Morning rush hour drivers along the BQE this morning encountered a series of signs protesting the occupation of Gaza and what is seen as Israeli war crimes hung by the group Jews Against the Occupation. Signs such as "FREE GAZA" and "JEWS SAY: STOP ISRAEL" were draped from overpasses as commuters headed southbound along the highway.
Jews Against the Occupation Protest Along the Holiday Road
Israel and Hamas Both Call for One-Week Cease Fire
Both sides in the three-week long Gaza conflict have agreed to come to a temporary cease fire that began just earlier today. After Israel called off attacks at 2 a.m. Sunday morning, Hamas followed suit around twelve hours later, agreeing to a one-week truce. Now Egypt will step forward and continue their role as mediator in an attempt to bring forth a longer-term deal between the two sides.
Paterson, Schumer Join Pro-Israel Rally in Midtown
Thousands of people who support Israel's actions gathered near the Israeli Consulate yesterday afternoon. Governor David Paterson, one of many elected officials on hand, wore a red hat, which NY1 explains "symboliz[e] the red alerts many in Israel experience day after day, under rocket fire from Hamas-controlled Gaza." He said, "We recognize the right of the state of Israel to protect itself. We recognize the right of the men and women of that great state to protect its own children." Paterson added, "For the last three and a half years, Israel's been bombarded daily by a number of rockets coming from Gaza. The founding charter of Hamas calls for the obliteration of the state of Israel."

