What does this say about "giving" land to Palestinians and a "ceasefire"?
Continue reading NEW: They Say, We Say re: "Gaza War".
December 2008 Archives
The Chief Political Columnist of Ha'aretz analyzes the Israeli cabinet's decision not to seek an immediate ceasefire
with Hamas and proposes a formula for a long-term arrangement between Israel and the Palestinian government in Gaza.
Continue reading AUDIO NOW: APN Interview with Akiva Eldar re: Gaza.
The Chief Political Columnist of Ha'aretz analyzes the Israeli cabinet's decision not to seek an immediate ceasefire
with Hamas and proposes a formula for a long-term arrangement between Israel and the Palestinian government in Gaza.
Continue reading APN Interview with Akiva Eldar on Gaza Situation.
Following a recent APN Action Alert on the topic, and an APN letter to the Simon Wiesenthal Center (SWC) from APN, signed by a number of important Israelis and American Jews, many APN activists have been (and are still) writing to the SWC to protest the construction of the "Museum of Tolerance" on the site of the Mamilla cemetery in Jerusalem. In response, they are receiving from the SWC an emailed document entitled "Important Facts on the Israeli Supreme Court Ruling in Favor of the Museum of Tolerance," which purports to refute the various criticisms of the project.
APN agrees that the facts are important, so my brilliant friend and colleague in Jerusalem, Danny
Seideman, and I have produced a Q & A primer entitled "Setting the Facts Straight Regarding the Museum of
Tolerance" -- we review all of the facts (and claims) in detail, and also provide a
compendium of articles (analysis, opinion, and reporting) that may be of use to people who care as much as we do
about this subject. Enjoy!
Debra DeLee, CEO of Americans for Peace Now (APN), warned that Israel could get "bogged down in an open-ended mission
in Gaza."
Continue reading NY Jewish Week: "Gaza War Surges As Questions Mount".
APN responds point-by-point to the Simon Wiesenthal Center's position on building its Jerusalem museum on a Muslim
cemetery
The prominent Israeli author and peace activist talks about toeing the line of self-control and protecting the lives of
the innocent
Continue reading Ha'aretz: "Stop. Hold your fire" by David Grossman.
THE GAZA WAR; CAN ISRAEL'S OPERATION SUCCEED?; TIME FOR AN EXIT STRATEGY?; AVOID A GROUND INVASION; PRICE TAG; SYRIA
TRACK ON HOLD; MILITARY OPERATION STOKES ARAB STREET; ELECTION CAMPAIGN PAUSES;
Continue reading December 29, 2008 - Vol. 10, Issue 18.
"...APN defended Israel's right to strike Hamas installations in Gaza, but said that such actions would be
counterproductive and damage Israel's security in the long run."
Continue reading JTA: "Dovish groups criticize Gaza attack".
Said Americans for Peace Now president Debra DeLee, "Any real resolution to this crisis will require Israel and Hamas
to engage, directly or indirectly, to achieve a ceasefire and to further engage in a post-ceasefire political process."
Continue reading The Nation: "Obama Should Engage Now for Middle East Peace".
Take Action NOW
Gaza War Issue: Alpher answers questions on the causes, impact, and repercussions
Continue reading Hard Questions, Tough Answers with Yossi Alpher - December 29, 2008.
"With heavy hearts we find ourselves today re-issuing this same plea for rational, responsible and above all sensible
policy to avoid further escalation and potential catastrophe"
"The ongoing battles will endanger the lives of the residents of the Gaza vicinity. The current round will end in a
ceasefire agreement and it is better to sign it now," the Peace Now statement said.
Continue reading Ynet: "Peace Now: Cease fire immediately".
Tell Rabbi Marvin Hier the Simon Wiesenthal Center should find a different location in Jerusalem to build a Museum of
Tolerance
Continue reading ACTION ALERT - Museum of Tolerance: Respect Muslim Cemetery in Jerusalem.
