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Boston's Morning Newsletter
Pressley, Warren speak out against Israeli government, as Rafah offensive looms
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Good Morning Boston,
We’ve made it to March (and Friday), with spring in the air — from the weather to the impending opening of Sullivan’s.
But before we get to the weekend, we’re turning our attention to the Israel-Hamas war, where the recent, ongoing violence has reignited emotional pleas for peace here in the commonwealth:
From Massachusetts to the Middle East: Some of the Bay State’s top elected officials are speaking out against the Israeli government in their most forceful words yet. And they’re pressuring President Joe Biden to take action. As WBUR’s Anthony Brooks reports, a tearful Rep. Ayanna Pressley joined fellow progressives on Capitol Hill yesterday to — again — demand a ceasefire, after Israeli troops fired on a crowd of Palestinians seeking food in Gaza City. Over 100 people were killed. “We cannot look away,” Pressley said. “Think of these babies who are sleeping in cribs, wearing diapers or running for their lives when they were struck by a missile or shot by a sniper. What has happened to our humanity?” You can watch a clip of her remarks here.
- The latest: Pressley’s comments come as Israel prepares a military offensive in the southern Gazan city of Rafah, where over a million displaced Palestinians have been sheltering. Gazan officials said yesterday the Palestinian death toll in the war — ignited by Hamas’ Oct. 7 attacks, which killed 1,200 Israelis — now exceeds 30,000.
- Pressley has been calling for a ceasefire for months, but she was also joined yesterday by Sen. Elizabeth Warren, who took to the Senate floor to denounce Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s “moral and strategic failure” in the conflict. In a 10-minute speech, she called for a ceasefire and a two-state solution: “Netanyahu cannot bomb his way to the return of the hostages.”
- Meanwhile in Massachusetts: WBUR contributor Olivia Deng reports that the entire staff of The Sinclair boycotted the music venue in Cambridge this week for hosting a concert to raise funds for the “healing and rebuilding of Israel.”
Zone defense: Wrentham isn’t bucking the MBTA Communities Act just yet, but the town is asking for an exception. As State House News Service reports, Wrentham’s Select Board followed through on plans to send a letter to Gov. Maura Healey this week, arguing the law’s zoning changes would clash with the town’s existing development plans, as well as its “small-town New England charm.”
- What the Healey administration thinks: A spokesperson for the state’s Office of Housing and Livable Communities reiterated in an email that compliance is mandatory: “We need every community to do their part to address our housing affordability crisis.”
- The state also refuted Wrentham’s claim that the housing law “requires us to increase our population by as much as 13% without any state funding.” The state said the law only requires zoning changes and they’ve given out $6 million in grants to help communities plan. (Wrentham did not apply for the grants.)
Heads up: Sumner Tunnel weekend closures are returning. The tunnel from East Boston and downtown Boston will be closed from 11 p.m. tonight until 5 a.m. on Monday. Give yourself a little extra time if you’re headed to or from Logan airport (or take the T).
- Currently, this weekend’s closure is the only one on the schedule ahead of the second, two-month 24/7 closure this summer. But based on the past comments of state highway officials, we should probably expect a handful more weekend closures this spring. (MassDOT says they’re still finalizing the schedule.)
This weekend’s MBTA adventure: Shuttle buses are replacing all Red Line service between Park Street and JFK/UMass this weekend so the T can do more tunnel inspections. And yes, that disruption will coincide with the ongoing partial Green Line closure west of Copley, which will continue through next Friday. (So many shuttles!)
- The silver lining: The commuter rail will be free to ride between JFK/UMass and South Station all weekend. The T is also leaving fare gates open at both Park and JFK/UMass for outbound riders.
- One other thing: Shuttles are replacing commuter rail service between South Station and Framingham on Saturday. Click here for details (and the most confusing MBTA diversion graphic yet).
P.S.— The Massachusetts state lottery announced a new themed scratch ticket that offers a chance to win a trip to Martha’s Vineyard based on this movie. Do you know the answer? Then take our Boston News Quiz and test your knowledge of this week’s stories.
