This week on Crossing The Line, President Bush wraps up a five day visit to the Middle East by chastising Arab leaders at the World Economic Forum and pledging a two-state solution with respect to the Israeli/Palestinian conflict, but with the lowest approval rating of any active US President what are the odds of this happening? Joel Beinin, Director of Middle East Studies at American University in Cairo will join us to talk more on the subject.

Also this week, more than 100 countries descend upon Dublin, Ireland for a two-week conference that will lead to banning cluster bombs, but the United States and Israel are not amongst the attendees, activist Daniel Allen will speak about their absence and the significance of this historic event.

And finally, Sen. John McCain has rejected the endorsement of the controversial right-wing minister John Hagee. But just who exactly is John Hagee; why haven't the mainstream media given his comments regarding Hitler being sent by God to drive the Jews to Israel as much scrutiny as the Rev. Jeremiah Wright issue, and what is the impact of Hagee's Christian lobby CUFI regarding the Palestinian/Israeli conflict? We'll talk with journalist Sarah Posner about these issues.

This week on Crossing The Line, they claim to be the political arm of the pro-Israel, pro-peace movement in the United States, seeking a more just and equitable situation for both Israelis and Palestinians, but is the new pro-Israeli lobby group J-Street any different from AIPAC? Crossing The Line speaks to Nadia Hijab about this new face on Capital Hill.

Also this week, Israel recently concluded its week-long celebrations marking 60 years of Independence. Dignitaries from around the world, including George W. Bush, traveled to the region to partake in the festivities and offered words of encouragement for peace. But in our second segment guest, Alice Rothchild, wonders if peace might be accelerated if Israelis looked at things from the perspective of the occupied rather than the occupiers. All that’s coming up, but first the news from Palestine.

Thursday, May 15th, 2008, commemorates 60 years of the Palestinian Nakba. In 1948 eighty-five percent of the Palestinians living in the areas that became the state of Israel became refugees. More than 500 Palestinian villages were depopulated and later destroyed to prevent the residents return. Today there are a total of 7 million Palestinian refugees, dispersed throughout the world - the largest and longest running refugee problem yet unresolved.

60-years later, Israel continues to occupy and colonize Palestinian land through the construction of Jewish only settlements and the Wall in the West Bank. The Gaza Strip has been turned into the world's largest open-air prison. Israel violates international law and commits ongoing war crimes and crimes against humanity. And Palestinians abroad are the world's oldest refugee population, making-up more than one fourth of all refugees.

Today on a special edition of Crossing The Line we'll hear testimony from survivors looking back and Palestinian youth of today looking forward.

This week on Crossing The Line, on April 24th, the Israeli army and extremists settlers opened fire on non-violent peace activists trying to reclaim an abandoned army outpost; several people were injured and two were arrested, we'll speak with one of them on this week's show.

Also this week, Israel marks 60 years since the state was founded with numerous parties, foreign dignitaries, speeches and plays; but not far from this festive celebration, another commemoration is taking place, its called the Nakba, 60 years of Palestinian dispossession we'll speak to Motassem Daoul a Palestinian freelance journalist about the commemoration demonstrations, the peace process and the ongoing reality on the ground.

Then later in the podcast The War's Toll, compiled and read by Scott Burgwin of the Stand Independent News Review.

This week on Crossing The Line, former US President Jimmy Carter meets with the head of Hamas in Syria, insisting that the movement must be included in peace negotiations. The visit has drawn criticism from both the US and Israeli governments; but in the long run what if anything will this historic visit achieve? Phyllis Bennis – a noted speaker and author on Middle East issues - joins us in our fist segment to talk about it.

Also this week, The United Nations Relief Works Agency suspends food shipments to Gaza as a result of fuel shortages. The question now is; what will happen to an already disastrous humanitarian situation for the 1.4 million residents of this coastal region? UNRWA spokesperson Adna Abu-Hasna will speak about the suspension of food and its impact on the lives of Palestinians living in Gaza.

Plus, after a 57 days, Palestinian Political Prisoner Dr. Sami Al-Arian, ends his hunger strike. We'll talk with his daughter Laila about his health and his family's ongoing quest to be reunited.

Then later in the podcast, The War's Toll compiled and read by Scott Burgwin of The Stand Independent News Service.