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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.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - December 8, 2008 
CONTACT:  Ori Nir - (202) 728-1893

Washington, D.C. - Americans for Peace Now (APN) today commended American Jewish organizations for taking a stand against West Bank settlers' violence and lawlessness. APN repeats its call on all American Jewish groups to join in voicing their opposition to the militant settlers' behavior.

"Earlier this week, we called on American Jewish organizations to weigh in and publicly condemn the militant settlers' violence. We are gratified today to see some of America's major national Jewish organizations doing so. We urge others to do the same," said Debra DeLee, APN's president and CEO.

"The militant settlers' outrageous behavior over the past several months peaked yesterday in Hebron, as they rampaged through town, attacked Israeli police officers, soldiers and journalists, shot and injured Palestinians, torched Palestinians' homes and damaged their property. These crimes - in the name of Judaism - are unacceptable and certainly un-Jewish," DeLee said.

She added: "It is important to comprehend that the settlers' rampage in Hebron and their violent attacks throughout the West Bank were not merely spontaneous hooliganism. The militant settlers are executing a premeditated strategy -- they call it 'Operation Price Tag' - aimed at deterring Israeli authorities from enforcing the law in the West Bank and reigning in the settlers. This is premeditated, systematic political violence directed at civilians. This is terrorism. And we, American Jews, ought to support Israel's war on domestic terrorism, as we support its efforts to fight external terrorism."

APN is painfully aware of this domestic terrorism, having followed with horror the attacks and threats on members of its Israeli sister organization, Peace Now. In September, Israeli Jewish militants attempted to assassinate Zeev Sternhell, one of Peace Now's most prominent supporters. Flyers found near Professor Sternhell's Jerusalem home offered a bounty for murdering Peace Now activists. Peace Now activists routinely receive death threats.

APN is a Jewish, Zionist organization dedicated to enhancing Israel's security through peace and to supporting the Israeli Peace Now movement.