We will be marching with the group of progressive, pro-Israel organizations committed to Israel's core values, as laid out in its Declaration of Independence 66 years ago.  Our organizations support and advance the ideals of democracy, freedom, justice, peace and human rights and will be marching loud and proud on June 1.

Come out and make your voice heard! Don’t miss this opportunity to show the world that there is a strong and vibrant progressive voice supporting Israel. Please register at this link to receive our meeting point for the parade.

This weekend, Pope Francis will be visiting the Middle East on a historic trip. Many people the world over have been impressed by the humility of this pope, by his loving mien, and his ethical stances. We also are encouraged by his friendship with Rabbi Abraham Skorka and Omar Abboud - leaders of the Jewish and Muslim communities in Argentina - and his determination to demonstrate the normalcy of interfaith friendship.

1.  Bills, Resolutions & Letters
2. Playing Politics with the “Best-Allies-With-Benefits Bill” (S. 462)  
3. May Madness!  The FY15 NDAA
4. Hearing
5.  Members on the Record
6.  From the Press

Haaretz - May 20, 2014
Peace Now condemns Israeli authorities for not acting against settlers' forgery of West Bank land documents
http://www.haaretz.com/mobile/.premium-1.591815?v=6B426621310078EEA716EC5ED8426B1F

St. Louis Jewish Light (JTA Story) - May 20, 2014
Peace Now disputes news regarding "silent freeze" of West Bank settlement construction
http://www.stljewishlight.com/news/world/article_b95d04a9-3c73-5a2a-aa30-0dcc019351e7.html

New Voices (blog) - May 20, 2014
APN's Lara Friedman speaking engagement at Boston University not sponsored by Hillel
http://newvoices.org/2014/05/20/defining-pro-israel/

New Jersey Jewish News - May 15, 2014
APN's Aaron Mann's op-ed: Yes, Gov. Christie: Pro-Israel equals anti-occupation
http://www.njjewishnews.com/article/22953/yes-gov.-christie-pro-israel-equals-anti-occupation#.U39_6_ldVpe

Jerusalem Post - May 13, 2014
High Court orders Israeli government to remove homes in illegal outpost following Peace Now petition
http://www.jpost.com/National-News/State-must-remove-some-illegal-homes-in-three-West-Bank-outposts-by-Sunday-352071

This week, Alpher discusses the significance of the Pope's visit to the Holy Land; whether the June 10 presidential elections is something to get excited about or just another ho-hum affair; and whether we about to witness a new Israeli unilateral initiative.

Walla.co.il (online service) by Shaul Arieli -- The author is a member of the Economic Cooperation Foundation [as well as a retired IDF colonel and a board member of the Council for Peace and Security].
Translation via Israel News Today, May 27, 2014.

   Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s remarks about the need for unilateral measures in the aftermath of the collapse of the talks with the Palestinians could have been referring to two possible courses of action. The first, which is rooted in his concern that Israel might “turn into a bi-national state,” would be to continue down the road that Ariel Sharon took. Namely, it would entail complementing the disengagement plan from the Gaza Strip and northern Samaria with additional actions that during Ehud Olmert’s term in office were given the slightly whitewashed name of the “convergence plan.” The second possible course of action would be for Netanyahu to openly endorse the three-phased messianic plan to annex the West Bank that was presented by Naftali Bennett, the first stage of which is to annex the settlement blocs to Israel.