AI researchers continue investigating attacks against southern Israel and are currently documenting the true scale of devastation wrought on civilians in Gaza. The stories they report are harrowing.

In the early afternoon of January 4th, three young paramedics walked through a field on a rescue mission to save a group of wounded men in a nearby orchard. A 12-year-old boy, standing by his house, assisted the operation by pointing to where the men could be found. An Israeli air strike on the area killed all four.

The bodies of the four victims could not be retrieved for two days. Ambulance crews who tried to approach the site came under fire from Israeli forces.

Our researchers later traveled to the scene of the strike with the two ambulance drivers who witnessed the attack. They met with the boy’s distraught mother and found the remains of the missile. The label of the missile read, “guided missile, surface attack” and cited the United States as the country of origin.

This is just one of many similar stories.

Under the Geneva Conventions, medical personnel searching, collecting, transporting or treating the wounded must be protected and respected in all circumstances. Clearly, this was not the case on Jan. 4th.

Since we last wrote, more than 87,000 of you have written Congress and former administration officials. These emails, along with the massive outpouring of letters from around the world from other Amnesty sections, are making an impact. Just this week:

• the United Nations pledged $613 million in aid for Gaza
• 60 members of Congress signed a letter to Secretary of State Hillary of Clinton calling for humanitarian support for Gaza
• And yesterday ago, the US pledged $20 million in aid

We have a small window of opportunity to build on this momentum: urge Secretary Clinton and Ambassador Susan Rice to push for a full-fledged independent investigation.

This investigation is critical for many reasons, not the least of which is the clear evidence of the use of white phosphorous, as well as the mounting evidence of the misuse of US arms. As you read this, Amnesty researchers continue documenting the use of arms, and we expect an action specifically calling on Congress to investigate the misuse of US weapons in this conflict in the coming weeks.

Everyone is responsible for the protection of international law. The US government must not turn a blind eye to possible war crimes and crimes against humanity. It should support an independent international inquiry by the United Nations into allegations of violations of international humanitarian and human rights law – by all groups participating in the conflict.

The story of the paramedics and the young boy is not an anomaly. Write Secretary Clinton and Ambassador Rice today and urge accountability for abuses in Gaza and southern Israel now.

Right on cue, the Israeli army claims a ceasefire is in effect, although their army still brutally occupies Gaza, with at least 700 of the 1,300 dead civilians.  Wouldn’t want to have Obama’s joyful anointing interrupted by a little bloodshed, would we?  Wouldn’t want to have another bombing of more United Nations buildings or children in a schoolyard while Obama is swearing to obey the Constitution, would we now?

“The president-elect is closely monitoring global events, including the situation in Gaza. There is one president at a time, and we intend to respect that.”

- Brooke Anderson, chief national security spokeswoman, 1/3/2009 (Chicago Tribune) while Barack wearing shorts and playing golf in Crawford, TX – I mean Hawaii.

“President-elect Obama strongly condemns today’s terrorist attacks in Mumbai, and his thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families, and the people of India. These coordinated attacks on innocent civilians demonstrate the grave and urgent threat of terrorism. The United States must continue to strengthen our partnerships with India and nations around the world to root out and destroy terrorist networks. We stand with the people of India, whose democracy will prove far more resilient than the hateful ideology that led to these attacks.”

- Brooke Anderson, Chief National Security Spokesperson, 11/26/2008 (change.gov)

The Barackcuda repeated the same condemnation of terrorism, along with, in fairness, the “There is one president” spiel on 11/28/2008.  But my point is made. Apparently, if Hamas or the IDF are doing any terrorizing, it merited only silence from the President-elect.  Obama is a hypocrite with a silver tongue, not a leader.

“I urge you to ensure that the Security Council issue no statement and pass no resolution on this matter that does not fully condemn the rocket assault Hamas has been conducting on civilians in southern Israel…

“All of us are concerned about the impact of closed border crossings on Palestinian families. However, we have to understand why Israel is forced to do this… Israel has the right to respond while seeking to minimize any impact on civilians.

“The Security Council should clearly and unequivocally condemn the rocket attacks… If it cannot bring itself to make these common sense points, I urge you to ensure that it does not speak at all.”

- Senator Obama, January 2008 to UN Ambassador Khalizad (barackobama.com)

“Those who threaten Israel threaten us. Israel has always faced these threats on the front lines. And I will bring to the White House an unshakeable commitment to Israel’s security…  I will ensure that Israel can defend itself from any threat – from Gaza to Tehran.”

-  Barack Obama to the AIPAC Israel lobby, June 4, 2008. (barackobama.com) So, it’s “with-us-or-against-us” just like George, eh?

“Defense cooperation between the United States and Israel is a model of success, and must be deepened. As president, I will implement a Memorandum of Understanding that provides $30 billion in assistance to Israel over the next decade – investments to Israel’s security that will not be tied to any other nation. Going forward, we can enhance our cooperation on missile defense. We should export military equipment to our ally Israel under the same guidelines as NATO.”

- Barack Obama to the AIPAC Israel lobby, June 4, 2008 (barackobama.com) (Photo link with General Petraeus over Iraq)

“Barack Obama and Joe Biden strongly support the US-Israel relationship, a bond that is mutually beneficial to each country as we share common values, histories, and a dedication to democracy. They believe that our first and incontrovertible commitment in the Middle East must be to the security of Israel, America’s strongest ally in the Middle East.”

- Obama-Biden “Israel Fact Sheet” (barackobama.com)

What about Iraq, any “first priorities” there?  Where in the Constitution does it say we must commit to the national security of Israel?  They are armed to the teeth and quite possibly the world’s third most powerful nuclear power. Somehow, I think they will be OK.

If any doubt remains try watching The Truth About the 2009 Gaza Massacre and decide for yourself.  Enjoy the truth while those who thrust it in your face remain unsilenced.  This may not always be the case.  Speaking for myself, some will not go down The Road to Serfdom quietly.

The propaganda program Obama will shortly launch may easily become the most complex and massive in the history of mankind, and if he’s smart he will start with his own web pages.  But at least he means well.