32 U.S. Senators led by Senator Diane Feinstein (D-CA) sent a letter to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton before her
upcoming Mideast visit...
February 2009 Archives
Earlier this week blogger Philip Weiss posted a letter sent to me by an activist named Ira Glunts. I don't know Mr. Glunts and have never heard from him before, but since he has elected to make his letter public, it seems appropriate for me to respond in kind.
Glunts' letter (which you can read on Weiss' blog) expresses his outrage at APN for our recent statement and Action Alert supporting a statement made February 12th by Rep. Gary Ackerman (D-NY) about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Continue reading Rules of Engagement (with Congress).
1. Bills and Resolutions; 2. Senate Letter to Clinton re: MidEast Trip; 3. FY09 ForOps in the Omnibus Approps
Continue reading APN Legislative Round-Up - February 27, 2009.
The group Peace Now has taken out ads in Jewish newspapers, asking, "Where is the outrage?"
Continue reading Politico: "Israeli nationalist, charm offensive".
For the first time in years, there is an American administration that puts action behind its rhetoric.
APN's Friedman & Peace Now's Ofran write the Obama administration "must establish a policy of zero tolerance for
settlement expansion before it is too late"
Continue reading Ha'aretz: "Zero tolerance now" by Lara Friedman and Hagit Ofran.
Americans for Peace Now, for one, putting out a statement praising "the president's commitment to work for secure and
lasting peace between Israel and its neighbors"
"...a protest letter (re: Jerusalem Museum site) from Americans for Peace Now, signed by such prominent American Jews
as author Michael Chabon and feminist writer Letty Cottin Pogrebin."
Continue reading Forward: "Wiesenthal Center Fights With L.A. Neighbors".
Peace Now on Tuesday said the IDF has taken some dangerous shortcuts in the last few months as it maps out the
remainder of the structure's route.
Continue reading Jerusalem Post: "Security fence grew a mere 12 km. in '08".
Americans for Peace Now is first out of the box with a reaction to the Israel-peace reference in President Obama's
non-state of the union state of the union.
Continue reading APN: "First reactions - APN gets the prize".
The following article was published today in the Washington Jewish
Week.
In part, I was trying to find a way to express my outrage at Elliott Abrams'
matter-of-fact comments (in his recent Weekly Standard article and in his interview with the Jerusalem
Post) that throughout his term in Bush's White House, holding the Israel-Palestine portfolio
and entrusted by President Bush with implementing the two-state "Bush vision," he never believed that it was
either viable or desirable. He was the point-man but he never believed in his mission and admittedly was a
naysayer, an obstructionist. It takes a lot of chutzpah for the person who was the chief implementer of the
President's policy on this issue to admit to have poo-pooed it all along, and then depict himself as
"the resident skeptic," a "little black cloud." How cynical!
So far, at least, the Obama team seems like it really means it, like it
really is trying.
Continue reading New WJW op-ed: U.S. peace pursuits - finally - look serious.
"Friends of Israel should support the president's commitment to work for secure and lasting peace between Israel and
its neighbors," said Ori Nir, the APN spokesman.
Continue reading JTA: "Jewish banker sets heartfelt tone for Obama speech".
Senator Diane Feinstein (D-CA) has drafted a letter in advance of Secretary Clinton's trip to the Mideast
Text of letter drafted by Senator Feinstein in anticipation of Clinton's trip to the Middle East.
Continue reading Senatorial letter to Secretary Clinton.
Featured speaker will be Ambassador Philip C. Wilcox, Jr.
Continue reading APN Sarasota Luncheon Gala - March 18, 2009.
On February 10, the Yisrael Beiteinu party, led by serial provocateur Avigdor Lieberman, won 12% of the Israeli vote...
Avigdor Leiberman
Avigdor Leiberman
Continue reading February 2009 APN Ad.
APN warned Jewish leaders not to "legitimize him and what he stands for."
Peace Now sees these seizure of orders as an attempt to establish quick facts on the ground and to bypass High Court
provisions.
