to pretend Israel does no wrong.  If, as a nation, we can’t even admit that our friend has nukes, how do you expect to overcome the Arab sense that the game is forever rigged in favor of the Israelis?

Here’s hoping this wasn’t a foretaste of more half-assed U.S. diplomacy.

Transcript: Barack Obama Interview on al-Aribiya (UAE TV)

(Source: al-Aribiya)

The following is a full transcript of Hisham Melhem’s interview with President Obama on Al Arabiya TV:

Q: Mr. President, thank you for this opportunity, we really appreciate it.

THE PRESIDENT: Thank you so much.

Q: Sir, you just met with your personal envoy to the Middle East, Senator Mitchell. Obviously, his first task is to consolidate the cease-fire. But beyond that you’ve been saying that you want to pursue actively and aggressively peacemaking between the Palestinians and the Israelis. Tell us a little bit about how do you see your personal role, because, you know, if the President of the United States is not involved, nothing happens – as the history of peace making shows. Will you be proposing ideas, pitching proposals, parameters, as one of your predecessors did? Or just urging the parties to come up with their own resolutions, as your immediate predecessor did?

THE PRESIDENT: Well, I think the most important thing is for the United States to get engaged right away. And George Mitchell is somebody of enormous stature. He is one of the few people who have international experience brokering peace deals.

And so what I told him is start by listening, because all too often the United States starts by dictating — in the past on some of these issues –and we don’t always know all the factors that are involved. So let’s listen. He’s going to be speaking to all the major parties involved. And he will then report back to me. From there we will formulate a specific response.

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Israeli Ceasefire In Effect in Gaza

Apparently, Israel’s disproportionate civilian killing spree is over … for now.

News Roundup:

• Israel will declare cease-fire; Hamas to fight on – New York Times
• Israel, Hamas hold fire for now in Gaza – Reuters
• Analysis: Israel declares victory in Gaza, but at what cost? – Haaretz
• Israeli PM says goals met – Jerusalem Post
• Olmert announces Gaza ceasefire – al-Jazeera
• Palestinians fear ‘crazy’ parting raids – Times of London

Bush Administration Got One Right with Rebuff of Israeli Requests for Aid to Attack Iran

The New York Times is reporting that Israel asked the U.S. for special munitions and overflight privileges over Iraq last year in either an effort to launch its own raid against Iranian nuclear sites or to goad the Bush Administration in taking an offensive action against Iran before the expiration of George W. Bush’s term.  According to the Times report, the Israelis were refused on both accounts, but an increase in intelligence has begun with respect to Iran.

At some point, perhaps in the near future, a U.S. president will have to make the decision on whether or not to take out Iranian nuclear sites.  Let’s say it’s a given that a nuclear-armed Iran is untenable.  If the U.S. is to be involved at all in removing such a capability were it to exist, the worst thing we could do is to aid any Israeli effort to take out Iranian nuclear sites.  If and when action is taken it needs to be either the Americans or the Israelis, preferably the Americans who make the move.

The Middle East is enflamed enough with anti-Israeli and anti-American sentiments that we don’t need to tie ourselves any more than necessary to the Israeli millstone.

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Text: UN Security Council Resolution 1860 – Israeli Incursion Into Gaza

(Source: United Nations Security Council)

Resolution 1860 (2009)

Adopted by the Security Council at its 6063rd meeting, on 8 January 2009

The Security Council,
Recalling all of its relevant resolutions, including resolutions 242 (1967), 338
(1973), 1397 (2002), 1515 (2003) and 1850 (2008),

Stressing that the Gaza Strip constitutes an integral part of the territory
occupied in 1967 and will be a part of the Palestinian state,

Emphasizing the importance of the safety and well-being of all civilians,

Expressing grave concern at the escalation of violence and the deterioration of
the situation, in particular the resulting heavy civilian casualties since the refusal to
extend the period of calm; and emphasizing that the Palestinian and Israeli civilian
populations must be protected,

Expressing grave concern also at the deepening humanitarian crisis in Gaza,

Emphasizing the need to ensure sustained and regular flow of goods and
people through the Gaza crossings,

Recognizing the vital role played by UNRWA in providing humanitarian and
economic assistance within Gaza,

Recalling that a lasting solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict can only be
achieved by peaceful means,

Reaffirming the right of all States in the region to live in peace within secure
and internationally recognized borders,

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Transcript: Sen. Harry Reid on Meet the Press | Israel, Roland Burris, The Economy | Sunday, January 4

(Source: NBC’s Meet the Press)

MR. GREGORY: And here with us now, the Senate majority leader, Harry Reid.

Welcome back to MEET THE PRESS and happy New Year.

SEN. HARRY REID (D-NV): Thank you very much.

MR. GREGORY: Let me ask you about the ground invasion into Gaza.  Do you think on the part of this Israeli–of the Israelis this was offensive or defensive?

