Justin Morahan writes... On the Jewish Sabbath, this morning, The Israeli Defence forces launched a massive missile attack on Gaza killing at least 140 people.

The attack came as a surprise even to Israelis. The Israeli newspaper Haaretz put the number of dead at 155 or more. There was little or no warning when the "strike" began at 11.30 a.m. Israeli time.

Television footage showed dead bodies scattered on a road and wounded and dead being carried away by distraught rescuers.

The Israel Defense Forces said that the airstrikes "will continue, will be expanded, and will deepen if necessary."

Egypt has now opened its long-sealed border with Gaza to allow in the wounded for medical treatment.

According to reports, the Hamas Government buildings were targeted as were the police headquarters with heavy casualties in both locations. Police Chief Tawfiq Jabber is among the dead. A spokesman said that the police compound in Gaza City had been hosting a graduation ceremony for new personnel when it was attacked.

Related Links:
Ewa Jasiewicz (Free Gaza Movement) writes at UK Indy: 'As I write this, Israeli jets are bombing the areas of Zeitoun and Rimal in central Gaza City. The family I am staying with has moved into the internal corridor of their home to shelter from the bombing....' read more
• also see and hear an MP3 speech of Ewa's at Dublin's Speakers' Square, June 2004

Where's Caoimhe Butterly?
According to FreeGaza.org she is most likely in Gaza at the moment.
UPDATE #1:A credible report tells us that Caoimhe is safe in a third country.
UPDATE #2: Caoimhe will be on a ship with 16 others traveling from Cyprus with Humanitarian Aid to break the Israeli Blockade of Gaza - read more at FreeGaza.org
UPDATE #3: Israelis attack the ship 'The Dignity' - Caoimhe reported to be on board 'The Dignity has been surrounded by at least half-a-dozen Israeli warships. They are firing live ammunition around the Dignity, and one of the warships has rammed the civilian craft causing an unknown amount of damage.' more blogged below.
UPDATE #4: Goretti Horgan, Derry Anti War Coalition, writes us the following update...'Caoimhe contacted members of the Derry Anti War Coalition this morning as the boat limped towards Lebanese waters for repairs - it was too badly damaged by the Israelis' ramming to make it back to Cyprus .... The Lebanese government have said the boat could dock there. We had another phone call in Derry to tell us that they were now in Lebanese waters. Caoimhe says that the Free Gaza boat will set off from Lebanon again just as soon as repairs are complete – in a day, or two at the most.' - read more

Dublin Photo Series: Hundred take to the streets to show solidarity and mourn for the people of Gaza.
Read: 'I own a video camera, but today I discovered what a terrible cameraman I am. I can’t bring myself to film mangled bodies or faces drenched in tears. I just can’t. I start crying myself...' - A translated article by Vittorio Arrigoni at freegaza.org
Look: What was Guernica?

Contact Those Who Work For You

Contact.ie, a website for contacting politicians in Ireland, went live today. Indymedia.ie caught up with Mark Conroy, the site's owner, to discuss the site with him.

Related Links: Contact.ie

Were your children seen with this sign???

Reporting on Indymedia this evening, Andrew from the Workers Solidarity Movement (disguised as personal capacity) drew lessons from the large crowds who marched to Merrion Square in the bright and crisp December day.

How about a system where production is organised to meet people’s needs, where it would be regarded as insanity to have building workers idle while others go without adequate housing, where the idea of paying farmers not to grow food while hunger is still a daily reality in much of the world would be seen as immoral. This can only work when the means of producing and distributing wealth are owned in common, by all of society. That’s the meaning of socialism.
How about a system that takes socialism and freedom to be of equal value? One where people can do as they wish so long as they don’t interfere with freedom of others? One where you can have a direct say in making the decisions that will affect you? One where control is in the hands of the majority through democratic assemblies and councils? That’s anarchism.

...... will require the participation of many of our work colleagues, neighbours and friends. It is about the majority rejecting control over us by any minority group (whether it be employers or politicians). If we want the interests of the vast majority to be respected, then the vast majority must be in control.

Whatever, the anarchists and republicans were definitely along with the rest of us in learning something from na muinteoirí (teachers for our non-gaeilgeoir readers) today. Despite his intention to try and ignore our first answer and come back within a year with the same treaty for us to ratify the Offaly gentlemen currently holding the seal of Taoiseach (chieftan for the non-gaeilgeoir) will give up easy. You've always been thought to respect the elderly - now they're worth emulating.

Reports below the fold - add your own with the publish button. Add your photos and set your rights unlike most other sites.

Marchers Gather for Protest

The weather was good and the march got under way promptly at 12. Traffic into the city had been very heavy so it was obvious there was going to be a good turnout but nobody expected so many to come.

Related Links: 150 TCD students protest against Batt O’Keeffe, SU President welcomes him! | Public Meeting: Stand up Against the Cuts | Education on Indymedia.ie

He blocks access to our education,
we block his access to the opening
Image credits Hugh O'Brien
http://www.limerickblogger.ie/blog/2008/11/

"He blocks access to our education, we block his access to the opening. - Pa O' Brien ULSU President, advocate of a graduate tax and Fianna Fail member.

Related Links: Free Education for Everyone homepage | Limerick Blogger Report | Winter of discontent | March against Fee's