Twitter-based news conference on Gaza conflict

This is a republication of an original article written by Aram Zucker-Scharff in United Press International on Thursday, January 22, 2009.

Late last month the Israeli Consulate in New York held a Twitter-based news conference, inviting anyone to ask questions of the Israeli government about the conflict in Gaza. While activity around the conference blossomed, President-elect Barack Obama’s Twitter account has had little to say since Election Day last year.

The conflict in Gaza has become a growing international issue. Israel only recently sent in ground troops as part of Operation Cast Lead, while Hamas’s missiles have slowly made their way deeper into Israel than ever before. Though the Israeli government has declared a cease-fire for the operation, the conflict — and the conversation surrounding it — has continued. The repercussions have become global as supporters on both sides broadcast their sentiments publicly over the Internet.