The Daily Background

According to recent polls, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert’s popularity is lower than it’s ever been, with most Israelis wanting a full investigation into the 34-day war against Hezbollah, in which international groups have said human rights abuses were widespread on both sides. The PM rests at an extremely low 22% approval, with only 7% […]

Filed under: Middle East Crisis, Polls, Z-TDB Blog
No Comments »

In the face of mounting public pressure, the Israeli government has set up a panel to investigate the recent 34-day-war with Hezbollah. Polls have shown that a majority of the Israeli public think the war never should have happened, that their PM ought to resign, and that an investigation was needed. NYT reports:

The committee “will […]

Filed under: Middle East Crisis, Z-TDB Blog
No Comments »

I’ve learned that the following email was sent out to several organizations and people by the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs director Amir Gissin.

Dear friends,
Many of us recognize the importance of the Internet as the new battleground for Israel’s image. It’s time to do it better, and coordinate our on-line efforts on behalf of Israel. […]

Filed under: Middle East Crisis, Z-TDB Blog
1 Comment »

This is ridiculous:

A congressman said Sunday he would ask the U.S. administration to freeze the $230 million aid package to Lebanon proposed by President Bush until the Lebanese government takes control of its borders with Syria and prevents arms smuggling to Hezbollah guerrillas.
Rep. Tom Lantos, the top Democrat on the House International Relations Committee, spoke […]

Filed under: Middle East Crisis, Z-TDB Blog
No Comments »

I have no idea what the Cumberland Times-News is (other than that it’s a local newspaper in Maryland and West Virginia– rather than a mainstay of the mythical “liberal media”), but one of their columnists published a great piece today regarding the 34-day Israel-Hezbollah war. It’s not very long and I’d encourage you to click […]

Filed under: Middle East Crisis, Z-TDB Blog
No Comments »

The Israeli military attacked a Reuters press SUV in Gaza Strip today, according to reports. The SUV was marked with the internationally recognized Reuters logo and said “TV” and press on it in English, Arabic and Hebrew. Apparently some sort of aircraft was used (likely a helicopter) to strike the press vehicle, which was clearly […]

Filed under: Middle East Crisis, Z-TDB Blog
No Comments »

I know I haven’t written about the middle east in a few days (a week?) but that’s just because a lot of really interesting mostly pre-election stories have been going on right here in America. I thought I’d take a moment however to write a bit on the situation with regard to Israel. Reuters […]

Filed under: Middle East Crisis, Z-TDB Blog
2 Comments »

Zogby poll results:

The Zogby International telephone survey, conducted Aug. 11-15, shows that 52 percent think the United States should remain neutral and 34 percent believe it should support Israel in its fight against Hezbollah forces.
[…]
Thirty-two percent said Israel used excessive force, 24 percent said Israel did not use enough force and 25 percent said the […]

Filed under: Middle East Crisis, Polls, Z-TDB Blog
No Comments »

With regard to the Fox journalist kidnappings yesterday…
Earlier today I wrote (see same link) that it was important to note- AP said- that most kidnappings in Gaza are very short and do not end in death, unlike those in say, Iraq. Industry blogger TVNewser notes that this may case may be different; “there are concerns […]

Filed under: Middle East Crisis, News Media, Z-TDB Blog
No Comments »

As you may have heard, according to reports, two Fox News employees (one of whom was Fox correspondent Steve Centanni) have been kidnapped in Gaza. This is of course very bad, and whoever kidnaps journalists ought to be punished. Along with the rest of the world, I hope sincerely that they will be released soon […]

Filed under: Middle East Crisis, Z-TDB Blog
No Comments »

This is so bizarre. President Bush has declared that Hezbollah has been ‘defeated’ following the ceasefire which took effect this morning. Even the Israeli government is not claiming this.
Israel violated international law by breaking the ceasefire and killed a half dozen people it said were Hezbollah militants a few hours after it took effect and […]

Filed under: Middle East Crisis, Z-TDB Blog
No Comments »

Hat tip to Hotpotatomash for finding this video

Respected veteran investigative journalist Symour Hersh, who writes for The New Yorker these days appeared on CNN’s Late Edition yesterday with Wolf Blitzer to discuss his new article which reports that the Israeli war on Hezbollah was planned in advance just waiting for a provocation from the militant […]

Filed under: Middle East Crisis, Iran Related, Z-TDB Blog
No Comments »

Some news organizations are now reporting that Israel’s government is planning to cease all offensive… “defensive” operations in Lebanon on Monday. Hezbollah already agreed to a UN-backed ceasefire provided the Israeli military also abide by it back in late July. The Associated Press reports however that for the moment violence will continue:

Israel, meanwhile, flew hundreds […]

Filed under: Middle East Crisis, Z-TDB Blog
No Comments »

Associated Press is reporting that Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert is okay with a ceasefire which is likely to be soon mandated by the United Nations, after a dramatic drop in his approval rating (a 28 point drop) as he has persued war with Hezbollah.
However for the moment, the Israeli occupation of parts of Lebanon […]

Filed under: Middle East Crisis, Z-TDB Blog
No Comments »

The right-wing “centerist” Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has ordered an expansion of the Iraeli military’s ground offensive in Lebanon today. Previously expansions to the invasion were put on hold as diplomatic efforts were persued. Meanwhile, Reuters reports that PM Olmert’s popularity has “plunged” in his country:

Rising Israeli casualties and constant Hezbollah rocket attacks have […]

Filed under: Middle East Crisis, Z-TDB Blog
No Comments »