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May 2008 Archives

APN called on the government of Israel to allow students from the Gaza Strip, recipients of Fulbright grants, to travel to the United States
Peace Now Youth Dialogue Coordinators discuss their recent U.S. tour (also published by Common Ground News Service)
We need a scorecard these days to keep track of which enemies Israel is negotiating with, which it isn't and why. And the same goes for the U.S.

JTA Breaking News: "Peace Now: Back Syria talks"

Americans for Peace Now urged the U.S. Jewish foreign policy umbrella to back Israel's negotiations with Syria.
In response, Peace Now Secretary General Yariv Oppenheimer said, "Despite the attempts of settlers to determine the reality around them, and to exhaust the legal system, even the appeals committee is forced to order an evacuation, due to their inability to prove ownership of the property."
In the 2000 to 2007 period, 2,900 demolition orders were issued against Israeli settlers in the West Bank, but just seven percent were implemented, according to Peace Now.
"We won," said attorney Michael Sfard, who represents both Peace Now and the former Palestinian shop owners, who rented the space from the Custodian of Abandoned Property until 2000.

Israel-Syria Items in 5/27/08 Middle East Peace Report

Highlights of news coverage on the Israeli-Syrian peace talks from the Israeli and Middle-Eastern press
SPECIAL EDITION ON THE ISRAEL-SYRIA PEACE TALKS

May 27, 2008 - Vol. 9, Issue 37

BREAKING UP IS HARD TO DO; WITH OR WITHOUT BUSH; PEACE NOW, OR WAR LATER; PA FIGHTS INSECURITY; INVESTING IN PEACE
SPECIAL EDITION ON THE ISRAEL-SYRIA PEACE TALKS
An item-by-item analysis from the Ha'aretz Political Columnist

Ha'aretz Editorial: "Leave no stone unturned"

This is the moment to tell Olmert: Turn over every stone. Let the investigations continue as if there were no peace talks, and let the peace talks continue as if there were no investigations - and perhaps it will turn out to be a blessing in disguise.
"It is fair to say that his foreign policy is much more progressive than you would have expected," said Tzaly Reshef, a founder of Peace Now and chairman of one of the country's large publishing houses.

APN Legislative Round-Up - May 23, 2008

I. Bills and Resolutions; II. FY08 and FY09 Supplemental (HR 2642) -- Senate action; III. Ackerman on Egypt; IV. House Debate on H. Res. 1194; V. Norpac on the Hill VI. Tributes to Israel at 60 Continue

AUDIO NOW: APN Interview with Professor Galia Golan

The prominent Israeli political scientist, and one of the founders of Peace Now, explains why peace talks with Syria are serious and promising.

APN Interview with Professor Galia Golan

The prominent Israeli political scientist, and one of the founders of Peace Now, explains why peace talks with Syria are serious and promising.

"Desperation or Maturity?" - Israeli-Syria Peace Talks

There is no reason to be especially optimistic regarding the official resumption of negotiations between Israel and Syria regarding the disposition of the Golan Heights. We have, after all, been here before, down to just a few nettlesome issues that at the time proved impossible to resolve. True, as Churchill famously said (and as Obama seconds), "To jaw-jaw is always better than to war-war." But if we are to believe the freshet of reactive statements in the wake of the formal announcement of the talks, mediated by Turkey, what is happening now goes well beyond "jawing." Voices from both nations have made it clear that both know exactly what the "concessions" that are being demanded of them are. Knowing those concessions and nonetheless being prepared to announce the negotiations suggests either desperation or maturity.

In a series of secret meetings in Europe between September 2004 and July 2006, Syrians and Israelis formulated understandings for a peace agreement between Israel and Syria.
In pursuing this brave course, the government of Israel deserves encouragement and support. In particular, the active support of the U.S. Administration is vital.
"Circumstances have been ripe for resuming peace talks between Israel and Syria for almost two years. Precious time was lost because of the White House's objection to Israeli engagement with Syria..."
"...according to Hagit Ofran, settlement expert for the Israeli advocacy group Peace Now, ...the development would 'isolate East Jerusalem and cut the northern West Bank from the southern West Bank'."

May 19, 2008 - Vol. 9, Issue 36

NOT AFRAID OF `APPEASEMENT'; CEASEFIRE OR GAZA INVASION; ABBAS POPULARITY CONTINUES TO FALL, HAMAS HOLDS STEADY; SETTLER SHAKEDOWN;
Americans for Peace Now, Brit Tzedek v'Shalom and the recently established J Street lobby group strongly back the letter.
"While conservative, hawkish groups presume to speak for American Jews, Americans for Peace Now actually represents the positions held by the majority of our community," said Ori Nir, a spokesman.