To build over graves is "...disturbing, foolish, and divisive. It is a mark of hubris, and it is dangerously wrong."
APN sent a letter to the Simon Wiesenthal Center urging not to build on top of a historic Muslim cemetery.
SOMETHING TO TALK ABOUT; INTOLERABLE; SETTLEMENT GROWTH; NUMBERS GAME; POWER TO THE PRESS
Continue reading December 22, 2008 - Vol. 10, Issue 17.
Q's re: Prospects of talking to Hamas, and likelihood of new conflict with Hezbollah?
Continue reading Hard Questions, Tough Answers with Yossi Alpher - December 22, 2008.
"This is a critical juncture. President Bush and Secretary Rice have perhaps their last chance to assert America's
leadership in the Israeli-Palestinian arena.
Continue reading APN to Bush: Help Extend Gaza Ceasefire; Stabilize Gaza Strip.
Israeli watchdog groups like Peace Now and Yesh Din have tracked sales of Palestinian land in recent years...
Continue reading Associated Press: "West Bank land deal leads to California".
Peace Now's Settlement Watch Director discusses Hebron settler controversy and violence
Continue reading Interview with Hagit Ofran by the Weekly Radio Newsmagazine.
"For the Middle East, a region where peace initiatives rise and fall but hardly ever resurface, the current comeback of
the Arab League's peace initiative is a big deal."
Check out my new op-ed / analysis in the Washington Times on how Obama could leverage the Arab League's peace initiative to kick-start the peace process.
Doug Bloomfield was not the only one who called the Conference of Presidents and the Daily Alert that it sponsors on ignoring the settlers' Hebron rampage. The New York Jewish Week http://www.thejewishweek.com/viewArticle/c51_a14235/Editorial__Opinion/Editorial.html (link has expired) editorialized on it and the Forward published a news story. Blogger Richard Silverstein's posting on this is also worth checking out.
Alpher reacts to APN's "Middle East Blueprint for the first 100 days of the Obama Administration", and considers the
reaction of other Israelis and those in the region.
Continue reading Hard Questions, Tough Answers with Yossi Alpher - December 15, 2008.
Hagit Ofran of Peace Now said she believed...that under Barak's watch, settlers had been allowed to attack
Palestinians, including in Hebron over the last few months, with fairly few consequences.
Continue reading Jerusalem Post: "Barak: Lawless settlers punished lightly".
Jewish groups, including the left-wing Meretz Party, the Kibbutz Movement and Peace Now, and local regional councils
have called on Internal Security Minister Avi Dichter to cancel the march.
Continue reading JTA: "'Jewish pride' march postponed".
Article includes mention of Peace Now's legal fight to disqualify for Knesset Rabbi Shalom Dov Wolpe on the grounds of
racism
Continue reading Forward: "Hebron Rioters Inspired by Radical Settler Leaders".
Ori Nir, a spokesman for the dovish Americans for Peace Now, a conference member, expressed hope that its leadership
would eventually weigh in on the issue. "It's not too late," he said.
Continue reading Forward: "Presidents Conference Silent on Hebron".
TRUCE FUTURES; LIKUD SLIPS, LABOR RISES; LIKUD OUTFLANKS BIBI; SETTLERS IN CRISIS;
Continue reading December 15, 2008 - Vol. 10, Issue 16.
APN's Blueprint provides "very specific ideas" and is a "serious, practical tool" for the Obama Administration
For years, the "Daily Alert" (from the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs) has largely ignored news unfavorable to the
increasingly violent settler movement.
Continue reading Washington Jewish Week: "Only the news we see fit to print".
A letter to the President-Elect from APN's Chair and the President & CEO with a call to action
"For Israel to remain a viable Jewish, democratic state requires a territorial compromise," explained (APN Spokesman)
Mr. Nir.
Continue reading Baltimore Jewish Times: "Baltimore Zionism Seeks New Meaning".
