by Hagit Ofran, Peace Now Settlement Watch Director

Posted: August 26, 2009 04:00 PM

Following the meeting between US Senator Mitchell and Israeli PM Netanyahu, it seems that Israel and the US are getting close to some kind of agreement or understanding about a settlement freeze.

A settlement freeze is one of the key factors in order to enable a resumption of peace talks.

Unfortunately, I doubt I have to begin to look for another job. Settlement activity will always be one of the most important issues on the political agenda of our region.

Jo-Ann Mort, CEO of ChangeCommunications, is an Executive Committee Member of Americans for Peace Now and often writes about Israel and Palestinian issues

14TH AUGUST 2009 -- ISSUE 161

Palestine's warring leaders have long kept their own people under siege--but as Hamas's popularity wanes, there is fresh hope for the peace process

By all accounts the Fatah Party Congress earlier this month--the first in 20 years--was a big success. It showed democracy in action, the type that the White House would no doubt like to see throughout the Arab world, with real debate and clean elections. But it was as much about who was not in the meetings room in Bethlehem on 4th-6th August as it was about those in attendance. And those who were not in attendance are as critical to Fatah's success--and that of the Palestinian nationalist camp that Fatah represents--as those who were.

Jo-Ann Mort, CEO of ChangeCommunications, is an Executive Committee Member of Americans for Peace Now and often writes about Israel and Palestinian issues

August 14, 2009

Despite being imprisoned in Israel, Marwan Barghouti proved his popularity at the Fatah party congress. Here's why the politician holds promise for his party and Hamas -- as well as Palestine and Israel in general.

By all accounts, the Fatah party congress held in Bethlehem from Aug. 4 to 11 -- the first in 20 years for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' party -- was a success.

From Washington Jewish Weekly
By Ori Nir

Israelis were recently appalled by reports of sadistic hazing in the Israel Defense Forces' tank corps. Israeli newspapers uncovered routine patterns of beating, lashing, severe humiliation and other forms of brutal behavior toward new recruits.

But it seems that few were truly surprised. In the eyes of many, the story was depicted as one more expression of the growing brutalization of the IDF and of Israeli society. Hardly a day goes by without a murder, a road-rage related stabbing, a heartbreaking case of domestic violence, a Mafia-style drive-by shooting or an incident of teen violence.

8/7/09

Fatah's sixth convention in Bethlehem has attracted considerable
attention, due to internal battles among its factions and members of the
movement's leadership. But these battles have focused on taking control
of key positions within the movement and on constitutional issues. They
skipped almost completely over Fatah's approach to the
Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

http://cgis.jpost.com/Blogs/oppenheimer/entry/hope_from_bethlehem_posted_by

Thursday Aug 06, 2009 
 
At its convention in Bethlehem this week, Fatah refused to recognize Israel as a Jewish state or adopt Hebrew as its official language, and didn't conclude with a rendition of HaTikva (Israel's national anthem). What a disappointment, what a blow to the champions of peace.

WASHINGTON -- US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Monday said Israel's evictions of Palestinian families from east Jerusalem are "deeply regrettable" and urged the close US ally to refrain from such "provocative" actions.

Jo-Ann Mort, CEO of ChangeCommunications, is an Executive Committee Member of Americans for Peace Now and often writes about Israel and Palestinian issues

The mantra of many in the Jewish community, and especially of the current Israeli government, that Jerusalem is the eternal, undivided capital of the Jewish people, does nothing to resolve the current stalemate over the city's status. Nor does saying those words make Jerusalem truly undivided. Most Jews - including those who live there - never experience the full breadth and depth of Jerusalem. Rather, they stop at the imaginary line where a wall once divided west from east before 1967, as if it were still a divided city.