APN/Peace Now in the News: October 1 – 7, 2016

J Weekly: October 2
A Shrine to Tolerance Shows Grave Insensitivity
By Ori Nir

The opinion piece by Rabbi Abraham Cooper (“Museum of Tolerance not being built atop Muslim cemetery,” Sept. 23) takes issue with my assertion that the Wiesenthal Center is knowingly building its Museum of Tolerance at the site of a historic Muslim cemetery and that bones of people buried there have been dug up to make room for the museum (“American Jewish progressives must act to defend their values in Israel,” Sept. 16).

My assertion is based on facts. These facts have been discussed in Israeli courts and in the Israeli public arena, and are included in Israel’s Supreme Court ruling. The heart of this ruling was not the question of whether there were skeletons buried where the museum now stands, but the manner in which the bones in the “Purple Zone” would be handled.

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Middle East Monitor: October 7
Monitoring group: West Bank settlement construction has quadrupled,” draws on Peace Now’s Settlement Watch data.

Wall Street Journal: October 5
Israel Defends Planned West Bank Construction,” an article on tension in US-Israel relations over settlements quotes Peace Now statistics.

LA Times: October 5
U.S. condemns Israel’s plan to create more housing in the West Bank,” Peace Now warns that new Shiloh construction may grow to 300 housing units.”

Times of Israel: October 5
US invokes Peres legacy in biting condemnation of settlement expansion,” Peace Now blasts Israeli government for approving hundred new homes for settlers in Shiloh.

Israel Hayom: October 2
Report: Nearly 100 housing units to replace Amona outpost,” quotes Peace Now’s responses to the advancement of plans for 98 settlement homes near Shiloh.

Jerusalem Post: October 1
Plans for 98 new settler homes advance,” Peace Now draws attention to the Israeli Higher Planning Council’s advancement of plans for 98 new homes in Shiloh settlement.

i24news: October 1
Israel approves 300 new West Bank settlement homes after Amona demolition order,” Peace Now says the Israeli government is set to approve construction of 300 new housing units near Shiloh.

APN/ Peace Now in the News: October 15-21, 2016

APN's Lara Friedman in Haaretz: October 21
My UN Speech Reflected Love for Israel, Truth About Settlements

Last Friday, the UN Security Council held a meeting organized under the title “Illegal Israeli Settlements: A Threat to Peace and the Two-State Solution.” Americans for Peace Now proudly took part in that event, offering testimony grounded in love for Israel and expressing an unwavering commitment to Israel’s security and its survival as a democracy and a state rooted in the Jewish values expressed in its Declaration of Independence. Of course, that testimony also dealt with the settlements, explaining why they are detrimental to the cause of Israeli-Palestinian peace and therefore to Israel’s national security interests.
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Haaretz: October 21
Yes, Israelis, We Must Wash Our Dirty Laundry in Public,” Zeev Sternhell’s op-ed argues APN is worthy of support for appearing before the UNSC.

Jewish Telegraph Agency: October 20
With UNESCO vote, Palestinians’ bid for attention backfires,” APN among those criticizing UNESCO for one-sided resolution.

Haaretz: October 20
Americans for Peace Now, You Made a Mistake in Appearing Before the UN,” Rabbi Eric Yoffie’s op-ed says that “while APN’s presentation was a compelling one, it should not have been given to that audience at that time.”

Al-Monitor: October 19
Why human rights NGOs are losing support of Israeli public,” Peace Now’s Avi Bouskila says Peace Now opted to not participate in UNSC discussion on Israel-Palestine so as not to alienate the Israeli public.

Ynet News: October 19
US again expresses support for Israeli far-left NGOs,” US Ambassador to the UN thanks APN for sharing expertise on West Bank settlements.

Israel National News: October 18
Washington ‘grateful’ to B’Tselem,” State Department says it’s grateful for APN and B’Tselem’s efforts.

Ynet News: October 18
US State Department ‘grateful” to B’Tselem,” State Department Spokesman says US is grateful for organizations like Peace Now and B’Tselem.

The Forward: October 17
If Israel Lets in Palestinian Refugees, Will it Lose its Jewish Character?” Op-ed praises APN’s Lara Friedman for UNSC speech.

Haaretz: October 15
Netanyahu Slams Humn Rights NGO B’Tselem for Joining ‘Chorus of Slander’ Against Israel,” Netanyahu slams APN and B’Tselem for appearing before UNSC regarding West Bank settlements.

Times of Israel: October 15
Netanyahu vows to bar national service volunteers from B’Tselem,” Netanyahu lashes out against APN and B’Tselem for their testimony on Israeli settlements before the UNSC.

i24 News: October 15
Netanyahu attacks ‘ridiculous’ NGO B’Tselem over UN comments,” Netanyahu attacks APN and B’Tselem for UNSC testimony regarding West Bank settlements.

ABC News (AP story): October 15
Israeli Rights Group Urges UN to End Palestinian Occupation,” APN takes part in UNSC special session on West Bank Settlements

APN/Peace Now in the News: October 9-14, 2016

Times of Israel: October 14
B’Tselem under fire for planned UN presentation on settlements,” discusses the criticism that the testifying organizations and their representatives, such as APN’s Lara Friedman, are receiving.

Israel National News: October 14
MK Kish: Time to Disconnect from B’Tselem and Peace Now,” Knesset Member Yoav Kisch (Likud) spoke out against B’Tselem and Peace Now for being invited to the UN Security Council Session, “Israeli settlements as an obstacle to peace and the two-state solution.”

San Francisco Chronicle: October 14
Palestinians push for UN membership and against settlements,” discusses Palestinian initiatives at the UN in the context of the UN Security Council session on Israeli settlements, which APN will participate in.

Haaretz: October 13
Israeli NGOs to Address Special UN Security Council Session on Settlements,” APN will address the UN Security Council on West Bank settlements after Peace Now decided not to.”

Jerusalem Post: October 13
B’Tselem, Peace Now to speak to UNSC against settlements,” APN’s Lara Friedman to address the UN Security Council regarding settlements.

The Jewish Week: October 13
’Here To Stay’ in Shilo,” quotes Hagit Ofran, director of Peace Now’s Settlement Watch program, saying the new housing proposed for land near Shilo, including 41 apartments earmarked for residents of Amona, an unauthorized outpost slated for destruction by Dec. 31, would be the start of a new settlement, not an expansion of an existing settlement.

Daily News (AFP story): October 9
Netanyahu speaks to Kerry to calm US over settler plan,” Peace Now says new construction in the West Bank amounts to the establishment of a new settlement.

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