News and Analysis (01/09/09)

In the face of IDF harassment …

•  United Nations Halts Relief Work in Gaza (Christian Science Monitor)

…while the government continues to ignore the demands of the international community:

• Israel Rejects U.N. Cease-Fire Resolution (Washington Post)

The Palestinian ministry of health reports “about 42% of the casualties have been children”:

• Israel Shelled Palestinians After Evacuating Them, UN Says (Guardian)

Petraeus emphasizes the need for economic, diplomatic development, warning against a troop surge as the only initiative:

• Major Push Is Needed to Save Afghanistan, General Says (NY Times)

“If the borders were consistently open, there would be no tunnels. We are not rats.” -Abdul Qadir Yassin, a Palestinian historian:

• Rafah: A Border Town Caught Between Egypt and Hamas (Christian Science Monitor)

By abstaining, US leaves its professed desire for a cease-fire unofficial …

• US Abstains from UN Vote on Gaza Cease-Fire (AP / Washington Post)

…despite worldwide demands for justice

• Global Protests Condemn Gaza War (Al Jazeera)

Imran

Minaret of Freedom Institute Program Assistant