GEP - Current Events Email - January 7, 2009

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Dear Educator:

Each month World Savvy will post current events resources for one topic, with links for articles at varying reading levels, a list of relevant standards, and discussion questions and curriculum that can be used to teach about the issues covered by that news story. For more in-depth current events resources, please preview and subscribe to our World Savvy Monitor, www.monitor.worldsavvy.org.

Israel Sends Troops into Gaza Strip

In December, Hamas began launching rocket attacks from its stronghold in the Gaza Strip into Israel. Israel retaliated with about a week of airstrikes and then on January 3, 2009, Israeli ground forces entered the Gaza Strip. While many world leaders are condemning the invasion as illegal, others are defending Israel's right to defend its borders, and this new surge in violence is sure to add another tangle to the ongoing struggle for peace in this region.

Advanced Article: ABC News
Intermediate Article: CNN
Beginning Article: Guardian

Background and multimedia:
Video and Audio - NPR: A seven part series that traces the history and conflicts in Israel: NPR
Profile: Gaza Strip: BBC

Discussion Questions:

1. Who is Israel targeting by sending ground troops in?
2. What ignited the bombing and invasion of Israel?
3. What did President Bush and President-Elect Obama have to say about the situation in Gaza? What has the United Nations Security Council done?
4. What other areas around Israel are Israeli officials concerned about?
5. What was the purpose of Israel targeting mosques?
6. There have been multiple protests in many cities around the world? Why do you think the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is such a controversial issue?

Curriculum:

1. PBS: Prospects for Peace in Israel-Palestine: PBS
2. Teachable Moment: www.teachablemoment.org
3. Outreach World: www.outreachworld.org
4. Choices Program: Shifting Sands - Balancing US Interests in the Middle East (for purchase): www.choices.org

California Standards:

World History: 10.10 - Contemporary Nation Building
U.S. History: 11.9 - Foreign Policy post-WWII

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The views expressed in the articles and resources listed above are not the views of World Savvy. They are listed here as resources for educators but do not necessarily reflect the opinions and priorities of World Savvy. If you ever want to unsubscribe from this list, just send an email to Kelly at kelly@worldsavvy.org.