"...a number of groups including Meretz, the Kibbutz Movement, Peace Now, and the Megiddo and Menashe regional councils
have called for the cancellation of the rightist rally in the city."
Continue reading Ynet: "Umm al-Fahm invites Jews ahead of rightist rally".
Doug Bloomfield rips the Conference of Presidents' Daily Alert in this week's Washington Jewish Week for the Conference's reluctance to even mention settler violence. Interestingly, today's Daily Alert did mention the Hebron rampage; better late than never.
Today's Ma'ariv published a poll indicating that Likud is starting to slip in terms of how many seats it would capture in the upcoming Knesset elections.
Continue reading Likud losing luster?.
Those familiar with this space will want to know the very sad news that our frequent participant, Meir Carasso, died several months ago. Herewith, an appreciation that appeared in the Daily Camera (Boulder, CO) on September 7:
Continue reading A Personal Note.
What an Obama Administration Can and Should Accomplish in the Middle East Policy Arena in Its First 100 Days
What an Obama Administration Can and Should Accomplish in the Middle East Policy Arena in Its First 100 Days
Recommendations for specific steps to significantly advance peace and stability in the Middle East and lay the
groundwork for the next four years.
Continue reading APN Releases Blueprint for Obama's First 100 Days in Office.
Listen to a recording of APN's 12/9 Briefing Call with the Head of Peace Now's Settlement Watch program.
Continue reading AUDIO NOW: Hagit Ofran Briefing "Lessons from Hebron".
The Head of Peace Now's Settlement Watch program reviews the chain of events leading to Thursday's eviction of settlers
from a Palestinian-owned Hebron property.
Continue reading Hagit Ofran Briefing "Lessons from Hebron".
On 12/1/08, Cohen writes: "Getting to such a two-state deal at, or close to, the 1967 borders will require concerted U.S. involvement from day one of the Obama administration. Its tone should be one of tough love, with the emphasis on tough."
Q. Who won and who lost in the Hebron incident? Q. ...alternatives to 2-state solution reflected in the internal
Israeli political debate?
Continue reading Hard Questions, Tough Answers with Yossi Alpher - December 8, 2008.
Tues., Dec. 9, 2:00 p.m. (Eastern Time): Ofran is head of Peace Now's Settlement Watch program
Continue reading CONFERENCE CALL: Lessons from Hebron - a Discussion with Hagit Ofran.
JERUSALEM TENSIONS ON THE RISE; ISRAELIS FOR PALESTINE; SETTLER VIOLENCE BLOWBACK; DEAR HILLARY; THE IMPORTANCE OF
BEING ERNEST; TO BE PRO-ISRAEL
Continue reading December 8, 2008 - Vol. 10, Issue 15.
Dovish pro-Israel groups, including Americans for Peace Now, Ameinu and J Street, also backed the evacuation, as did
the Reform movement's Religious Action Center.
Continue reading JTA: "Jewish groups back Israel on Hebron".
APN repeats its call on all American Jewish groups to join in voicing their opposition to the militant settlers'
behavior.
Continue reading APN Commends Jewish Groups for Denouncing Settler Violence.
Letter to the editor in response to "New resolution urges P.A. to stop supporting terror"
Continue reading Washington Jewish Week: APN Clears the Record on HRes 758.
Article mentions threat to kill members of Peace Now
"It is time to evacuate the settlers from Hebron," Peace Now said.
Continue reading AFP: "Israel works to defuse Hebron settler standoff".
Items related to illegal take-over by settlers of a house in Hebron (March, 2007); Israeli authories evacuation of them
(December, 2008)
Continue reading Illegal Hebron House & Evacuation.
"Hebron started to burn"; "Dangerous escalation"; Read excerpts from articles in Yedioth Ahronoth and Maariv
Continue reading The Settlers' Hebron Rampage: Quotes from the Hebrew Press (12/5/08).