LET THE GAMES BEGIN; IS OLMERT'S LEGACY BLOCKING A TRUCE WITH HAMAS?; A NEW APPROACH TO HAMAS?; BIBI SHOWS A MODERATE
FACE; LOOKING BACK, WITH REGRET;
Continue reading February 23, 2009 - Vol. 10, Issue 25.
Here is my new blog posting on GlobalSecurity.org
http://sitrep.globalsecurity.org/articles/090223217-israeli.htm (link has expired)
Very few people in Israel posses more influence and have a broader global strategic perspective than Major General (res.) Amos Gilad, director of the Defense Ministry's Diplomatic-Security bureau. Gilad enjoys so much clout and influence that last December he was depicted by Israel's leading Haaretz Daily as "the man who is running the country."
Last week, frustrated by what he argued is the erratic way in which Israeli politicians are negotiating with Hamas through Egypt over a ceasefire agreement and over the release of a kidnapped Israeli soldier, Gilad lashed out. Extensive quotes, carried by Maariv daily on February 18, indicate the Israeli security establishment's concern over Israel's alienating existing and potential regional allies.
Continue reading Avigdor Lieberman: a national security liability for Israel.
Q's re: Netanyahu empowered to form a government, what will emerge? Effectiveness of a Likud-Kadima coalition?
Palestinian unity government?
Continue reading Hard Questions, Tough Answers with Yossi Alpher - February 23, 2009.
As has been widely reported in the press, Senate Foreign Relations Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) is currently in the middle of a trip to the Middle East, including visits to Israel, Gaza, and Syria. He is one of many members of Congress traveling to the Middle East during this recess - travel that we hope is an indication that the 111th Congress is going to deal seriously with this region. Sen. Kerry's travel is especially important, given his role as the Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and earlier today APN sent him a letter (copied below) applauding his travel.
Continue reading APN Commends Chairman Kerry for his Middle East Trip.
"It's a breath of fresh air to have a briefing with a broad spectrum of pro-Israel organizations that is on the
record," said Ori Nir, spokesman for the dovish Americans for Peace Now.
Continue reading Jerusalem Post: "Mitchell could support PA unity gov't".
Please write your Representative that you want them to follow Chairman Ackerman's example.
Continue reading Tell Congress - Ackerman is right on settlements, peace..
APN's Ori Nir: "exposing young Palestinians to American society is the right thing to do."
Continue reading NY Jewish Week: "Challenges Ahead For Bard-Al-Quds Partnership".
APN's Ori Nir: "Mitchell's positive, hope-driven attitude must be commended."
Are settlements legal? On "state" land, private Jewish land, private Palestinian land? What's the objection to Jews
living in Judea & Samaria (aka West Bank)?
Continue reading NEW ITEMS: They Say, We Say.
Today's Ma'ariv includes a report with extensive comments by Amos Gilad, Israel's lead negotiator with Hamas (through Egyptian mediation). Gilad is clearly frustrated by Olmert's decision to condition the cease-fire on the release of Shalit. And he speaks plainly about that. Just as remarkable are the comments he makes about the dwindling number of allies that Israel has in the Arab world, and the need not to alienate Egypt.
Continue reading Wither Israel's Arab allies?.
Peace Now's Yariv Oppenheimer: "Opening the road will prove to Palestinians that quiet and security bring both nations
toward a solution..."
Continue reading Jerusalem Post: "Right blasts plan to open Hebron road".
"His provocative image has ramifications that go beyond Jewish-Arab issues in Israel," said Americans for Peace Now
spokesman Ori Nir
Continue reading Jerusalem Post: "Lieberman weakens Israel's cause in US".
The long-time Peace Now leader elected to the Knesset for the Meretz Party discusses "Pushing for Peace after the
Elections"
Mossi Raz - Peace Now leader & incoming Knesset Member
Q's on Coalition likely to emerge from Israeli elections; Fate of the Palestinian issue; Arab reaction; Israel-Hamas
ceasefire and a prisoner exchange
Continue reading Hard Questions, Tough Answers with Yossi Alpher - February 16, 2009.
