Gaza

SIT-IN HELD AT REP. LEVIN’S OFFICE TO ASK SUPPORT FOR CEASE FIRE IN ISRAEL-GAZA WAR

By Miriam Raftery

February 9, 2024 (Oceanside) - A dozen constituents of Congressmember Mike Levin (CA-49) staged a sit-in at his Oceanside office this morning, demanding that he call for an immediate, permanent ceasefire in Gaza and an end to U.S. military funding to Israel. The action comes three days after Levin voted for an additional $17.6 billion in military funding to Israel in a measure that ultimately failed to pass the house. 


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READER’s EDITORIAL: CEASE FIRE? OBSTACLES AND OPPORTUNITIES

By Mel Gurtov

November 17, 2023 (San Diego) -- Appeals for a cease fire in Israel’s war with Hamas are growing louder. Along with many governments and international and nongovernmental organizations, the UN General Assembly, by a 120-14 vote (with 45 abstentions), has called for an “immediate, durable and sustained humanitarian truce leading to a cessation of hostilities.” 

So far that call has only yielded an Israeli decision on a daily four-hour humanitarian pause for north Gaza. I have seen very little detailed discussion of how a lengthy cease-fire might be achieved. So here are my thoughts on the complications of implementing a cease-fire as well as the opportunities it might create.


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STATE DEPT. ISSUES WORLDWIDE TRAVEL ADVISORY FOR AMERICANS

East County News Service

October 19, 2023 (Washington D.C.) – Today, the US State Department issued a worldwide travel advisory. “Due to increased tensions in various locations around the world, the potential for terrorist attacks, demonstrations or violent actions against U.S. citizens and interests, the Department of State advises U.S. citizens overseas to exercise increased caution.”

The State Department advises that U.S. citizens should stay alert in locations frequented by tourists; enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)) to receive security updates and make it easier to locate you in an emergency; and follow the Department of State on Facebook and Twitter.

There is also currently a do not travel advisory for Gaza and Lebanon, and a reconsider travel advisory for Israel and the West Bank.

The U.S. government has authorized the departure of family members of U.S. government personnel and some non-emergency personnel on a case-by-case basis from Mission Israel and Lebanon. 


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BIDEN HEADS TO ISRAEL AND JORDAN AS MIDEAST CRISIS DEEPENS: U.S. DEPLOYS AMPHIBIOUS TASK FORCE, WARSHIPS TO REGION AS PRECAUTION

 

By Miriam Raftery

Photo, left:  Amphibious assault ship USS Bataan, front, and the landing ship USS Carter Hall, by U.S.Navy Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Riley Gasdia

October 17, 2023  (Washington D.C.) – President Joe Biden is traveling to Israel to meet with Prime Minister Netanyahu tomorrow, after which he will head to Jordan for a meeting with Jordan’s King Abdullah, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, USA Today reports.

U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken has said that while Biden fully supports Israel’s “right and indeed the duty to defend its people,” the President will also work with Israel to develop a plan “that will enable humanitarian aid from donor nations and multilateral organizations to reach civilians in Gaza—and them alone,”  Voice of America reports. He voiced concerns that Hamas, the terrorist organization that governs Palestine and launched the Oct. 7 attacks on Israel, could intercept supplies of food, water, fuel and medicines.

Israel reports that the Hamas attacks killed at least 1,400 people in Israel and injured more than 4,121.  Hamas has also taken an estimated 200 to 250 hostages.  The dead and captured include American citizens as well as Israelis.  Palestinian officials estimate that Israel bombings in Gaza, which Israel says targeted  Hamas militants, have killed 2,778 people and injured 9,938. 

The United Nations warns of a humanitarian crisis in Gaza. 


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AS GAZA TURMOIL DEEPENS, SOME LEADERS DIAL BACK PRO-ISRAEL RHETORIC--BUT WON'T CALL FOR CEASE FIRE

Officials in Europe, Canada, and the U.S. have attempted to "backtrack" on the widespread unconditional support that's been expressed in the last week for Israel's assault on Gaza.

