This week in power: Ceasefire rejected and Communal fast

A roundup of the most talked about political and global stories in the Jewish world this week:

Is peace possible?
“Israel resumed its air strikes in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday a day after holding its fire in deference to an Egyptian-proposed cease-fire deal that failed to get Hamas militants to halt rocket attacks,” ” target=”_blank”>wrote William Saletan at Slate. Others pointed elsewhere: “Israel's airstrikes can lead nowhere but to more provocation, more retaliation, and more tragedy for all sides. And that's why this war is so stupid,” ” target=”_blank”>said Eric H. Yoffie at TIME.

Fasting together
Despite the violence abroad, some have made an effort to bridge the gap between Jews and Muslims by unifying for a ” target=”_blank”>wrote Saul Austerlitz at Tablet. The message was heard. “By fasting together today, we both look inward to the Spirit that is ONE and often can best be seen when we turn our attention away from material distractions —  and look as well into each other’s faces, seeing and hearing the Breath of Life Who unites us all,”