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.

Friday, February 19, 2010

Nonviolent Beit Ummar sit-in tear gassed by Israeli forces

Ma'an
fter two weeks of denying the use of riot dispersal mechanisms against protesters in Beit Ummar, the an Israeli army spokesman confirmed the use of tear gas and sound bombs on Palestinian and Israeli protesters Friday.

A group of farmers, Beit Ummar residents and solidarity activists staged a sit-in outside the illegal Israeli settlement of Karmi Zur, north of Hebron, and were asked to leave by Israeli troops, the military confirmed.

Spokesman for the Palestinian Solidarity Project Mohammad Awad said the group was quietly voicing dissent against "the Israeli policy that supports the settlers by allowing them to confiscate more of the town’s land.”

The Israeli spokesman said the army considered the sit-in a "provocation" and asked the group to leave. When they refused, he said, forces were "afraid the situation would develop" into violent actions against the settlers, and used "riot dispersal" methods against the group.

Full Article
at 2/19/2010 02:25:00 PM