By Julia Conley, Common Dreams

Reprinted under a Creative Commons license from Common Dreams

Photo, left: Bombing in Gaza,  Al Araby cc by SA 3.0

October 16, 2023 (Israel) - The United Nations special rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territories expressed concern on Sunday that the international body has so far not publicly advocated for an immediate cease-fire in Gaza, as rhetoric from the United States and other influential countries has offered tacit approval of an Israeli air campaign in the blockaded enclave where at least 2,670 Palestinians, including more than 700 children, have now been killed.


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ISRAEL “AT WAR” AFTER HAMAS LAUNCHES MISSILE ATTACKS ON ISRAELI CITIES, KIDNAPS CIVILIANS

By Miriam Raftery

October 7,2023 (San Diego) --    The Israeli Foreign Ministry announced early this morning, “We are at war,” after Hamas launched attacks targeting Israel cities, killing and capturing civilians.  “Thousands of rockets have been firedto the south and center of Isarel, including at Jerusalem.” The Israeli government accused Palestinian “terrorists” of patrolling streets and “slaughtering innocent civilians” releasing a video that showed bombs igniting fires in urban areas and gunmen in the streets. The post on X added that civilians have been captured, adding, “We will take every measure to protect our citizens and target those who harm them.”  The post said at least 100 Israelis were killed and 900 wounded.

Hamas claimed it fired 5,000 rocket and claims to have captured Israeli soldiers including senior military officers. Hamas spokesman Khaled Qadomi told  Al Jazeera that its goal is for “the international community to stop atrocities in Gaza, against Palestinian people, our holy sites like Al-Aqsa,” a reference to a mosque that has been the site of conflicts between Gaza settlers and Palestinians in recent days.

Film on social media shows a bulldozer apparently breaking down a border fence that separated Israel and Gaza.


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READER'S EDITORIAL: WARTIME CHAOS AND SPECULATION

By Ira Sharkansky, Ph.D., San Diego Jewish World, a member of the San Diego Online News Association.

May 18, 2021 (Jerusalem) - Lots of missiles coming from Gaza to Israel.

Lots of damage in Gaza.

And something close to civil war within Israel, with Arab mobs attacking Jews and their property in what had been peaceful settings with two communities; plus Jewish mobs doing the same to Arabs and their property.


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STATE DEPT. ISSUES TRAVEL WARNING FOR ISRAEL, GAZA AND WEST BANK

East County News Service

December 30, 2015 (Washington D.C.) — The U .S. State Department has issued a travel warning for Israel, Gaza and the West Bank due to heightened political tensions and violence that has resulted in injuries and deaths of U.S. citizens. 

 


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ECM WORLD WATCH: GLOBAL AND NATIONAL NEWS

December 5, 2012 -- (San Diego’s East County) – ECM World Watch helps you be an informed citizen about important issues globally and nationally. As part of our commitment to reflect all voices and views, we include links to a wide variety of news sources representing a broad spectrum of political, religious, and social views. Top world and U.S. headlines include:

U.S.

WORLD

HEALTH & SCIENCE

Read more for excerpts and links to full stories.


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ECM WORLD WATCH: GLOBAL AND NATIONAL NEWS

November 20, 2012 --  (San Diego’s East County) – ECM World Watch helps you be an informed citizen about important issues globally and nationally. As part of our commitment to reflecting all voices and views, we include links to a wide variety of news sources representing a broad spectrum of political, religious, and social views. Top world and U.S. headlines include:

U.S.

WORLD

Israel-Palestine conflict:

Other world news:

HEALTH

Read more for excerpts and links to full stories.


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ECM WORLD WATCH: GLOBAL AND NATIONAL NEWS

October 11, 2012 --  (San Diego’s East County) – ECM World Watch helps you be an informed citizen about important issues globally and nationally. As part of our commitment to reflecting all voices and views, we include links to a wide variety of news sources representing a broad spectrum of political, religious, and social views. Top world and U.S. headlines include:

U.S.