TRUCE TALKS; EGYPT CRACKS DOWN ON SMUGGLING; COALITION HAGGLES; BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT; THE "R" WORD; ARAB WORLD REACTS
TO ISRAELI ELECTIONS; MISSED OPPORTUNITY;
Continue reading February 16, 2009 - Vol. 10, Issue 24.
some in Israel and in America are trying to sugar-coat and otherwise obscure what it is that Lieberman and his Israel
Beitenu ("Israel Our Home") party stand for. This is tantamount to tolerating these views and must not go unchallenged.
Continue reading APN Warns Against Legitimizing Lieberman's Bigotry.
If you're reading this blog, you probably seldom read the Jerusalem Post, which is why you may have missed the Post's interview with Elliott Abrams, the Bush White House Mideast policy czar - his first interview since he left his position as deputy assistant to the president and deputy national security adviser for global democracy strategy.
The Post got the scoop because its reporter Ruthie Blum Leibowitz is Abrams' sister-in-law. That probably has something to do with why I find the interview so satisfying and so frustrating at the same time.
Continue reading Bush's Resident Mideast Skeptic Talks.
...for the week ending February 13, 20091. Bills and Resolutions 2. Ackerman on the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict Today 1. BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS (UN REFORM) HR 557: Introduced 1/15/09 by Rep. Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), and currently having 38 cosponsors, "To promote transparency, accountability, and reform within the United Nations system, and for other purposes." Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. This bill was mentioned 1/16/09 edition of the Round-Up. At that point the bill text ...
Continue reading APN Legislative Round-Up - February 13, 2009.
Ori Nir, a spokesman for Americans for Peace Now, said that expressions of solidarity by Israeli Arabs with the enemies
of Israel should be considered protected political speech, and that asking Israeli Arabs to sign a loyalty oath only
would alienate them further.
Continue reading JTA: "Lieberman loyalty proposal finds support in U.S.".
APN's Ori Nir: "The efforts of the next few days and weeks to form a government coalition will hopefully make this
night a victory for the path of negotiations and peace..."
Continue reading JTA: "Livni, lacking baggage, would find friends in Washington".
But Americans for Peace Now -- a Washington-based group -- warned that the results bode ill for the peace process.
Continue reading AFP: "Israel vote bad omen for Obama peace plans".
Ori Nir, Americans For Peace Now's spokesman, said moments after the results were announced. "Neither America nor
Israeli voters will tolerate stalling tactics on the road to peace. There is simply too much at stake."
Continue reading Baltimore Jewish Times: "What Israel's Election Means For U.S. Jews".
"...the settler population during that same period grew by 35,000 to 285,000 in the West Bank, according to a new Peace
Now report."
Continue reading PBS Frontline Blog: "In the News Israel's Enemy Within".
"For Israel's sake, the next government must demonstrate pragmatism and moderation and work closely with President
Obama in pursuit of Israeli-Arab peace"
Continue reading Campaign Politics Aside, It's Time for Pragmatism, Says APN.
I am now a regular contributor to GlobalSecurity.org
My first contribution was an analysis of yesterday's Israeli elections. Here it is:
Continue reading And the Loser is...Israel, Again.
Summary of APN's positions and recommendations on all relevant issues updated for the Congress that began in 2009...
Continue reading APN Briefing for the 111th Congress.
The Ha'aretz Chief Political Columnist discusses the exit polling and its implications after the conclusion of the
Israeli Knesset Elections
Continue reading AUDIO NOW: APN Interview with Akiva Eldar on Israeli Election Results.
APN's Ori Nir: "What every Israeli government finds when it takes the reins is the same reality: the same West Bank,
the same Iran, the same Gaza, the same Arab world..."
Continue reading JTA: "Does `When Bibi met Barack' have a happy ending?".
Nir highlights Yossi Alpher's APN column on possible election scenarios...
I believe that a two-state solution is not only the best resolution to this age-old conflict but one within our reach.
Continue reading Washington Post: "One Region, Two States" by Shimon Perer.
Listen to Seidemann at the 2-6-09 event sponsored by the Foundation for Middle East Peace, Middle East Institute, and
APN in Washington D.C.
