"Amona must stay in place, thrive and flourish. The cabinet must make sure that a vibrant community does not become a desolate place just because of formalities."

Israeli Culture Minister Miri Regev on the eviction of Amona, an illegal outpost that was built in violation of Israeli law, characterizing a ruling by the Israeli High Court as a "formality."

Yossi Alpher is an independent Israeli security analyst. Views and positions expressed here are those of the writer, and do not necessarily represent APN's views and policy positions.

August 8, 2016 - Lieberman's sour (nuclear) grapes; Hamas, World Vision and Palestinian elections

Q. Last week, President Obama declared that the Israeli security establishment confirms that Iran is complying with the nuclear agreement. Minister of Defense Lieberman responded by (once again) comparing the nuclear agreement to the pre-WWII Munich capitulation. Why this needless confrontation over a done deal?

A. ...(Lieberman's) "Munich" comment was more likely directed at all those in Israel who he suspects have gone soft on the Iran nuclear deal or who never really opposed it...

Q. Two weeks ago, Hamas surprised the West Bank Palestinian leadership by declaring it would participate in West Bank and Gaza municipal elections scheduled for October 8. How is Israel dealing with this? How does Palestinian leader Abu Mazen hope to win the elections that he himself initiated?

A. Both Israel and the PLO were taken aback by the Hamas announcement...

Q. Can you return briefly to the Hamas/World Vision story? Why is this significant?

A. ...assuming Israel's allegations are true, they appear to verify a constant theme in the approach of the Israeli security establishment to the question of international aid for Gaza...

Help APN while doing back-to-school and other Summer shopping!

Go to Amazon Smile and link your account to APN.

Go to iGive and select Americans for Peace Now before shopping.

Tisha B'Av: Silence threatens peace

Tisha B'Av (the 9th day of the month of Av), which will be observed beginning the evening of August 13th, is a fast day commemorating the destruction of both the First and Second Temples in Jerusalem.

John Kerry, US Secretary of State, next in series of APN security validators

"The one state solution is no solution at all for a secure Jewish Democratic Israel living in peace, it is simply not a viable option."

Israeli Attorney General indicates willingness to relocate illegal outpost to privately-owned Palestinian land

In response to the Israeli High Court's order to evacuate the illegal Israeli West Bank outpost of Amona, a plan being considered is to re-establish it on nearby lands privately owned by Palestinians.

Come on the APN Israel Study Tour -- Meet young Israeli peace activists

Make plans to participate on the 2016 APN Israel Study Tour - November 12-17.

Always a highlight is meeting with young Peace Now activists, who demonstrate the vitality of their generation and of the Peace Now movement.

Go HERE to see a new video of Peace Now activists speaking about their motivations, including how their experience in the Israeli Army drew them to Peace Now.

Go HERE for more on the Israel Study Tour and to sign up, and contact israeltour@peacenow.org with any questions.

Project Syndicate: "Israel's Government Hawks and Military Doves"
By Ambassador Daniel Kurtzer

Those who lead Israel's defense establishment often come to consider peace with the Palestinians a necessary condition for the country’s security.

Newsweek: "Why New Israeli Settlements Set Back the Day of Peace"
By Alon Liel, former director general of the Israeli Foreign Ministry and ambassador to South Africa

The further absorption of Palestinian land and erosion of contiguity inside and between Palestinian territories leads inevitably to one outcome: the geographic impossibility of a two-state solution and the continued drift into a non-democratic Israeli polity, if not an apartheid state.

APN Mourns the Passing of Elaine Hoffman

Elaine was a longtime senior member of APN's Board of Directors, a staunch advocate for peace for Israel, a devoted leader of Los Angeles' Jewish community, and a longtime political activist. (Picture: Elaine with Senator George Mitchell at the APN Yitzhak Rabin Peace Award Event).

APN's President and CEO Debra DeLee: "The APN family lost an important member. We all admired Elaine and were inspired by her commitment to public life, to our community, and to a peaceful, progressive Israel."