News and Analysis (10/4/07)

The latest details of the Justice Department’s complicity of sanctioning torture reveal secret re-endorsement of brutal interrogation tactics again in 2005 under AG Gonzales after effectively banning it under acting AG Jack Goldsmith in 2004:

• Secret U.S. Endorsement of Severe Interrogations (New York Times) 

While three Anglican bishops go public with a private letter sent to PM Gordon Brown urging him to put pressure on Israel to stop the “segregation wall” and its economic damage against Palestinians, Israel and the Palestinian Authority will start drafting their positions on key issues, but without Hamas’ involvement: 

• Bishops’ Warning Over Middle East (BBC News) 

• Palestinians Struggle in Dire Straits (BBC News) 

• Israelis, Palestinians To Draft Declaration (Washington Post) 

Republicans use infamous smear job against local Muslim leader Esam Omeish for partisan purpose of scoring points with voters in the upcoming state elections: 

• Republicans Seize on Muslim Appointment (Washington Post) 

Middle Eastern and Muslim Hollywood actors are faced with a tough choice between play the role of a terrorist or having no job at all, while a film contest begins for the best short movie that tells of Muslim Americans’ experiences: 

• More Work, One Role For Arab Actors (Los Angeles Times) 

• Contest Opens for American Muslim Films (Associated Press/Washington Post)

Alejandro

Alejandro Beutel is program assistant for the Minaret of Freedom Institute with expertise in religious freedom, democratization and security issues.