Tzipi Livni big winner of 2009 elections, according to Rafi Smith poll commissioned by Ynet; Kadima wins 28 Knesset
seats, Likud comes in second with 26, Lieberman third with 16, Labor crashes to 14
Continue reading Ynet poll: Kadima wins; Labor crashes.
I could not find this in English online, and so here are the results of the exit poll published by Israel Radio:
Continue reading Israeli Election Outcome (according to first exit poll).
Debra DeLee, head of Americans for Peace Now, has called Lieberman's "ultra-hawkish" views "potentially disastrous to
peace efforts."
Continue reading Washington Jewish Week: "Israel's dangerous dark horse".
1. Bills and Resolutions; 2. Resolution Supporting Mitchell Appointment
Continue reading APN Legislative Round-Up - February 6, 2009.
NOT THE POLLS THAT COUNT; THE DAY AFTER - DEADLOCK; BROKEN PROMISES; SUPPORTING AID TO GAZA; IN WAKE OF WAR, FATAH
LOSES;
Continue reading February 9, 2009 - Vol. 10, Issue 23.
Q's re: Knesset election prospects; apparent pendulum swing in Israeli public opinion; 30 years after the Islamic
revolution in Iran; Dealing with Iran today...
Continue reading Hard Questions, Tough Answers with Yossi Alpher - February 9, 2009.
On Israeli policy, settlement construction, growth, etc. during 2008
Continue reading Settlements in Focus: "2008 - the Year in Settlements in Review".
APN's Action Center will automatically generate the appropriate sample letter based on the current co-sponsors of the
resolution.
Attorneys Michael Sfard and Shlomi Zacharia, who petitioned the High Court on the evacuation two years ago on the
behalf of Peace Now...
APN) warmly welcomes the congressional resolution introduced today in support of former Senator George Mitchell's
appointment as Middle East Peace Envoy
Continue reading APN Welcomes Congressional Support of Mideast Envoy Mitchell.
The Defense Ministry is poised to authorize one of the largest West Bank construction projects in recent
years...according to Peace Now.
Continue reading Jerusalem Post: "Peace Now: Israel to add 1,400 homes to W. Bank".
Peace Now published a report with the title 'Settlers do not need to wait for Bibi', referring to the right-wing Likud
party leader Benjamin Netanyahu
Continue reading IPS: "MIDEAST: Settlement Expansion Cutting Into Peace".
On Feb. 4, 30 Members of Congress introduced a resolution supporting the appointment of former Senator George Mitchell
as Special Envoy for Middle East Peace.
Continue reading Text of Resolution Welcoming Mitchell Appointment.
Peace Now activists distributed special stickers in advance of the February 10 Israeli elections
Continue reading "No Right Turn" Stickers.
Reuters, Guardian, Democracy Now, Forward, LA Times, Ha'aretz, Foreign Policy Magazine, Israel Army Radio, CBS News
Continue reading MORE Articles re: Peace Now Settlement Report released January 28, 2009.
Ofra settlement expansion in red - December 2008
Includes mention of Peace Now's new settlement report
Continue reading Time: "Mitchell Is Ready to Listen, but Is Israel?".
Featured speaker will be Ambassador Philip C. Wilcox, Jr.
Continue reading APN Sarasota Luncheon Gala.
SETTLEMENTS GROWING; SWING TO THE RIGHT; PATRIOTISM SURGE; WANTED IN SPAIN;
Continue reading February 2, 2009 - Vol. 10, Issue 22.
"The Israeli group Peace Now reported that settlement growth in 2008 was 69 percent greater than the previous year..."
Continue reading Washington Post: "Mr. Mitchell in the Mideast".
On Obama's appointment of George Mitchell as Middle East envoy (mentions APN's support of this choice)
Continue reading Washington Jewish Week Editorial: "Off to a good start".
...shooting in and around Gaza? Palestinians' hope from Mitchell's long-term efforts...Israel's elections take place in
barely a week's time...?
Continue reading Hard Questions, Tough Answers with Yossi Alpher - February 2, 2009.
Summary of APN's positions and recommendations on all relevant issues...
Continue reading APN's Briefing for the 111th Congress.