Read APN's Analysis on this major Israeli political development
July 2008 Archives
Peace Now petitioned the High Court of Justice on Tuesday demanding that the IDF remove civilians living in the former
central bus station in Hebron, which has been used as an army base since 1983.
"On the eve of the (Christians United for Israel conference) event, Americans for Peace Now also asked Lieberman to
take a pass."
Continue reading JTA: "Poll: Jews down on Lieberman, Hagee".
"This is not about exchanging niceties here and there. This is a situation where the state of Syria is telling the
state of Israel that we desire to end this state of war between us..."
Continue reading Ynet, Jpost, & Times (UK) Articles re: Ambassador Moustapha Interview.
The interview was a top item in Israel Army Radio's news report and covered prominently by nearly every mainstream news
organization.
Continue reading Extraordinary APN podcast sparks hope for Syria talks.
"Syria's Ambassador to the U.S., Imad Moustapha, Monday told the American branch of Peace Now that a peace deal with
Israel, Syria and Lebanon was possible."
"Peace Now...said the construction, if approved...as seems likely, would signal the construction of the first new
settlement in more than a decade."
Continue reading The National (UAE): "Israel `chokes' Jordan Valley".
The new round of talks is gearing up a day after Syria's Ambassador to the U.S., Imad Moustapha, told the American
branch of Peace Now that Syria is ready to make peace with Israel.
Write Secretary Rice - Tell her that American needs to hold Israel to its commitments to freeze settlement activity
Q's re: Security situation in Jerusalem; A productive Greek-Turk peace process that seems more successful than
Israeli-Palestinian.
Continue reading Hard Questions, Tough Answers with Yossi Alpher - July 28, 2008.
Syria's ambassador to Washington Imad Moustapha gave a rare interview with a pro-Israel American organization, speaking
with APN Spokesman Ori Nir
"The negotiations are a historic opportunity for Israel to make peace, not just with Syria and Lebanon, but with the
whole Arab world,"
Peace Now letter: "building in Maskiot is against the commitment of the government not to establish any new settlements
and not to expand existing ones."
Continue reading Jerusalem Post: "New settlement moves a step closer to legitimacy".
China Central Television: "Israel plans to build new West Bank settlement"
07-26-2008
Israel's Defense Ministry has revived a plan to build a new Jewish settlement in the occupied West Bank. The plan, which had previously been shelved due to U.S. pressure, has drawn condemnation from Palestinians and Israeli human rights groups.
Israeli officials said a ministry committee approved the construction of 20 housing units in Maskiot, an abandoned military base in the Jordan Valley, for some of the ...
SYRIAN PEACE OFFER; WHAT'S IN A `SETTLEMENT FREEZE'?; SETTLERS BATTLE IDF; OBAMAMANIA IN THE HOLY LAND; LIVNI SLIDES IN
THE POLLS; PRISONERS DILEMMA
Continue reading July 28, 2008 - Vol. 9, Issue 46.
in a June 2007 poll conducted by James Zogby for Americans for Peace Now, 63% of American Jews supported a "settlement
freeze" and 81% support Israel-Syria peace negotiations
Continue reading Guardian (UK): "Who speaks for American Jews?".
I. Bills and Resolutions; II. Senate FY09 ForOps Bill -- Committee Markup; III. Senate Letter on Iran Interests
Section; IV. Specter on the Record on Iran and Syria-Israel Talks; V. Frank Letter to Olmert re: Settlements
Continue reading APN Legislative Round-Up - July 25, 2008.
Yariv Oppenheimer, head of the Israeli group Peace Now, said pressure on the government from the settler movement often
appeared to outweigh international pressure against expansion.
"...there is another potential presidential candidate who could do much today to jump-start Israeli-Palestinian
negotiations, without the sides having to wait for foreign mediation."
Continue reading Ha'aretz: "Barghouti, still the go-to guy" by Jo-Ann Mort, APN Officer.
Syria's ambassador to Washington says that an Israeli peace agreement with Syria would open the door for Israel to
comprehensive peace
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Syrian Ambassador Imad Mustapha
Americans for Peace Now said it hoped Saturday's meeting was "the beginning of real engagement rather than an isolated
exception."
"Under Secretary Burns' participation in last weekend's Geneva meeting is a step in the right direction if it signals
that the Bush Administration has decided to engage with Iran at a senior level ..."
[In my last contribution to the preceding round, I said I'd now turn to the Israeli Arab question. But that is, obviously, an ongoing issue, whereas rescue of Corporal Glad Shalit is an immediately urgent question. Accordingly, I turn here to that matter, postponing consideration of the Arab question for another time.]
Negotiations between Israel and Hamas (via Egypt) regarding the freeing of Corporal Gilad Shalit, now a Hamas prisoner for more than two years, continue. It is difficult to know whether a resolution is close or even whether it is likely. There are considerations that point in different directions, and even thinking about the matter is complicated by the anguished debate that surrounds the recent negotiations with Hezbollah that led to the return of the bodies of Eldad Regev and Ehud Goldwasser and the freeing of Samir Kuntar and others.
