The abstaining countries included: Bosnia, Burkina-Faso, Cameron, Gabon, Japan, Mexico, Norway, Belgium, South Korea, Slovenia and Uruguay. (full article…)

The match marks the 60th anniversary of the United Nations UNRWA agency for Palestinian refugees. But instead of a normal squad of 22, Hamzeh had to be content with 16. And seven of those from the Gaza Strip needed three days to get into Belgium, held up by Israeli checkpoints and administrative burdens to get travel permits, he said. (more…)

“We Americans,” he said in reference to this far-off war. Then he quickly caught himself and added, almost sheepishly, “and NATO.” (more…)

European plans to turn Israel into a “privileged” partner enjoying special political, diplomatic and trade links were frozen by Brussels today in protest at the Israeli onslaught in Gaza. (more…)