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November 2008 Archives

The Director of GW's Institute for Middle East Studies talks about the constitutional and political standoff between Fatah and Hamas.
Q. Significance of PLO ad on the Arab peace initiative in Israel's major dailies? Q. If elected, what will be Likud's attitude on peace process?

November 24, 2008 - Vol. 10, Issue 13

PA REACHES OUT TO ISRAELIS; SECOND CHANCE FOR ARAB PEACE PLAN; LIKUD RISES IN THE POLLS; ISRAEL STRUGGLES TO RESPOND TO GAZAN ROCKETS; SETTLER SHOWDOWN; THE PRICE OF PEACE
Debra DeLee, APN President & CEO: "This unprecedented step by the Palestinian leadership sends two important messages..."

APN Ad for President-elect Obama

The ad was placed in national and local Jewish newspapers.
Public events included speaking at the Pasadena Jewish Temple & Center, Valley Beth Shalom, All Saints Episcopal Church, and The Jewish Federation
Fri. 12/12: Human Rights Shabbat, Pasadena Jewish Temple & Center; Sat. 12/13: Shabbat Shiur program at Valley Beth Shalom in Encino; Sun. 12/13: All Saints Episcopal Church, Pasadena
The head Peace Now denounced Zeev's action, saying: "It is inconceivable that an MP should break the law with impunity by using his parliamentary immunity."
The walled area is a construction site where a Los Angeles-based Jewish human rights organization...is building a Museum of Tolerance and Center for Human Dignity atop an ancient Muslim cemetery.
As expected, in the 'Land of Settlers', orders from the Defense Ministry are taken as mere suggestions.
Peace Now Member Noa Epstein said that she viewed the initiative as a "breakthrough"
These two articles were written by Sidney Topol and Leonard Fein, two APN Board Members

JTA: "P.A. advertises Arab League initative in Israel"

In response to the P.A. ad, Peace Now bought an advertisement in al-Quds, the largest circulation Palestinian newspaper, endorsing the Arab League initiative.

Washington Post: "Middle East Priorities For Jan. 21"

"We believe that the Arab-Israeli peace process is one issue that requires priority attention."
APN Spokesman Ori Nir: "...it is important that people look at his congressional voting record, and that record speaks for itself."

Leonard Fein received the 2008 Elizabeth Wyner Mark Peace Award on November 13, 2008, in Boston

Here are his remarks:

James Carroll - Recipient of Press for Peace & Justice Award

Merle Goldman and James Carroll at APN Event
Author and Journalist Carroll was honored at APN's Elizabeth Wyner Mark Peace Award Dinner in Boston

APN's Elizabeth Wyner Mark Peace Award Dinner

APN's event in Boston included presentation of the Peace Award to Leonard Fein.
Arab residents of the East Jerusalem neighborhood of Silwan and Peace Now activists had petitioned the court...

NEWSFLASH: Peace Now Stops E. Jerusalem "Dig"

Peace Now has scored another important legal victory to stop a dangerous settlement scheme in an area of East Jerusalem...

APN to Bush: Prevent Further Gaza Escalation

Debra DeLee, APN President & CEO: "President Bush and Secretary Rice have perhaps their last chance to show real leadership and seriousness in the Israeli-Palestinian arena."
Maneuverings of Israeli political left & right; Hamas PM Haniyeh "accepting Israel within 1967 borders"; New round of Israel-Hamas/Gaza fighting

November 17, 2008 - Vol. 10, Issue 12

PEACE NOW STOPS CONTROVERSIAL "DIG"; COURT RULES AGAINST HEBRON SQUATTERS; FIGHTING SETTLER TERRORISM; IT'S THE PEACE PROCESS STUPID; THE BULLY PULPIT;

NY Times: "Settlers Who Long to Leave the West Bank"

"...these besieged West Bank settlers, widely viewed as an obstacle to peace, want only one surprising thing: to get out."

APN Legislative Round-Up Recess Edition - November 14, 2008

I. Jews and the 2008 Presidential election; II. Jews in the 111th Congress; III. Spotlight on Rep. Rahm Emanuel (D-IL)
What are the most important steps President-elect Obama should now take? Plus President George W. Bush's Middle East legacy, and how Israelis wanted the election to turn out...

