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.

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

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: Obama Presser – Economy, Panetta, Middle East | January 6, 2009

(Source: CQ TranscriptsWire)

SPEAKER: PRESIDENT-ELECT BARACK OBAMA

[*] OBAMA: When the American people spoke last November, they were demanding change, change in policies that helped deliver the worst economic crisis that we’ve seen since the Great Depression, but they’re also looking for a change in the way that Washington does business. They were demanding that we restore a sense of responsibility and prudence to how we’d run our government.

One of the measures of irresponsibility that we’ve seen is the enormous federal debt that has accumulated, a number that has doubled in recent years. As we just discussed, my budget team filled me in on — Peter Orszag now forecasts that, at the current course and speed, a trillion-dollar deficit will be here before we even start the next budget, that we’ve already looked — we’re already looking at a trillion-dollar budget deficit or close to a trillion-dollar budget deficit, and that potentially we’ve got trillion-dollar deficits for years to come, even with the economic recovery that we are working on at this point.

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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

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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