Rocket Fired From Lebanon Lands Inside Israel; No Injuries Resulting

A Katyusha rocket fired from Lebanon landed inside of Israel on Tuesday. No damage or injuries resulted. Prime Minister Netanyahu immediately held the Lebanese government responsible and Israel’s U.N. Ambassador Gabriela Shalev filed a formal complaint with the United Nations. Shalev noted an “alarming rise” in hostilities in southern Lebanon and complained that Israel’s warnings that Hizbullah was rebuilding its military infrastructure have gone unheeded for three years. She said the Lebanon-based terrorist organization was infiltrating the local population south of the Litani River and north of the Israel/Lebanon border. Israel’s artillery units in the north fired 115 rounds in the direction of the missile’s launch site in retaliation. Lebanese President Fouad Siniora condemned the attack and Israel’s retaliation.  

Israel’s Goldstone Task Force Seeks Ways to Counter Onslaught, Not Investigate Allegations

The task force appointed by Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu regarding the U.N. Human Rights Council’s Goldstone report is charged with seeking ways of countering and minimizing damage from the report, and not with investigating the report’s allegations. Netanyahu has been under intense pressure from the United States and other allies to conduct its own investigation into allegations made by the U.N. investigators. In embracing the findings of the commission, the Council warned that unless Israel and Hamas conduct internal probes, the entire report would be turned over to the International Criminal Court at The Hague for prosecution. Netanyahu, though, has vowed that no Israeli soldier will face an international tribunal as the result of his or her actions in defending the country. He has also warned that Israel will take no further “risks for peace” if the international community does not back Israel’s right to self-defense, which Israel insists is being denied by the actions of the Goldstone commission and its report. It was first reported that Netanyahu had capitulated in part and was appointing a small body of inquiry to satisfy the demands for a domestic probe. But the government has clarified the issue, explaining that the duty of the task force is to coordinate Israel’s defense relative to the report. Already, hundreds of cases against Israelis who served in army units in the Gaza operation are being filed in European courts, charging the Israelis with war crimes. 

Report: Palestinian Refugees Need More Interaction with Host Communities

Greater interaction between Palestinian refugees and their host communities will provide greater understanding and lessen discrimination according to a report by the Danish Refugee Council. The project, which focused on refugees living in Lebanon, was funded by the European Commission’s Humanitarian Aid Department. In Lebanon, there are more than 400,000 Palestinians who are registered and thousands more who are not registered. The report also suggests that the high level of violence found in Palestinian refugee camps would be reduced if greater space and institutions through which frustrations could be released were provided. Palestinians’ movement is restricted and they are not allowed to own property or work in jobs above the most menial. The report also cites the “sense of imprisonment” Palestinians in Lebanon experience because of frequent checkpoints and the fact they are denied identification cards.

Record Death Toll Set in Afghanistan for Third Time in Four Months

A record monthly death toll among U.S. forces in Afghanistan has been set for the third time in four months. Most of the casualties result from “improvised explosive devices” – homemade roadside bombs -- as was again demonstrated on Tuesday when eight American servicemen lost their lives. The deaths were the result of two attacks in Kandahar Province, and come as the world awaits a decision by President Obama on whether he will provide the additional military manpower that has been requested by American commanders in Afghanistan. In comparison to September’s 106 IED attacks resulting in 37 deaths, September 2007’s numbers were 9 dead in 37 attacks.  

Bahrain: 10 Years in Jail for Doing Business with Israel

A bill passed by Bahrain’s legislature on Tuesday provides for a ten-year jail term for anyone doing business with or traveling to Israel. But passage by the upper house is considered doubtful because the government itself favors fostering closer ties with the Jewish state. A conservative lawmaker supporting the bill was quoted by the Associated Press as warning the upper house against delaying passage of the measure, which he says represents the “will of the people.”  

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