Studies show that US coverage is Israeli-centric. The main bureaus for CNN, Associated Press, Time, etc. are located in Israel and often staffed by Israelis. The son of the NY Times bureau chief is in the Israeli army;"pundit" Jeffrey Goldberg served in the IDF; Wolf Blitzer worked for AIPAC. Because the U.S. gives Israel over $8 million/day - more than to any other nation - we feel it is essential that we be fully informed on this region. Below are news reports to augment mainstream coverage.

Saturday, October 31, 2009

5,000 in Gaza have no ID cards; await family reunification permits

Ma'an
Without an ID card Palestinians in Gaza cannot apply to Israel for a permit to leave for medical treatment in Israel or the West Bank, they cannot apply for permits to visit jailed relatives in Israeli prisons, or permission to leave the Gaza Strip though Rafah. For those with family in the West Bank, no ID card means no travel permit, so families remain fragmented with no possibility of visits.

Israel caps the number of ID cards the Palestinian Authority can issue. The cards are effectively residency permits for Palestinians and give them rights for government services including welfare or social support. Palestinian refugees who wish to return to live in the West Bank or Gaza must obtain a permit. Full story
at 10/31/2009 08:36:00 AM