SEN. REID: I spoke to Prime Minister Olmert a couple of days ago.  He indicated that they would do the ground activities.  Let’s understand the background.  For eight years they’ve been firing rockets into Israel.  They’ve become more intense the last few months.  Israelis have been killed, maimed and injured.  Sometimes more than 200 a day coming into Israel.  If this were going on in the United States from Vancouver, Canada, into Seattle, would we react?  Course we do.  We would have to.  I think what the Israelis are doing is very important.  I think this terrorist organization, Hamas, has got to be put away.  They’ve got to come to their senses.  The Fatah group, which is–makes up part of Palestinian group, has a peace arrangement with Israel. Hamas should do the same.

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Israeli-Gaza Update Sunday a.m. | Ground War | Jan. 4

• Israeli troops bisect Gaza – New York Times
• Israeli Govt: No intention of taking over Gaza – Jerusalem Post
• Civilians die in Gaza fighting – al-Jazeera
• Civilian toll rises; operation could take days – Reuters
• Bodies of Hamas leader’s children paraded – Daily Mail (U.K.)
• Egypt condemns Gaza attack – Bloomberg
• Gaza attacks further split Arab rulers, people – Washington Post
• Analysis: Invasion a double-edged sword – Washington Post

Israeli Ground War Begins in Gaza Strip – Newsclips

• Israeli ground troops enter Gaza – al Jazeera
• At least 30 Hamas gunmen dead so far in Israeli ground incursion – Jerusalem Post
• Israeli tanks, soldiers invade Gaza – Reuters
• Israeli tanks roll into Gaza to crush Hamas – Times of London
• Israelis launch Gaza ground war – New York Times
• Analysis: End the rockets or Hamas? – New York Times

Transcript: President George W. Bush Radio Address | Gaza Crisis Fault of Hamas | January 2-3, 2009

(Source: White House Press Office, Radio Address to be Broadcast Saturday, January 3)

THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. Over the past week, I have been monitoring the situation in the Middle East closely with the members of my national security team. Secretary Rice is actively engaged in diplomacy. And I’ve been in contact with leaders throughout the region — including the King of Saudi Arabia, the King of Jordan, the President of Egypt, the President and Prime Minister of the Palestinian Territories, and the Prime Minister of Israel.

This recent outburst of violence was instigated by Hamas — a Palestinian terrorist group supported by Iran and Syria that calls for Israel’s destruction. Eighteen months ago, Hamas took over the Gaza Strip in a coup, and since then has imported thousands of guns and rockets and mortars. Egypt brokered a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel, but Hamas routinely violated that ceasefire by launching rockets into Israel. On December 19th, Hamas announced an end to the ceasefire and soon unleashed a barrage of rockets and mortars that deliberately targeted innocent Israelis — an act of terror that is opposed by the legitimate leader of the Palestinian people, President Abbas.

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News Update: Israeli Attacks on Gaza Going on One Week; Tanks, Troops Mass on Border

• Israelis worry Dimona nuke facility in range of Hamas rockets – Times of London
• Tank crews on border await orders to move in – Bloomberg
• How Hamas is altering Israeli politics - Christian Science Monitor
• Israel kills top Hamas leader Rayyan – Jerusalem Post
• Top Hamas leader & family killed by Israelis – al-Jazeera
• IDF strikes Holfe Mosque – Jerusalem Post
• Egypt FM: Hamas gave reason for Israel to attack – Haaretz
• Israel pursues diplomacy but presses attack – New York Times

Video: Meet the Press | December 28 | Livni, Axelrod & Predictions from Panel

Transcript: David Axelrod on ‘Meet the Press’ | December 28, 2008

(Source: NBC’s Meet the Press)

MR. GREGORY:  And turning back home, we are now joined from Chicago by senior adviser to President-elect Obama, David Axelrod.  Welcome back to MEET THE PRESS.

MR. DAVID AXELROD:  Thanks, David.  Good to be here.

MR. GREGORY:  What is the president-elect’s position on this offensive against Gaza by Israel?

MR. AXELROD:  Well, obviously, it’s a very serious situation.  He spent some time on the phone with Secretary Rice yesterday, and he is monitoring the situation.  But we’ve said repeatedly through this transition period that we–there’s only one president at a time, and President Bush speaks for the United States of America until January 20th, and we’re going to honor that moving forward.

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Transcript: Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni on Meet the Press | December 28, 2008

(Source: NBC’s Meet the Press)

MR. DAVID GREGORY:  … But first, an Israeli air offensive against Hamas in Gaza has entered its second day.  So far some 280 Palestinians have been killed and 600 wounded in the largest Gaza operation since 1967.  This morning Israel is taking steps that could lead to a ground invasion, amassing tanks on the Gaza border and calling up army reservists.  In response, Hamas has promised a new wave of suicide bombing attacks against Israel.  A short while ago, after an emergency Cabinet meeting in Jerusalem, I spoke with Israel’s foreign minister, Tzipi Livni, and asked her how long the offensive would last.

MS. TZIPI LIVNI:  Until we can, until we can change realities on the ground. The situation is a situation in which Israeli citizens are targeted from Gaza Strip, a place that we left few years ago in order to create a new horizon for peace.  But we got Hamas in return. Read more