When Hamas terrorists killed four Israelis in the West Bank in August, the condemnations came from across the Israeli political spectrum. That the dead--one of whom was pregnant--lived in a settlement made the act no less reprehensible, even to those of us who oppose the settlements.
Homes in the area were under Jewish ownership until 1947, and during the two decades of Jordanian rule of the city, they functioned as a wholesale market.
by Chaim Levinson
Settlers have moved into two Lowell-owned (a shell company set up on behalf of right-wing groups such as Elad) apartments in East Jerusalem this week, in what appears to be coincidence, though incident a day before led to clashes between Israelis and Palestinians.
See excerpts from and links to:
Ha'aretz: "Israeli settlers win ownership of East Jerusalem home after lengthy battle"
YNET: "Jews move into another east Jerusalem home"
AFP: "Israeli settlers expand presence in east Jerusalem"
(Pictured: 2nd floor settler apartment, above and below Palestinian, in the heart of Arab East Jerusalem's Jabel Mukaber)
"The only reason it was passed was to put more barriers in front of any potential peace agreement. It was tailored to political considerations and not to constitutional ideas and ideals. This is not how constitutional work is done," Sfard said. (Michael Sfard is the attorney who would represent Peace Now)
By Lara Friedman
When we at Americans for Peace Now discuss the necessity of the two-state solution for the future of a Jewish and democratic Israel, we typically do so in geopolitical and security terms. We talk about the occupation as a terrible liability that damages Israel's democratic character, its international standing, and, obviously, its ability to live in peace and security with its neighbors.But the impassioned case that we make for peace for Israel stems from our caring about the future of the Jewish national home and its adherence to Jewish values.
There is something odd about the argument over an "additional freeze" and the price that Israel is supposed to pay for it. It is odd because a complete cessation of the settlement enterprise is an Israeli interest. Unless, that is, we insist on striding towards the vision of Moshe Arens, Ruby Rivlin, Ilan Pappe, Tzippi Hotovely, the activists in the Zochrot non-profit organization and many others, from Left and Right, who act in word and deed, with opposed interests, to promote the achievement of their vision of one large state.
By Tony Karon
(excerpt)
Netanyahu still has to convince his Cabinet to embrace the deal, and he'll get some pushback from within his party and among settlers who will be furious about a new building slowdown (although the Israeli group Peace Now, which strongly opposes settlements, noted last week that in the six weeks since the last moratorium expired, settlers have started to work on pretty much the same number of housing units as they would have built in the 10 months it covered).
Consider donating to Americans for Peace Now by way of a stock donation. Tax benefits exist -- consult your advisor.
Americans for Peace Now
Brokerage: TD Ameritrade
Account: 881348597
DTC: 0188
The other ways to contribute are HERE to donate online by credit card, or mail your donation to:
Americans for Peace Now
2100 M Street NW, Suite 619
Washington, D.C. 20037
Thank you.
APN held a briefing call for its supporters and core activists on November 16th to discuss the package of incentives offered by the Obama administration in an effort to extend the settlement freeze by three months. Meanwhile, a new Peace Now report finds that the settlers have managed to eviscerate the impact of the previous ten-month moratorium by starting work on more than 1,600 buildings since the freeze expired six weeks ago. To help make sense of these developments, APN held a briefing call yesterday with Hagit Ofran, director of Peace Now's Settlement Watch project, and Lara Friedman, APN's director of policy and government relations.
A new report by the Israeli Peace Now movement discloses that enough new housing starts have taken place in settlements over the last six months to make up for the ten months of the moratorium on new settlements construction.
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu last week seems to have ended with an offer: A package of US rewards in exchange for a 90-day settlement construction freeze. The proposal, reportedly, also addresses the contours of direct Israeli-Palestinian negotiations over the next three months, and beyond.(Peace Now's) New report suggests that '1,126 foundations have been laid in 45 days, compared to 1,888 for all of '09'; data relies on aerial footage.
Also included are excerpts and link to:
AFP: "Settlers started 1650 new homes since freeze end, says Peace Now"
and the entire: Ma'ariv: "Accelerated Construction "Erased" the Freeze"
Israel was on Sunday examining a package of US incentives in exchange for a fresh ban on West Bank construction as a Peace Now report showed settlers have been building at a furious pace.
Articles:
AFP: "Israel eyes West Bank freeze as settlers race to build"
Toronto Star: "Efforts heat up for Israeli settlement freeze"
AP: "Plan for Mideast talks bets on quick border deal"
LA Times: "Netanyahu lobbies his Cabinet on U.S. peace talk incentives"Washington Post: "Israeli Cabinet to consider US settlement proposal"
Guardian: "Israel's cabinet split over fresh building freeze despite US offer of military aid"
President Barack Obama's resolve to renew Israeli-Palestinian peace talks is being tested. I need your help to show the president that Americans want him to act to put the peace process back on track.
APN's innovative efforts to reach new audiences through high-tech tools and through social media just got the attention of the New York Jewish Week. Here's what James Besser wrote:Social media is the new currency of political activism. And which Jewish group has the most in the bank?
