News of the Day

There were many noteworthy articles of interest today: signs that Congress is preparing to fight Obama on his Middle East Policy; Israeli FM Avigdor Lieberman's pronouncement that Israel would not bomb Iran; the much-anticipated Obama speech in Cairo; worrying signs of increasing intra-Palestinian violence; the removal of .33% of Israeli West Bank roadblocks; however, least covered was the increasing settler violence amidst Israeli moves to close illegal West Bank outposts.

In the last several days, settlers have taken responsibility for numerous attacks upon both Palestinian civilians and IDF troops. The unwarranted attacks have consisted mainly of rock-throwing and blocking of roads. In one noteworthy incident, settlers set aflame several Palestinian fields in the northern West Bank. They subsequently left oil and nails along access roads to impede Palestinian firetrucks trying to put out the fires. These violent settler outbursts are in response to increasing Israeli government efforts to close illegal West Bank outposts. These outposts are typically manned by the most ardent of settlers, who believe it is sacred land. In a statement to reporters, a settler group said the attacks were "the price for harming our sacred land." Most exceptionally, the Israeli government has so far taken little action on illegal outposts; however, the government of Israel is expected to further broaden crackdowns on illegal outposts in repsonse to U.S. pressure. It is expected, of course, that this will result in only increased violence. Stay tuned.

And for a good editorial on why Obama should visit Gaza, see Benjamin at electronic intifada: Obama should visit Gaza.