REMEMBERING RABIN

Excerpts from the Israeli commemoration and related press reports on the 13th year remembrance of Yitzhak Rabin

November 10, 2008 - Vol. 10, Issue 11

ADVICE TO OBAMA; REMEMBERING RABIN; DUCKING THE OUTPOST ISSUE; WHAT'S IN A NAME?; FATAH-HAMAS TALKS BREAKDOWN; `TICKING TUNNEL' TESTS TRUCE
Jews voted for Barack Obama in overwhelming numbers, refuting speculation that Republican John McCain would peel away Jewish support due to concerns about the Democrat's stance on the Middle East and other issues.

Jerusalem Post: "Peace Now chief to run on Labor list"

Peace Now Secretary-General Yariv Oppenheimer announced Thursday that he would run for a seat in the Labor faction in the party's upcoming primaries.

NY Times Editorial: "The War Within"

"In September, Jewish militants tried to assassinate Professor Zeev Sternhell, a supporter of Peace Now, which documents settlement construction."

NY Times Editorial: "The War Within"

Militant Jewish settlers in the West Bank clash regularly with Israeli police who remove illegal homes. Israeli security officials have warned of possible assassination attempts on peace-seeking Israeli leaders.
Peace Now's Secretary-General Yariv Oppenheimer said his group planned to ask the High Court to set a final date for the evacuation of Migron.
"At the same time, extremists passed out provocative flyers offering a hefty reward for the murder of Peace Now activists."
Program features Sari Bashi of Gisha - Legal Center for Freedom of Movement & Said Almadhoun from American U, Washington College of Law
"These are not dreams, hopes or visions. These are simply the things we all need - American Jews and our government alike - to understand. Now."
DeLee speaks about the victory of President-elect Obama and the political and policy ramifications
DeLee speaks about the victory of President-elect Obama and the political and policy ramifications

APN Congratulatory Letter to President-Elect Obama

"On behalf of Americans for Peace Now (APN), we warmly congratulate you on your historic victory in the race for the White House..."

APN Congratulatory Letter to President-Elect Obama

"On behalf of Americans for Peace Now (APN), we warmly congratulate you on your historic victory in the race for the White House..."
Urge him to immediately upon taking office begin efforts to advance Israeli-Arab peace and regional stability
The U. of Utah law professor on how Israeli law enforcement authorities could and should effectively combat extreme right-wing Jewish terrorists
Law Professor and retired Iraeli Lt Col Amos Guioura
The University of Utah law professor explains how Israeli law enforcement authorities could effectively combat extreme right-wing Jewish terrorists and urges them to do so.

Special Issue Brief on U.S. Election by Yossi Alpher

What are the most important steps President-elect Obama should now take? Plus President George W. Bush's Middle East legacy, and how Israelis wanted the election to turn out...
APN warmly welcomed Senator Barack Obama's historic victory and called on him to open a new chapter in America's policy toward the Middle East
After Mort's comments are APN's press release condemning attacks on Khalidi, and a related article from "The Hill"
Hagit Ofran, a senior member of Israel's oldest peace movement, Peace Now: "Unless we move quickly towards the two-state solution, we face disaster. We have no choice."
Peace Now Secretary General Yariv Oppenheimer called on the television channels not to broadcast the full interview.

Forward: "As Iran Policy Shifts, Activists Reassess"

In March 2007, Americans for Peace Now, a pro-peace advocacy group based in Washington, was the first to call on the administration to engage with Syria.
Peace Now, which monitors settlement expansion in the West Bank, says there are more than 100 outposts across the West Bank, ranging in size from a few mobile homes to ones with permanent homes and dozens of families.
Q's re: Reconciling American raid inside Syria and Israeli-Syrian desire to renew peace talks; Renewed interest in Arab peace initiative

November 3, 2008 - Vol. 10, Issue 10

THE PRO-ISRAEL CANDIDATE; POLLS SHOW ISRAELIS UNDECIDED, RIGHT-WING ENERGIZED; OLMERT, ASSAD TO RENEW PEACE TALKS; BUSH BLOCKS PETRAEUS; ISRAELI PRAISE FOR PA SECURITY EFFORTS; WILL THEY KILL AGAIN?; CONSIDERING CAIRO

Convergence of Hope & History

Oops.

I didn't know that APN was planning to announce the dinner and award in this space. I think I'd have objected if I'd been given the chance. But, truth to tell, I'd have objected weakly.

In any event, what's done is done.

Now, some substance, and then some process.