Washington, DC, Jan. 6 -- The American Task Force on Palestine (ATFP) today condemned an Israeli military attack near a UN school in Gaza in which at least 30 Palestinian civilians were reportedly killed and many more injured. ATFP reiterated its Dec. 27 and Jan. 3 calls for a cease-fire between all parties, and its deep concern for the well-being of the innocent civilian population in Gaza.

Ziad J. Asali
The Washington Times, Opinion
January 6, 2009

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/jan/06/mideast-political-conund...

Israel’s air attacks against Gaza continue for a seventh day, and a ground attack seems imminent (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9). The Chicago Tribune examines the role of Israeli domestic politics in the attack, while The New York Times asks what this means for Secretary of State-designate Hillary Clinton (10, 12). Deep divisions in Arab reaction to the violence continue, while international leaders call for an end to the carnage (11, 13, 14).

Israel’s attacks on Gaza continue as civilians suffer the consequences (1,2). The Bush Administration struggles to find a sustainable response, while Arab and Palestinian rifts intensify (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10). Mustafa Barghouthi refutes Israeli arguments, while the Arab News interviews ATFP President Ziad Asali and Geoffrey Aronson of the Foundation for Middle East Peace (9, 11). Kevin Clarke and Eboo Patel urge American religious communities to re-examine their approaches to the conflict (12, 13).

The American Task Force on Palestine (ATFP) reiterated its urgent call for a cease-fire between all parties in the Gaza Strip and urged the United States Government to do everything in its power to secure a cease-fire. Israeli military airstrikes against the Gaza Strip since Saturday have killed approximately 400 Palestinians and injured hundreds more. ATFP called this loss of life appalling, and expressed alarm at the suffering and increasingly perilous position of the innocent civilian population in Gaza.