To the Point

Israel's War and America's Politics

Israel has expanded its air and ground wars in Lebanon, and Hezbollah has fired 190 rockets into northern Israel. The Bush Administration still opposes an immediate cease-fire, which has led to increasing isolation in the world of international diplomacy. But in the world of American politics, it's a different story. Calls for immediate cease-fire are few and far between, and critics of the Administration's support for Israel are walking on tiptoes. Chuck Hagel (R-NE) is the only Senator of either party to call for an immediate end to the fighting. In the House, Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) has called for an immediate cease-fire as well, but only 30 colleagues have joined him. Why is there so little debate here on events so controversial in the rest of the world? Are there debate and disagreement among American Jews? We hear from activists and journalists in the US and Israel.Making News: Israel Launches New Ground AttackIsrael has expanded the air and ground wars in Lebanon, and Hezbollah has fired more rockets into northern Israel than ever before. Ken Ellingwood is near Israel's northern border for the Los Angeles Times.Reporter's Notebook: Pentagon Completes Initial Probe into Haditha DeathsThe Naval Criminal Investigative Service has completed its initial probe of accusations that US Marines deliberately killed 24 Iraqi civilians, including unarmed women and children in the Iraqi town of Haditha. Gordon Lubold, Pentagon Correspondent for the independent weekly Army Times, has details on the Navy's criminal investigation.