Newscast for Monday, January 12, 2009

• Suspected Use of White Phosphorus in Israel's War on Gaza
• Philip Rizk to Egyptian Officials: Open Rafah Crossing
• US House of Representatives Votes Unwavering Support for Israel
• Activists Urge Obama to Close Guantanamo Bay Prison
• US Supreme Court Examines Rights on Death Row
• Mississippi Immigrants Rights Advocates Work to Overturn Workplace Sanction Laws

Suspected Use of White Phosphorus in Israel's War on Gaza
Israeli military reservists are moving into highly populated areas, including Gaza City as the attack on Gaza continues for the 17th straight day.  The number of Palestinians killed is nearing a thousand and there is increasing outrage among the international community over the deaths and the escalating humanitarian crisis.  Protests took place all over the world again this weekend, including in San Francisco, Paris and Islamabad.  Meanwhile, humanitarian organizations continue to urge israel to cease its attacks and what they say is the illegal use of white phosphorus, which burns the lungs and skin of people exposed to it.  From Gaza, Rami Almeghari has more.

Philip Rizk to Egyptian Officials: Open Rafah Crossing
We take you now to North-Eastern Egypt, where the country shares a border with the Gaza strip. Joining us to discuss what is happening at the border is Philip Rizk, an independent journalist who's also worked with non-governmental organizations in Gaza.
Philip Rizk is an independent journalist who has worked extensively in Gaza.  He joined us by phone from Cairo, Egypt.

US House of Representatives Votes Unwavering Support for Israel
After weeks of inaction, US Lawmakers voted Friday on a resolution supporting Israel's war on Gaza.  390 members of the us house voted for it, including Speaker Nancy Pelosi.  Another 20 voted "present," including California's Barbara Lee and Lynn Woolsey; Minnesota's Keith Ellison, and New York's Maurice Hinchey.  Only five opposed it, including Ohio Congressmember Dennis Kucinich, California's Maxine Waters and Texas Republican Ron Paul.
The US Senate unanimously approved a similar non-binding resolution last Thursday.
Meanwhile, President Elect Barack Obama continues to refuse to take a position on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.  He appeared Sunday on "This Week," with George Stephanopolis, and said, "a basic principle of any country is that they've got to protect their citizens."  Although the President-Elect has in recent days pushed his economic agenda, he added that he didn't want "two administrations at the same time simultaneously sending signals in a volatile situation."
Some Americans remain in Gaza.  Today, the State Department said it was taking steps to evacuate some 150 US Citizens and their family members.  On January 2, the State Department had previously arranged for 16 Americans and 11 family members to travel by convoy to Amman, Jordan.

Activists Urge Obama to Close Guantanamo Bay Prison
Among President-Elect Barack Obama's campaign promises is closure of the infamous Guantanamo prison, where about 250 prisoners are detained in a legal no-man's-land. Human rights activists across the country are taking action to make sure the shut down of the prison is one of Obama's top priorities. Tanya Snyder reports.

US Supreme Court Examines Rights on Death Row
Another death penalty case came before the Supreme Court today. It pertains to broader rights for death row inmates. Whether the person on death row should receive legal representation from the State for a clemency proceeding is what the Justices will determine.  FSRN's Leigh Ann Caldwell attended the oral arguments and brings us this report.

Mississippi Immigrants Rights Advocates Work to Overturn Workplace Sanction Laws
In Mississippi, immigrants rights advocates have an important item they are trying to get on legislators' agenda; overturning a new workplace sanctions law they say is one of the most restrictive in the country.  Andrew Stelzer has the story.