U.S. President Bush laid the blame for recent fighting in Gaza squarely at the feet of Hamas, accusing militants of waging a campaign of violence against Israel with little regard for its people.
“Since Hamas’ violent takeover in the summer of 2007, living conditions have worsened for Palestinians in Gaza,” Bush says in prepared remarks released Friday by the White House. “By spending its resources on rocket launchers instead of roads and schools, Hamas has demonstrated that it has no intention of serving the Palestinian people.”
In a radio address to air Saturday, Bush says Hamas committed an act of terrorism when it renewed rocket attacks into Israel last month, provoking this week’s airstrikes by Israel.
“In response to these attacks on their people, the leaders of Israel have launched military operations on Hamas positions in Gaza,” Bush says. “As a part of their strategy, Hamas terrorists often hide within the civilian population, which puts innocent Palestinians at risk.”
President-elect Barack Obama is said to be monitoring the situation. He has been in contact with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Hillary Clinton, the nominee for secretary of state.
The president of the U.N. General Assembly blasted Israel’s ground assault into Gaza on Saturday and criticized the actions of the U.N. Security Council.
“I think it’s a monstrosity; there’s no other way to name it,” Miguel D’escoto Brockmann of Nicaragua said Saturday when asked about the Israeli incursion launched just hours before. “Once again, the world is watching in dismay the disfunctionality of the Security Council.”
Earlier Saturday, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon expressed concern over the start of the ground offensive, saying it complicates the international community’s efforts to achieve a cease-fire between the Jewish state and Hamas.
Ban “conveyed his extreme concern and disappointment” to Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, a spokesman for the secretary-general said.
“He is convinced and alarmed that this escalation will inevitably increase the already heavy suffering of the affected civilian populations.”
Ban renewed his call for an immediate cease-fire and condemned the continued rocket attacks by Hamas.
After a week of pounding Gaza with airstrikes, Israeli troops rolled into Gaza on Saturday night, launching the second phase of an offensive meant to end rocket attacks staged in the Hamas-ruled territory. The incursion happened just hours after the European Union announced that a delegation is heading to the Middle East to meet with leaders from the region and seek a Gaza cease-fire.
A broader Middle East “Quartet” — consisting of the European Union, the United States, the United Nations and Russia — is also trying to broker a truce.
“Today’s developments complicate the efforts of the Quartet and others to end the violence,” Ban’s spokesman said.
A statement from the French government conveyed a similar message, saying the ground assault “complicated the efforts” of the European Union, the Quartet, France and others seeking an immediate cease-fire.
Earlier, chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas will meet with the EU delegation Monday in Ramallah, West Bank. Abbas then plans to head to New York for meetings at the United Nations, Erekat said.
Monday’s meeting will include members of the European Union leadership and French President Nicolas Sarkozy, whose country just finished a six-month EU presidency. The Czech Republic, which took over the role from France, will lead the delegation, the Czech presidency said.
The officials will try to start a dialogue between the EU and Middle East to look for ways of re-establishing armistice in Gaza, the Czech presidency said. They will also be looking for ways to provide humanitarian aid to people in Gaza.
Duration : 0:1:21
This was a tumultuous year like so many where we have seen so many major events happen. Today on News Talk Online on Paltalk.com we presented a recap of some of the years most important stories.
This screencast will show you in detail how to get your own web domain name. It is very simple and you can get yours in only a matter of minutes.
Sarah Palin the most photoshopped politician in history. How did Barack Obama claim power in Chicago?Why,the old-fashioned way,of course!He used connections,ingratiated himself with power brokers,became part of the machine and was hand-picked for the seat. And then the machine helped make it happen,including by nefarious means.If nothing else,the Chicago mess demonstrates how remarkable Sarah Palin’s success really has been.In every state of the union,a cobweb of power networks string together.Money,influence and elections are all tied.Oh,it’s not as horrible as it sounds.Networking happens in all businesses.We tend to trust friends of friends based on our friend’s judgment,etc.The only problem is that the circle can become insular,exclusionary, closed minded,paranoid and entitled.People start doing immoral and then illegal things to get and retain power.This happens in every state.It happens within the national political parties.It can happen wherever two or more are gathered and form a group.In Alaska,Ted Stevens and a bunch of other guys controlled the state,the gas companies and the policy.There are these”machines”just about everywhere.Sarah Palin managed to find a way around this system and speak right to the people.No wonder the powers that be are terrified of her.She is inspiring the same sort of hate Ronald Reagan endured and that ought to tell you something.Sarah Palin inspires the same sort of fear and loathing and will have to manage the shark-infested waters of the political hierarchy.The only thing: money talks and the woman can bring in money.Even the good old boys have to pay attention to that.Sarah Palin’s rise in Alaska and now nationally is nothing short of remarkable.She is a woman who came to power through her ideas and effective communication and with all the power systems working against her.Barack Obama,for all his talk of being a”new”politician,got his jobs the old-fashioned way.Sarah Palin has been a new politician.No spouse coattails.No press adulation.No machine power brokers.She got her job by hard work.
In today’s IFAtv news - two brokers banned for compliance failings, Freedom SIPP closed to new members after FSA visit and Dame Edna the face of Norwich Union campaign..
This video is about the 2008 Bright Ideas award winners from Union County, NC. The Bright Ideas program awards school teachers with grant money to pursue worthy projects. View this video and article at http://monroescoop.com.
This is a short video highlighting the Union West Rotary Holiday Breakfast held at the Extreme Ice Center in Indian Trail, NC. After breakfast, the Rotarians were treated to an ice skating demonstration from Professional Ice Skaters.
With a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from Manchester University in England and a Master’s degree in Systems Analysis, David has been programming computers and designing systems since he was 18. He spent 18 years in computer software development before beginning his real estate career with Pacific Union in 1986. He obtained his State Brokers license in 1987 and joined McGuire Real Estate, San Franciscos largest independent firm, in 1993. 
Bernard madoff Where did the money go? pyramid scheme run by New York broker Bernard Madoff has funded the Democrat left for some years, please write to congress and force them to repay the stolen funds!
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