Illegal settlers respond with violence against Israeli forces and "retaliatory" rioting and vandalization of
Palestinian property
Continue reading Peace Now NEWSFLASH: Israel evicts Hebron squatters.
Areikat responds to questions on the Palestinian Authority's expectations from the Obama administration and the Arab
Peace Initiative
Maen Areikat - Coordinator General of the Palestinian Negotiation Affairs Department
Presentation shows maps, pictures, and details of the new Hebron Settlement and its impact
Continue reading Powerpoint on "The New Hebron Settlement in 2007".
APN sends condolences to the people of India and to the families of Israeli, American and other nationals who were
murdered by terrorists in Mumbai.
APN strongly condemned the West Bank settlers' violent attacks against Israeli law enforcement personnel, Palestinian
civilians and Muslim holy sites.
Continue reading APN Condemns Settler Violence; Urges U.S. Jewish Groups to Weigh in.
See a list with links, where they exist, of the actions taken by APN...
Continue reading APN Actions to Push the Obama Transition Team on Mideast Peace.
Getting to such a two-state deal...will require concerted U.S. involvement from day one of the Obama administration.
Its tone should be one of tough love, with the emphasis on tough.
Continue reading New York Times Op-Ed: "Try Tough Love, Hillary" by Roger Cohen.
"A party that does not respect the law should not be allowed to become a parliament member," said (Peace Now's Yariv)
Oppenheimer.
Continue reading Jerusalem Post: "New right-wing party aims to promote Greater Israel".
APN responds to questions about the construction controversy of the Museum of Tolerance in Jerusalem
Continue reading NEW ITEMS for APN's Online Publication "They Say, We Say".
Tell her you support American leadership in efforts to shepherd Arab-Israeli peace. Ask her to begin efforts to advance
Israeli-Arab peace and regional stability upon taking office.
Continue reading ACTION ALERT: Write Clinton. Mideast Peace Must be a Top Priority.
Q's re: Lessons from the terrorist attack on Mumbai, and the infrastructure of Israeli-Palestinian peace negotiations.
Continue reading Hard Questions, Tough Answers with Yossi Alpher - December 1, 2008.
APN President & CEO Debra DeLee: "Obama's selection of Clinton sends an unmistakable signal to the world that he is
serious about re-empowering U.S. diplomacy."
Continue reading APN Welcomes Clinton, Jones Appointments; Urges Push for Mideast Peace.
DEAR PRESIDENT-ELECT OBAMA; MIGRON COMPROMISE UNDER FIRE; RIGHT-WING ON THE RISE, LEFT-WING CAN'T DECIDE; HEBRON HEATS
UP; HEAR NO EVIL, SEE NO EVIL;
Continue reading December 1, 2008 - Vol. 10, Issue 14.
by Daniel Seidemann, Jerusalem Attorney & Founder of Ir Amin, and Lara Friedman, APN Director of Policy & Gov't
Relations
Continue reading Washington Jewish Week: "Real tolerance needed in Jerusalem".
A far-right settler rabbi on Wednesday asserted that Peace Now Secretary General Yariv Oppenheimer deserves to be
jailed on charges of treason.
Continue reading Ha'aretz: "Settler rabbi: Peace Now chief should be jailed for treason".
An attorney for the landowners and Peace Now, who both petitioned the High Court on the matter, said the temporary
ruling paves the way for an eviction order.
Continue reading Ha'aretz: "Barak: Hebron house will be vacated by force, if needed".
Peace Now harshly criticized the compromise, saying the settlers and Defense Minister Ehud Barak, whose ministry
arranged the deal, were merely "buying time."
Continue reading Israeli & Int'l Articles on Compromise on Illegal Migron Outpost.
Written by Lara Friedman, APN Director of Policy & Gov't, and Hagit Ofran, Director of Peace Now's Settlement Watch
Continue reading Ha'aretz: "A mockery, not a compromise".