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.

Thursday, July 7, 2011

Iceland commits to vote for UN Recognition of Palestinian State

Wafa- Minister for Foreign Affairs of Iceland, Össur Skarphéðinsson, said Thursday in a meeting with Foreign Minister Riyad Al-Maliki, in Ramallah that the Icelandic government is committed to voting for the UN recognition and admission of a Palestinian state if the negotiations fail and supports the Two-State solution.

Skarphéðinsson announced upgrading the status of the Palestinian representation in Iceland from general delegation to the level of a mission.

The two ministers signed a political consultation memorandum of understanding, which “ will support the continuation of consultation between the two countries and the exchange of ideas, enhance the friendly relation between them, as well as support our approaches in the International community,” Al-Maliki told WAFA.

Skarphéðinsson said, after he visited Gaza earlier today, “ This visit confirmed the bad situation and poverty that people suffer from, and I stress the need to lift the siege off Gaza.”

He told Wafa that Iceland reacted strongly to the Israeli measures against Freedom Flotilla to Gaza and against the international peace activists which led to the death of many innocents.
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He emphasized the necessity of the Palestinian reconciliation, urging Palestinians to move forward to form the new unity government that will enable them to face the challenges ahead.

Al-Maliki said that Skarphéðinsson will meet Abbas on Saturday to discuss the latest political development in the Palestinian Territory and in the region.

Skarphéðinsson told WAFA that he is not scheduled to meet with the Israeli officials during this visit, which is a visit to Palestine only, “If the Israelis want to talk to me, they can come and talk, I hope we will have talks with them in the future, but during this visit there will be no talks with them.”

Al-Maliki welcomed the Icelandic minister in Ramallah, hoping to promote the friendly relation between the two countries and enhance the Icelandic support to the Palestinians’ legitimate rights.
at 7/07/2011 01:57:00 PM