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December 2008 Archives

NEW: They Say, We Say re: "Gaza War"

What does this say about "giving" land to Palestinians and a "ceasefire"?

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.

APN Interview with Akiva Eldar on Gaza Situation

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.

Setting the Record Straight Regarding the Museum of Tolerance

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!

NY Jewish Week: "Gaza War Surges As Questions Mount"

Debra DeLee, CEO of Americans for Peace Now (APN), warned that Israel could get "bogged down in an open-ended mission in Gaza."
APN responds point-by-point to the Simon Wiesenthal Center's position on building its Jerusalem museum on a Muslim cemetery

Ha'aretz: "Stop. Hold your fire" by David Grossman

The prominent Israeli author and peace activist talks about toeing the line of self-control and protecting the lives of the innocent

December 29, 2008 - Vol. 10, Issue 18

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;

JTA: "Dovish groups criticize Gaza attack"

"...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."

The Nation: "Obama Should Engage Now for Middle East Peace"

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."
Take Action NOW
Gaza War Issue: Alpher answers questions on the causes, impact, and repercussions
"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"

Ynet: "Peace Now: Cease fire immediately"

"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.
Tell Rabbi Marvin Hier the Simon Wiesenthal Center should find a different location in Jerusalem to build a Museum of Tolerance
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.

December 22, 2008 - Vol. 10, Issue 17

SOMETHING TO TALK ABOUT; INTOLERABLE; SETTLEMENT GROWTH; NUMBERS GAME; POWER TO THE PRESS
Q's re: Prospects of talking to Hamas, and likelihood of new conflict with Hezbollah?
"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.

Associated Press: "West Bank land deal leads to California"

Israeli watchdog groups like Peace Now and Yesh Din have tracked sales of Palestinian land in recent years...

Interview with Hagit Ofran by the Weekly Radio Newsmagazine

Peace Now's Settlement Watch Director discusses Hebron settler controversy and violence
"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.

Jerusalem Post: "Barak: Lawless settlers punished lightly"

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.

JTA: "'Jewish pride' march postponed"

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.
Article includes mention of Peace Now's legal fight to disqualify for Knesset Rabbi Shalom Dov Wolpe on the grounds of racism

Forward: "Presidents Conference Silent on Hebron"

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.

December 15, 2008 - Vol. 10, Issue 16

TRUCE FUTURES; LIKUD SLIPS, LABOR RISES; LIKUD OUTFLANKS BIBI; SETTLERS IN CRISIS;
APN's Blueprint provides "very specific ideas" and is a "serious, practical tool" for the Obama Administration

Washington Jewish Week: "Only the news we see fit to print"

For years, the "Daily Alert" (from the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs) has largely ignored news unfavorable to the increasingly violent settler movement.
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.

Ynet: "Umm al-Fahm invites Jews ahead of rightist rally"

"...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."

Bloomfield blasts the Daily Alert

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.

Likud losing luster?

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.

APN's Blueprint provides "very specific ideas" and is a "serious, practical tool" for the Obama Administration (http://www.peacenow.org/APN_First_100_Days_Blueprint.pdf)

A Personal Note

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:

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

APN Releases Blueprint for Obama's First 100 Days in Office

Recommendations for specific steps to significantly advance peace and stability in the Middle East and lay the groundwork for the next four years.

AUDIO NOW: Hagit Ofran Briefing "Lessons from Hebron"

Listen to a recording of APN's 12/9 Briefing Call with the Head of Peace Now's Settlement Watch program.

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.

Try Tough Love, Hillary; NY Times OpEd By Roger Cohen

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."

READ

Q. Who won and who lost in the Hebron incident? Q. ...alternatives to 2-state solution reflected in the internal Israeli political debate?
Tues., Dec. 9, 2:00 p.m. (Eastern Time): Ofran is head of Peace Now's Settlement Watch program

December 8, 2008 - Vol. 10, Issue 15

JERUSALEM TENSIONS ON THE RISE; ISRAELIS FOR PALESTINE; SETTLER VIOLENCE BLOWBACK; DEAR HILLARY; THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING ERNEST; TO BE PRO-ISRAEL

JTA: "Jewish groups back Israel on Hebron"

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.

APN Commends Jewish Groups for Denouncing Settler Violence

APN repeats its call on all American Jewish groups to join in voicing their opposition to the militant settlers' behavior.

Washington Jewish Week: APN Clears the Record on HRes 758

Letter to the editor in response to "New resolution urges P.A. to stop supporting terror"
Article mentions threat to kill members of Peace Now

AFP: "Israel works to defuse Hebron settler standoff"

"It is time to evacuate the settlers from Hebron," Peace Now said.

Illegal Hebron House & Evacuation

Items related to illegal take-over by settlers of a house in Hebron (March, 2007); Israeli authories evacuation of them (December, 2008)
"Hebron started to burn"; "Dangerous escalation"; Read excerpts from articles in Yedioth Ahronoth and Maariv

Peace Now NEWSFLASH: Israel evicts Hebron squatters

Illegal settlers respond with violence against Israeli forces and "retaliatory" rioting and vandalization of Palestinian property
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
Areikat responds to questions on the Palestinian Authority's expectations from the Obama administration and the Arab Peace Initiative

Powerpoint on "The New Hebron Settlement in 2007"

Presentation shows maps, pictures, and details of the new Hebron Settlement and its impact
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.
See a list with links, where they exist, of the actions taken by APN...
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.
"A party that does not respect the law should not be allowed to become a parliament member," said (Peace Now's Yariv) Oppenheimer.

NEW ITEMS for APN's Online Publication "They Say, We Say"

APN responds to questions about the construction controversy of the Museum of Tolerance in Jerusalem
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.
Q's re: Lessons from the terrorist attack on Mumbai, and the infrastructure of Israeli-Palestinian peace negotiations.
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."

December 1, 2008 - Vol. 10, Issue 14

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;
by Daniel Seidemann, Jerusalem Attorney & Founder of Ir Amin, and Lara Friedman, APN Director of Policy & Gov't Relations
A far-right settler rabbi on Wednesday asserted that Peace Now Secretary General Yariv Oppenheimer deserves to be jailed on charges of 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.
Peace Now harshly criticized the compromise, saying the settlers and Defense Minister Ehud Barak, whose ministry arranged the deal, were merely "buying time."

Ha'aretz: "A mockery, not a compromise"

Written by Lara Friedman, APN Director of Policy & Gov't, and Hagit Ofran, Director of Peace Now's Settlement Watch