Newscast for Wednesday, January 7, 2009

• Little Humanitarian Aid to Gazans Despite Brief Ceasefire
• Kucinich Raises Questions about Military Aid to Israel
• Professor Ira Chernus: How to Help Palestine
• Poor Evicted in Buenos Aires
• Congressional Budget Office Projects 1.2 Trillion Dollar Deficit for 2009
• Obama's Economic Recovery Plans Take Shape
• Green Revolution: Farm to Food Bank Project in Washington State

Little Humanitarian Aid to Gazans Despite Brief Ceasefire
French President Nicolas Sarkozy announced an agreement between the Israeli government and the Palestinian Authority, but released no details and didn't mention Hamas. But an Israeli official who commented on the proposal, indicated that the military's attacks on Gaza won't come to an end until rocket fire into Israel stops, and the international community supports an arms embargo on Hamas.

Meanwhile, a three hour long ceasefire observed today by the Israeli military and Hamas did little to get desperately needed humanitarian aid into Gaza. After the ceasefire expired, both sides began their attacks again. Israeli warplanes also dropped leaflets today on the border lines between Gaza and Egypt, ahead of demolishing dozens of homes. FSRN's Rami Almeghari reports from Rafah city.

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FSRN has just learned from our Gaza correspondent Rami Almeghari that Israeli Drones are flying above his home in the maghazi refugee camp in Gaza City. The unmanned military planes dropped bombs on a local police station, just 500 feet from his home.

Kucinich Raises Questions about Military Aid to Israel
Despite a rising death and injury toll, U-S government reaction to the conflict in Gaza has been slow, with few lawmakers making public statements about the crisis, including President Elect Barack Obama. But a former presidential contender - Ohio Congressmember Dennis Kucinich - took his time on the House floor today to raise questions about the U-S relationship with Israel - whether or not continued military aid to the county is a violation of the Arms Export Control Act.

Representative Dennis Kucinich: "I oppose Hamas' rocket attacks on Israel.  The rocket attacks, even to try to end the blockade, have no moral justification, are illegal and must stop.  But how can Israel claim self defense when it bombs Gaza which has no army, no air force, no navy and has been under a constant blockade? How can Israel claim self defense when its bombs destroy UN schools, killing children? The children of Palestinians and the children of Israel both deserve life. But the lives of the children of Gaza are cynically discounted as "human shields". Massacres are being rationalized. Israel's "moral high ground" in Gaza, a growing pile of small bones in a graveyard.  The Administration knows Israel is using US weapons, paid for by US taxpayers, with disproportionate force creating a collective punishment of Gazans, assuring an escalation of conflict, clear violations of the Arms Export Control Act. Israel was given U.S. weapons on condition they would not be used for aggression or escalation.  The outgoing Administration must finally stand for the rule of law, not the rule of force."

Ohio Congressmember Dennis Kucinich, speaking today on the House Floor.

Professor Ira Chernus: How to Help Palestine
In his latest commentary, religious studies professor, Ira Chernus advocates a new viewpoint toward the war on gaza. The University of Colorado Professor says people should adopt a position that is pro-PEACE, pro-Palestine and pro-Israel, in order to help the civilians in Gaza.  Ira Chernus, glad to have you with us - In gaza today, the Palestinian people are under attack for the twelfth day.  Whether someone is pro-Israel or not, many agree that there is no safe place - even for children in Gaza.  How is it possible NOT to take sides?

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Ira Chernus, Professor at University of Colorado - in the Religious Studies Department - at Boulder.  His latest commentary on the crisis in Gaza is available at commondreams.org.

Poor Evicted in Buenos Aires
Now we go to Buenos Aires, where attractions like tango, quaint cafes and soccer matches bring millions of tourists to the South American city each year.  But the boom in tourism and real estate values in Argentina's capitol and largest city, has also brought a housing crisis in which thousands have been evicted. FSRN's Marie Trigona reports.

Congressional Budget Office Projects 1.2 Trillion Dollar Deficit for 2009
Today the Congressional Budget Office projected a 1.2 trillion dollar deficit for 2009, the biggest deficit on record since War World 2.  FSRN's  Karen Miller has more

Obama's Economic Recovery Plans Take Shape
As Karen Miller reported that the CBO projects a deficit greater than 1 trillion dollars, President elect Barack Obama said that that deficit could grow in the short term. But to control long term deficit, Obama has announced a new position that will comb through the budget to rid it of waste. FSRN's Leigh Ann Caldwell reports.

Green Revolution: Farm to Food Bank Project in Washington State
Despite dire news about the economy, a positive development in the "green revolution" is taking place across the country.  Many cities and states have begun contracting with local farmers to grow produce for food banks.  FSRN's Martha Baskin has this report on Washington State's "Farm to Food Bank" project.