  • Mitt Romney's Climate Change Remarks On 'Meet The Press' Outrage Environmental Activists 
  • Meningitis-linked steroid may have been responsible for 13,000 cases in US (Reuters)
  • Meningitis outbreak: steroid maker recalls all shots (Med Page Today)
  • NY 9/11 judge okays$6 billion vs. Iran, Taliban, Al Qaeda (UT San Diego)
  • Should TV stations refuse to air political ads that make false claims? (NPR)
  • Supreme Court to hear Monsanto seed dispute (Huffington Post)
  • Your right to resell your own stuff is in peril (Wall Street Journal Market Watch)

WORLD

  • Drug ‘may’ prevent stroke damage (BBC)
  • Libyan leader passes vote of no confidence dismissing leader (Reuters)
  • Egypt’s hard-line Islamist party unravels (UT San Diego)
  • Gauging poverty from Appalachia to Africa (Christian Science Monitor)
  • Hamas election boycott leaves Palestinians with only one choice (Christian Science Monitor)
  • Israel strikes Gaza after exchange of air strikes (Christian Science Monitor)
  • France’s Hollande vows more security to allay Jewish fears (Reuters)

Read more for excerpts and links to full stories.


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ECM WORLD WATCH: GLOBAL AND NATIONAL NEWS

 
March 13, 2012 --  (San Diego’s East County) – ECM World Watch helps you be an informed citizen about important issues globally and nationally. As part of our commitment to reflecting all voices and views, we include links to a wide variety of news sources representing a broad spectrum of political, religious, and social views. Top world and U.S. headlines include:  
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. 
  • State joblessness rate dips to lowest level since ’09 (SF Chronicle)
  • U.S. extends its run of strong job growth another month (NY Times)
  • Drones over America: What can they see?  (NPR)
  • Voters blame Obama for gas prices, but experts say not so fast (Washington Post) 
 
WORLD  
  • Rampage in Afghanistan puts long-term US Presence in peril (Christian Science Monitor)
  • Afghans urge US exit after killings; US says timetable unchanged (Reuters)
  • Syrian opposition calls for international intervention (CNN)
  •  ‘Arab revolts led to Islamization, instability’ (Jerusalem Post)
  • Israel and Gaza factions ‘agree on truce’(Al Jazeera)
 
SCIENCE & HEALTH
  • Loss of Greenland ice could become irreversible,  scientists say (Los Angeles Times)
  • Study: Red meat raises risk of dying; risk higher with processed meats (CBS) 
 
Scroll down for excerpts and links to full stories. 

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READER’S EDITORIAL: THE CRISIS IN GAZA

 

By Mitchell Dubick

 

August 24, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) -- There is suffering among the people in Gaza. How that suffering compares to the misery of other groups around the world, who is causing this suffering, and what should be done to alleviate it are all subjects of much debate. However, it is the duty of caring and responsible people on all sides to address these issues.


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READER’S EDITORIAL: 4,000 MILES TO GAZA

 

A journey of hope from San Diego to Gaza

 

by Faith Attaguile

 

August 24, 2010 (San Diego) -- Recently I spoke to a group of people about a 31-day journey I took a few months ago. It was a land convoy to Gaza of 200 vehicles and 500 people from 17 different countries. We were Muslims, Jews, Christians, Hindus, Atheists and Humanists journeying together over 4,000 miles through 13 countries. We traveled from London to Gaza on a journey of hope.


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ASSEMBLYMAN ANDERSON URGES LEGISLATURE TO SUPPORT ISRAEL IN GAZA CONFLICT

ASSEMBLYMAN ANDERSON URGES LEGISLATURE TO SUPPORT ISRAEL

By Miriam Raftery

January 27, 2009 (Sacramento)-- Assemblyman Joel Anderson (R-El Cajon), has introduced Assembly Concurrent resolution (ACR) 10, California's Resolution to Stand with Israel. The move has drawn praise from backers of Israel and criticism from supporters of the Palestinians.

"It's vital that we stand shoulder to shoulder with Israel as they defend themselves from terrorists," said Anderson, who introduced the measure on January 13th.


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