Continue reading "At What Price, Corporal Shalit?".
SYRIA TALKS TO RESUME; ISRAELI, AMERICAN INTERESTS AT STAKE; IN HEBRON, A DOUBLE STANDARD FOR ISRAELIS?; WANT THE
JEWISH VOTE? SUPPORT ISRAELI-PALESTINIAN PEACE; CUFI IS NOT KOSHER; THE COST OF CONFLICT; OCCUPATION CORRUPTS;
Continue reading July 21, 2008 - Vol. 9, Issue 45.
Instead of a tour, a confrontation ensued between settlers, police and individuals from the tour outside the city,
where police and soldiers were waiting to turn the buses around.
Q's re: The return of the remains of two Israeli soldiers related to the status of UN Res. 1701; Number and status of
Palestinian prisoners held by Israel
Continue reading Hard Questions, Tough Answers with Yossi Alpher - July 21, 2008.
I. Bills and Resolutions; II. Notification of Defense Deals with Israel; III. CUFI in DC; IV. Yes, Another Iran
Sanctions Bill; V. State Department Responds to Price-LaHood Letter; VI. Sen. Kucinich Eulogies a true Peace-Maker
Continue reading APN Legislative Round-Up - July 18, 2008.
American friends of Israel are looking forward to CHANGE AND LEADERSHIP THEY CAN BELIEVE IN.
Continue reading APN July Ad - 2008.
APN issued an action alert, urging its activists in the states and districts of Senator Lieberman and Reps. Engel and
Pence to contact their elected officials and ask them not to speak at the event, which opens Sunday.
Continue reading APN to Members of Congress: Don't Speak at Hagee Event.
"Israel is struggling to persuade America to help it negotiate peace with an Arab state? Unfortunately, yes."
"To support Israel and isolate Iran, President George W. Bush should offer direct support for the Israeli-Syrian
initiative."
Continue reading Wall Street Journal: "It's Time to Talk to Syria".
Among those calling on lawmakers to turn down the proposed resolution is Americans for Peace Now, a dovish Jewish group
that is pushing for a peaceful solution to the standoff with Iran.
The resolution, introduced by Rep. Gary Ackerman (D-NY) and Rep. Mike Pence (R-Ind.), initially gathered more than 230
cosigners, but several backed away after Americans for Peace Now and other groups argued that the resolution called for
a virtual naval blockade of Iran.
Continue reading New York Jewish Week: "Hot Rhetoric, Mixed Signals On Iran".
The National Jewish Newpaper "The Forward" is offering a special subscription rate and will donate to APN for every
subscription
Continue reading Open the "Forward" - Support Americans for Peace Now.
In a letter sent to Rice on July 15, APN and six other pro-Mideast peace groups wrote that "Peace and a better future
for both Israelis and Palestinians will depend on an educated and productive Palestinian community."
We strongly urge that the United States broaden its diplomatic efforts in order to persuade Israel to permit the travel
of all students whose travel presents no genuine security threat.
Continue reading APN & Coalition Letter on Gaza Students to Sec. Rice.
"Everyday, the Annapolis process is becoming more virtual than it was before," said Peace Now executive director Yariv
Oppenheimer.
Continue reading Jerusalem Post: "Ariel gets OK for 27 new factories".
CONTINUE THE CEASEFIRE?; SOBER THINKING ON IRAN; PURSUE PEACE, WIN HEARTS AND MINDS; SETTLEMENT CONSTRUCTION BOOM; HEAR
NO EVIL, SEE NO EVIL
Continue reading July 14, 2008 - Vol. 9, Issue 44.
Q's re: Direction/options for Iran's nuclear program, and Israe's stake in French President Sarkozy's "Union for the
Mediterranean"?
Continue reading Hard Questions, Tough Answers with Yossi Alpher - July 14, 2008.
I. Bills and Resolutions; II. State-of-Play of H. Con. Res. 362; III. APN on H. Con. Res. 362; IV. Ackerman on H. Con.
Res. 362; V. Hearings and Markups; VI. Spotlight on Israel-Europe Relations; VII. Kirk, Harman Push Missile Defenses
for Israel
Continue reading APN Legislative Round-Up - July 11, 2008.
Peace Now, a veteran peace organisation, is inviting people who have never been to the West Bank to take one-day tours
of the settlements, checkpoints, separation barrier, segregated road system (some roads for Israelis, others for
Palestinians) and other paraphernalia that support Israel's presence in the occupied territories.
Continue reading The Economist: "The battle for the territories".
The June 14-20 trip included meetings with top Israeli and Palestinian leaders, as well as visits to key locations
Continue reading APN Fact-Finding Mission to Israel - 2008 Report.
APN commended Rep. Robert Wexler (D-FL) and Barney Frank (D-MA) for courageously distancing themselves from a
controversial Iran sanctions resolution that some interpreted as demanding a blockade on Iran...