Ynet: "New outpost in South Mount Hebron"

The Peace Now movement said in a statement, "The settlers aren't wasting any time and continue to change reality. Every day which goes by distances Israel and the Palestinians from the possibility of implementing the two-state vision and makes reality impossible.
Alpher offers his take on President Bush's speech in the Knesset, and a possible Olmert-Abbas agreement regarding final status borders...

APN Legislative Round-Up - May 16, 2008

I. Bills and Resolutions; II. FY08 and FY09 Supplemental (HR 2642); III. 52 Members Sign Price-LaHood Letter; IV. Legislating Israel's "Qualitative Military Edge" (HR 5916); V. Dear Colleagues and Letters; VI. Israel at 60 Tributes Continue; VII. House Delegation Headed to Israel
"...construction in the blocs is clearly barred under Phase I of the road map, which states: '[The government of Israel] freezes all settlement activity (including natural growth of settlements).'"
The letter calls on the President to redouble his efforts to achieve peace, and in particular, to seek a solution to the crisis in southern Israel and Gaza...
APN President and CEO, Debra DeLee said: "We are pleased that House members are keeping their eyes on the ball..."
Ben-Ami is executive director of J Street, a lobby and political action committee that promotes peace and security in the Middle East.

May 12, 2008 - Vol. 9, Issue 35

WILL OLMERT SURVIVE?; RACE FOR SUCCESSION; BUSH VISIT; LEBANON HEATS UP, AGAIN; NO CEASEFIRE IN GAZA; OCCUPATION WOES
Q. ...corruption allegations against PM Ehud Olmert affect government stability and the peace process? Q. ...clashes involving Hezbollah in Lebanon affect Israel?
Eldar: Because of the new criminal investigation against the prime minister, Olmert is "paralyzed" when it comes to making important decisions on issues of war and peace.
Eldar: Because of the new criminal investigation against the prime minister, Olmert is "paralyzed" when it comes to making important decisions on issues of war and peace.
The administration has been saying all the right things, but seems to have been avoiding backing up the rhetoric with action," said Ori Nir, spokesman for Americans for Peace Now.
Americans for Peace Now, Brit Tzedek v'Shalom and the recently established J Street lobby group, strongly back the letter.

Ynet: "Less-than-diplomatic welcome for Bush"

A report issued by the Peace Now movement last month asserts that since the Annapolis peace conference, there have been tenders issued for the construction of 750 housing units in east Jerusalem and an unprecedented wave of construction is evident in Jewish neighborhoods on the eastern side of the city.
All about Settlement Blocs, their ongoing construction, legality, and more...


Israel at 60 - An Ongoing Conversation

Perhaps it was because of the heightened awareness of Israel during the week of its 60th anniversary celebration. Twice in one week?

Last night, at a reception, a friend approached me. "I'm having a very hard time with Israel," she said out of nowhere. "Ben [her husband] says it's because I can't let go of the myth and I can't accept the reality." "Oh," I replied, "the old Yerushalayim d'malah versus Yerushalayim d'mata problem, eh?" (For those readers less Jewishly literate than she, our tradition posits two Jerusalems, the upper or heavenly Jerusalem and the lower or earthly Jerusalem.)

She is assuredly not alone. As Israel's reality becomes more and more difficult to ignore, those raised on the myth have some serious adjusting to do - or a serious internal conflict to feel.

APN Legislative Round-Up - May 9, 2008

I. New Pro-Peace Dear Colleague; II. FY09 Supplemental Budget Request; III. Tributes to Israel at 60; IV. Ackerman on Middle East Funding
DEADLINE EXTENDED TODAY -- Call your Representative now!
Article on U.S. visit of Peace Now's Youth Dialogue Co-Coordinators, Noa Epstein and Abed Erekat
Read essays from Michael Walzer, Hagit Ofran, and Daniel Levy as APN marks Israel's 60th anniversary and offers you essays from Michael Walzer, Hagit Ofran, and Daniel Levy on the link between the quest for peace and Israel's next 60 years.

