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May 2005 Archives

It's hard to figure out what Arab and South American leaders (including Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas) were trying to accomplish by inserting unhelpful language about terrorism into the joint declaration that they issued from their recent summit in Brazil.

Q. What is the significance of Bush's reference to the 1949 armistice lines? Q. Does disengagement reflect a change in status for the Israeli police?

May 31, 2005 - Vol. 6, Issue 44

...57% of Israelis would be willing, 39% unwilling, to see Palestinian sovereignty over some of the Arab neighborhoods in East Jerusalem... READ MORE

Index and Link to all issues of APN's "Settlements in Focus" (Posted on 5/27/05) Ariel & the Ariel Bloc When was Ariel established? Ariel was established in 1978. Where is Ariel and how big is it? Ariel is located in the heart of the West Bank, running east-west along the top of a 3.1 mile-long ridge (1,805-2,231 feet above sea level). The settlement forms a long, narrow strip along the ridge; the western tip of the settlement (i.e., the ...

Legislative Roundup - May 27, 2005

I. Aid to the PA II. Congress Comments on PA Aid III. President Bush on the Record IV. Bills and Resolutions V. Dear Colleagues VI. Frist on the Record VII. Israel, China, and Defense Auth.

Rose Garden Picture

Presidents Bush and Abbas shake hands as guests and reporters look on (May 26, 2005)

See news items and other information related to this visit, which drew lots of attention (and photographers)

"Where are the Outpost Proposals?" - June 2005

AD TEXT: On March 13, 2005, the Israeli cabinet voted to approve the recommendations of attorney Talia Sasson's report on illegal settlement outposts and to set up a ministerial committee to deliver a detailed proposal for action within 90 days. June 11th marks the end of the 90 day period. Guess what? There's no sign of the outpost action proposal in sight. The Israeli people deserve better. Outposts are new settlements that were built in the occupied ...

May 26, 2005 - See the transcript of remarks and Q & A

May 26, 2005 - Transcript of President Bush and President Abbas' remarks and responses to press questions

RAMIFICATIONS OF... 1) the Palestinian Legislative Council new electoral system? 2) A "Red-Dead Canal"?

May 23, 2005 - Vol. 6, Issue 43

THE 60% SOLUTION:...the disengagement plan has regained historic level of support in Israel; 60% said they support disengagement, while just 27% are against it...MORE

I'm not a lawyer by training, but I know one when I see one. For far too long, many American officials involved in Arab-Israeli peacemaking, myself included, have acted as Israel's attorney, catering and coordinating with the Israelis at the expense of successful peace negotiations. If the United States wants to be an honest and effective broker on the Arab-Israeli issue, than surely it can have only one client: the pursuit of a solution that meets the needs and requirements of both sides.

Americans for Peace Now (APN) today welcomed a new policy position in favor of Israel's disengagement plan that was formally adopted this morning as part of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee's (AIPAC) 2005 Action Agenda.

Legislative Roundup - May 20, 2005

I. New Bills and Resolutions; II. House Mark-Up; III. Dear Colleagues (including on Disengagement); IV. Frist on the Record (Jordan)

Two interesting programs sponsored by Tikkun

Americans for Peace Now (APN) expressed its concern about reports in the Israeli press that the Israeli government is moving forward with construction of a fence that will connect the West Bank settlement of Maaleh Adumim to Jerusalem, thereby unilaterally carrying out a de facto annexation of this territory. APN works to enhance Israel's security through peace and to support the Israeli Peace Now movement.

Surveys indicate that a majority of Israelis support Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's plan to evacuate settlements from Gaza and part of the West Bank, while a majority also expects even more settlements will be removed after the current round is over.

5/13/05 - Innaugural issue of APN's bi-monthly report produced in cooperation with Peace Now's Settlement Watch project.

Chicago Peace Now President Gidon D. Remba Letter on Arafat & the Peace Process (November 22, 2004)

By Mark Rosenblum, APN Founder & Policy Director and Gidon D. Remba, Chicago Peace Now President. PLUS: Forward article that makes reference to the above.

Americans for Peace Now (APN) expressed its concern about reports in the Israeli press that the Israeli government is moving forward with construction of a fence that will connect the West Bank settlement of Maaleh Adumim to Jerusalem, thereby unilaterally carrying out a de facto annexation of this territory.

Q. What dynamic is developing re: Hizballah and the Lebanon-Israel border? Q. Why are Israelis indifferent to Sharansky resigning from Sharon's govt.?

May 16, 2005 - Vol. 6, Issue 42

PA DISCHARGING ARMS OBLIGATIONS: Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas has begun implementing his promise to collect weapons from Palestinians on Israel's wanted list. In Jericho, the suspects have handed their weapons in to the PA and pledged in writing not to return to terrorism, and in Tul Karm, implementation is in an advanced phase.

Legislative Roundup - May 13, 2005

I. Supplemental Update II. New Bills and Resolutions III. Senators on the Record IV. Kolbe on Palestinian Aid V. Frist on the Record VI. Reconciliation Event on the Hill

Frist characterized his visit as an "invaluable experience" learning about both the Israeli and Palestinian perspectives

SPECIAL: Frist Statement on Israel Visit

"The withdrawal plan is understandably controversial and difficult for many families living in Gaza. But I also believe that the withdrawal is a crucial step toward securing a lasting peace..."

SPECIAL: Frist Statement on West Bank Visit

"It is clear the Palestinians need one thing; that is, hope--hope for the future, hope for a better life, hope for a more secure life. They need their economic services improved. They need their social services improved. They need to believe there will be tangible benefits from choosing dialog over violence."

May, 2005: See the Rabbis' thoughtful letter, an update from October 2004

"Which Side Are You On?" by Mark Rosenblum

Professor Rosenblum, APN Founder and Policy Director, speaks to the challenges in the lead up to Israel's disengagement this August, and for supporting APN

For David Ben-Gurion and the other brave Zionists who founded the State of Israel, peace between Israel and its Arab neighbors was such a fundamental goal that it was enshrined in the country's declaration of independence.

May 9, 2005 - Vol. 6, Issue 41

ABBAS GRADUALLY REINING IN TERROR, SAYS ISRAELI MI DIRECTOR; FRIST IN FOCUS; GRAVE CONCERNS; SHARP SURGE IN SETTLER VIOLENCE; THE KUMBAYA INDEX; FATAH PRIMED FOR PRIMARIES...

Q. How does Hamas' success in elections influence Israel, PLO/PA, and US? Q. ...the British academics boycott of two Israeli universities...?

Legislative Roundup - May 6, 2005

I. Supplemental Update II. New Resolutions III. Frist on the Record

On May 3rd, House and Senate conferees agreed on a compromise version of HR 1268, which includes an aid package to the Palestinians and others in the Mideast

SPECIAL: Update on Supplemental

On May 3rd, House and Senate conferees agreed on a compromise version of HR 1268, which includes an aid package to the Palestinians and others in the Mideast

May 2, 2005 - Vol. 6, Issue 40

Settling For Violence; More Cops On The Settlement Beat; Mothers Of Intervention; School For Slow Learners; Arms Wrestling With Terror; Israeli-Palestinian Trade Up 37%; Israeli-Palestinian Businessmen Gobble Up Cooperation With Turkey...

Q. Why is the IDF deploying elite units to the Egyptian border? Q. Where does Syria's Lebanon withdrawal leave Israel's northern security concerns?