Continue reading APN Commends Reps Wexler, Frank for Taking on Iran Resolution.
Now and again, I step aside to enable someone else to take the lead in our conversation. This time, I do so with both pleasure and trepidation. Our guest is Bernard Chazelle, whose essay is a very dark and at the same time enlightening essay on Israel/Palestine. It appeared in Counterpunch last month; I am happy that Professor Chazelle has enabled us to reprint it here.
Why Israel Won't Accept a Two-State Solution
By BERNARD CHAZELLE
Continue reading "Why Israel Won't Accept a Two-State Solution" by Bernard Chazelle.
"...the plan has met with severe criticism by Peace Now."
Continue reading Yedioth Ahronoth : "Over 1,800 New Apartments Over the Green Line".
Ofran talks about Peace Now's tours that she is leading to the West Bank to educate Israelis on the spiraling
settlement activity there.
Ofran talks about Peace Now's tours that she is leading to the West Bank to educate Israelis on the spiraling
settlement activity there. The first trip, earlier this week, was met by violent settlers who threw rocks on Peace
Now's chartered busses shattering windows.
"The blood boils, the stomach clenches at the sight of Efrat Onterman, the baby who in an instant became an orphan on
Wednesday...."
"...I am not willing to leave even the 'slightest crack' open for this president to unilaterally set this nation down
another disastrous path of war in Iran."
Continue reading Huffington Post: "Iran Resolution Must Change" by Rep. Robert Wexler.
Urge Members of Congress to Oppose Passage of H. Con. Res. 362
Continue reading ACTION ALERT (7/9/08): "Wanted: A Smarter Policy on Iran".
"(my) army service took me to the heart of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict....I am writing to enlist your support in
ending the stalemate..."
Continue reading Simcha Levental Letter about his IDF Service and Support of APN.
PRISONER EXCHANGE; CALLING UNCLE SAM; ISRAELIS SHIFT ON GOLAN WITHDRAWAL?; WEST BANK FIELDTRIP; NORMALIZATION?; DIVIDED
JERUSALEM;
Continue reading July 7, 2008 - Vol. 9, Issue 43.
Q. What does Egypt hope to accomplish with Hamas in Gaza? Q. What is at stake in prisoner exchanges with Hamas and
Hezbollah?
Continue reading Hard Questions, Tough Answers with Yossi Alpher - July 7, 2008.
(Peace Now's) Hagit Ofran argues that the barrier was designed not only to protect Israel but also to protect many of
the settlers, who are now included within the barrier's reach.
A first tour to settlements and outposts in the Binyamin region was held over the weekend with 80 participants.
Continue reading Ynet: "Peace Now organizes settlement tours".
"The Defense Minister is giving the settlers everything they ask for and is avoiding any confrontation with them," said
Hagit Ofran, who heads the Peace Now settlement-watch team.
Continue reading Jerusalem Post: "Barak OKs Hebron Yeshiva dorm project".
"Yariv Oppenheimer, the 32-year-old director of Shalom Achshav - Peace Now in Israel, met us for coffee on Emek Refaim
in Jerusalem..."
Continue reading Boston Advocate: "Peace Now".
The petition could establish a troubling precedent because it relies on official West Bank land registries obtained
from the government by Peace Now
Continue reading New York Jewish Week: "All Eyes On Ofra".
Peace Now Secretary General Yariv Oppenheimer said: "In an attempt to cling to every spot, the settlers are breaking
new records and importing settlers from foreign countries.
England's first professor of Israel studies was a founder of the British Friends of Peace Now
How to summarize a 16-day visit to Israel that was half political and half personal?
Four observations:
1. As I have been writing with ever-greater emphasis, political conversation is at the barest minimum. Save for the political class itself and the passionate few on either side of the spectrum, people are not tuned in at all. And the reason for that, I am convinced, is that there is nothing new to say. Nothing. Everything that can be said has been said, over and over. Does it really matter whether there are 550 check-points and barriers or 600? Even the announcement of thousands of new building permits elicits no more than a yawn. Sarkozy makes a very bold speech to the Knesset, affirming France's enduring friendship towards Israel, denouncing Iran, and stating, quite emphatically, that there must be no more expansion of the settlements - and beyond taking vague notice that he has come and he has gone, little of substance is reported, less registers. (The splash of his drop-dead gorgeous wife is another matter.) The newspapers continue to scream their headlines, outrages of corruption here, new threats to Israel's safety there, but it is as if they are trying to rouse a somnolent public. And who can say the public is wrong to display such massive indifference to daily events? News of corruption and threats is anything but new, hence not really news, Peace with Syria? Let's wait to see whether the spastic talks go anywhere before we let ourselves get excited, before we become emotionally invested. Four members of the Knesset go to Hebron to assert the right to witness the indecency of Jewish settlement in the city's heart, and very hot water is poured on them. The event is not regarded as worth reporting at all.
Continue reading Four Observations from Israel.