APN to Bush: Don't Forget Gaza Strip

APN called on President Bush to use his visit to Israel next week to help stabilize the situation in the Gaza Strip while advancing Israeli-Palestinian negotiations and improving conditions in the West Bank.
Congress Members Price & Lahoud ask their collegues to sign a letter to President Bush on the eve of his trip to the Middle East

Israel at 60 Essay from Hagit Ofran

Ofran is part of the next generation of leaders in the Israeli peace camp; directing Peace Now's Settlement Watch, and holds leadership positions in the Meretz Party

Israel at 60 Essay from Daniel Levy

Levy served as a policy advisor to former PM Ehud Barak, an Israeli negotiator, and was drafter of the Geneva Initiative

Israel at 60 Essay from Michael Walzer

Walzer is a professor at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton and one of the foremost political thinkers

"Dirty Iceberg" - Israeli Government Corruption

While I work on a rather longer piece that tries to deal with the post-Zionist position put forward with real passion last evening at a conference of Jewish social justice activists - and with the discomfort of many in the gathering with any talk at all of Israel - a quick question.

Here we sit as Ehud Olmert apparently faces indictment on charges of corruption. By now, indictments of senior Israeli officials have lost their shock value. Shlomo Benizri, a member of Knesset (Shas) who was once Minister of Health and then Minister of Labor and Social Welfare (and once attributed two earthquakes to Israel's tolerant attitude towards homosexuality) has been sentenced to 18 months in jail for receiving bribes, breach of faith, conspiracy to commit a crime and obstruction of justice and moral turpitude. Tzachi Hanegbi (Kadima), currently chair of the Knesset Committee on Security and Foreign Affairs and formerly Minister of Health, of Justice, of Environment and of Public Security, is under indictment for having made 69 political appointments to the Environment Ministry, at least 51 of which were members or relatives of members of Likud's central committee. He's accused of fraud and breach of trust and, separately, of election fraud, giving false testimony, taking a false oath and attempting to exert unlawful influence on a voter. (The 33-page indictment includes a list of 321 witnesses for the prosecution.) Former President Katsav has chosen to reject the plea bargain he reached with the A.G. months ago, in which he confessed to sexual harassment, forcible indecent assault and harassing a witness; now it appears that the original charge of rape will be reinstated. Avraham Hirchsohn, former Minister of Treasury (and also of Tourism), will stand trial for fraud, theft, falsifying corporate documents, breach of trust and money laundering, in connection with his alleged theft of some four million shekels from the labor union he headed.

And all those are merely the tip of a very large and very dirty iceberg.

Now, on the one hand, Israel ranks 30th from the top of a list of 179 countries on a scale of corruption - a scale that goes from least corrupt (the very top) to most corrupt. It scores 6.1 on a 10 point scale, and 5.0 is regarded as the cut-off point between "acceptable" levels of corruption and unacceptable levels. By that accounting, things are not as bad as they seem.

But quite plainly, they are not very good.

I wonder whether there is, perhaps, a Jewish propensity for "beating the system." For a very long time, we were essentially required to beat the system in order to stay alive. We had to cut corners, cheat, lie, get away with things. The systems where we lived were oppressive, and we developed the wits to endure. Might there not have been a near-genetic selection for the live-enhancing ability to make it in spite of the oppression?

Has anyone done anything like systematic work on this question? Is the question simply absurd, meaning there is no such distinctive propensity?

Your thoughts?

APN Legislative Round-Up - May 2, 2008

I. Bills and Resolutions; II. Dear Colleagues; III. Israel at 60 Tributes

May 5, 2008 - Vol. 9, Issue 34

OLMERT'S LATEST WOE; ROADBLOCKS; FLATLINE (Palestinian GDP); THE AMAZING RECURRING OUTPOST;
Q's re: the most significant strategic challenges for Israel in the next 10 years; Corruption investigation that could end the Ehud Olmert Gov't; More on Turkey as Israel-Syria mediator...
Sunday, May 4th program in Brooklyn and May 5th in Manhattan with the young, dynamic co-coordinators of Peace Now's Youth Dialogue
APN is thrilled at the establishment of J Street, a new political action committee (PAC) that will work to advance Israel's security through peace. Jeremy Ben-Ami, J-Street's executive director, explains how the new organization complements the work of educational pro-Israel pro-peace groups such as APN.
APN is thrilled at the establishment of J Street, a new political action committee (PAC) that will work to advance Israel's security through peace. Jeremy Ben-Ami, J-Street's executive director, explains how the new organization complements the work of educational pro-Israel pro-peace groups such as APN.
The former director general of Israel's Foreign Ministry, now the Chairman of the Israel Syria Peace Society, analyzes the significance of the recent contacts between Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and President Bashar Assad of Syria.