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.

Sunday, March 14, 2010

Locals: Israeli forces training in Jordan Valley

Ma'an
The Israeli army carried out a number of military drills in the Jordan Valley, deploying warplanes, tanks and ground troops in the exercise on Sunday, locals reported.

Palestinian farmers told Ma'an that "Israeli forces raided the lands planted with wheat and vegetables, declaring a military zone and preventing us from accessing our lands." They added that Israeli helicopters were seen hovering at low levels over the area.

Jordan Valley residents appealed to President Mahmoud Abbas, and caretaker Prime Minister Salam Fayyad, to follow up on Israeli forces preventing farmers from reaching their lands, as they constitute their main livelihood. Residents said the Israeli army is working to expel them from the area by declaring closed military zones for training.

...."carrying out military drills in residential areas is a violation of international law and is terrorism carried out against unarmed civilians, particularly women and children."

.......declaring closed military zones "means more than 95% of the Jordan Valley will be turned into areas where Palestinians are prevented to live." Full story
at 3/14/2010 10:38:00 AM