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.

Monday, July 11, 2011

Palestinian farmers' valley declared closed military zone by Israeli forces, farmers' livelihoods in jeopardy

Ma'an -- Israeli forces declared a valley south of Nablus a closed military zone on Monday, while olive trees were uprooted from the area.

Ma'an correspondent said Israeli forces blocked residents from entering and exiting the Wadi Qana area.

A number of villagers from nearby Deir Istiya, including village mayor Nazmi Sulaiman, were briefly detained by Israeli forces on Monday, Sulaiman told Ma'an.

An Israeli army spokesperson said he had no information about the closed military zone or detentions.

Palestinians in the northern West Bank region depend on rich agricultural lands like Wadi Qana for their livelihoods, with farmers regularly blocked from their fields by the activities of nearby Jewish-only settlements, which surround the wadi on all sides.

Neighboring Deir Istiya, just edging into the Salfit district, is a farming community surrounded by large Israeli settlements including Ariel, Immanuel and Qarne Shomron.
at 7/11/2011 09:55:00 AM