Newsbreak

Pretty busy news day. Some of the stories we are following:

The Justice Department has finally weighed in on Arizona’s controversial get tough on illegal immigration law, filing a lawsuit to overturn SB 1070. It also asked the federal courts to grant an injunction to stop enforcement of the measure before it takes effect.

After what can only be described as a terrifically shaky start to the unshakeable relationship, President Obama and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu finally met in Washington, their originally scheduled meeting on May 31 having been preempted by the IDF’s deadly raid on a Turkish vessel during an attempt to run the blockade of Gaza. In a related story, Israeli authorities have charged an IDF soldier with manslaughter and other charges for the shooting of a Palestinian woman in the early days of Operation Cast Lead in Gaza.

The New York Times looks at how tax-exempt U.S. groups are helping to fund illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank, contrary to the two-state policy supported by the Obama administration and even to the consternation of Israeli authorities.

A New York Times examination of public records in the United States and Israel identified at least 40 American groups that have collected more than $200 million in tax-deductible gifts for Jewish settlement in the West Bank and East Jerusalem over the last decade. The money goes mostly to schools, synagogues, recreation centers and the like, legitimate expenditures under the tax law. But it has also paid for more legally questionable commodities: housing as well as guard dogs, bulletproof vests, rifle scopes and vehicles to secure outposts deep in occupied areas.

And lest we forget, here’s an update from the Washington Post on day 77 of the BP Gulf oil debacle. Turns out BP is not living up to the low standards it has set for itself in containing the spill. As Gomer might say, “Surprise, Surprise, Surprise.”

Likely to get lost in the news of the day is the passing of Father Bill Callahan, a one-time Jesuit and long-time progressive voice for peace. He died July 5th due to complications from Parkinson’s disease. He was 78.

Kevin Clarke