This week on Crossing The Line: we'll hear the conclusion  of a two-part talk given by author, lecturer and noted scholar Dr. Norman Finkelstein about the Israeli massacre on Gaza and the explanation and real reason for the attacks.

Then later in the podcast a poem by award-winning Palestinian American poet Suheir Hammad.

This week on Crossing The Line: we’ll hear part one of a two-part talk given by author, lecturer and noted scholar Dr. Norman Finkelstein about the Israeli massacre on Gaza and the explanation and real reason for the attacks.

Then later in the podcast a commentary by Mumia abu-Jamal regarding the siege on Gaza.

This week on Crossing The Line: Israeli elections were held on February 10^th and the “so-called” center right party of Kadima, headed by Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, holds a narrow lead over the far-right Likud Party and its head Benyamin Netanyahu to determine the next Prime Minister of Israel. But although both leaders come from different parties there are vast similarities between the two when it comes to dealing with the Palestinians, Phyllis Bennis a fellow at the Institute for Policy Studies will join us to talk about the elections and what might lie ahead.

Also this week, Israel has been accused of war crimes against the Palestinians during its 22 day assault on Gaza by a number of human rights groups. Dori Smith of Talk Nation Radio speaks with Zahir Jan Mohammed -- Amnesty International Advocacy Director of Middle East and North Africa -- about Israel's violations of international law.

This week on Crossing The Line, as President Barrack Obama stood before a crowd of 2 million giving his inaugural address, he pledged to work with those in the Arab and Muslim world towards peace. But absent in the message was any condemnation of Israeli atrocities committed on the Palestinians, the Electronic Intifada Ali Abunimah will join us to talk about the new administration, the recent massacre in Gaza and the prospects of peace in the region.

Also this week, we'll speak to Crossing The Line special correspondent Rami Almeghari about the current situation on the ground in Gaza after the 22 day siege.