"We strongly condemn the Israeli government's recent decision... Proceeding with this new settlement is another step towards cementing a one-state reality of perpetual occupation that is fundamentally inconsistent with Israel's future as a Jewish and democratic state."

State Department deputy spokesman Mark Toner, in a statement responding to Israel's plan for a new settlement to relocate residents of the illegal outpost of Amona.

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.

Due to the holiday, there is no Hard Questions, Tough Answers this week.

Go HERE for previous editions, including last week's Outgoing Year, 5776.

APN's News Nosh - Daily News Summary from Israel

From today's News Nosh: Hebrew newspapers (with the usual exception of Israel Hayom) highlighted the unusually harsh statement that the US released against Israel for the latter’s latest settlement construction plans, (Israel rejected the criticism, blaming Palestinians for the lack of peace)...

Go HERE for more of today's headlines and news summary from Israel, and HERE to receive APN News Nosh as a daily email.

APN Legislative Round-Up: September 30, 2016

1. Bills, Resolutions, and Letters
2. Hearings II
3. On the Record III

APN wishes all a sweet and peaceful New Year

APN volunteer Barbara Green begins her Rosh Hashana thoughts with: This is an awkward time of the year for some secular Jews like me.

APN Condemns New Israeli Settlement Plan

Highlighted red circle above shows the area for the newly planned Israeli settlement in the West Bank, which will add to already existing settlements in the vicinity (shown in blue).

APN President and CEO Debra DeLee: "...the Netanyahu government is sending a message to settlers that it is an eager partner and collaborator in activities that are illegal under Israeli law...(and) a message to the Palestinians and the world that its rhetorical commitment to peace and a two-state solution is at best a cynical political cover."

Go HERE for more on plans for a new West Bank settlement plus an industrial zone.

Go HERE for the joint Peace Now and Ir Amim report "Broken Trust: State Involvement in Private Settlement in Batan Al-Hawa, Silwan"

APN's 6th Annual Professor Gerald B. Bubis Lecture in Southern California - Wednesday evening, November 30

The annual APN event, done in partnership with Valley Beth Shalom, will feature Daniel Levy, President of the US/Middle East Partnership, an internationally known expert on Israeli affairs. More information to come.

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"We are grateful for the efforts of non-governmental organizations both in the US and in Israel, and that includes Peace Now in the US, and B’tselem, which continue to inform us about the fundamental issues that occur on the ground, including the settlements enterprise."

US State Department Spokesperson Edgar Vasquez in a statement to Yedioth Ahronoth.

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

October 19, 2016 - The UN, the US and the Palestinian issue

Q. Last week's UN Security Council discussion of the settlements has generated angry criticism from the Netanyahu government. What in particular angered the prime minister?

A. A host of issues...

Q. Hold on. APN's Lara Friedman also testified before the Council on the settlements issue.

A. ...Friedman concentrated on what Peace Now does so well: chronicling the spread of settlements and the damage this does to the prospects for a viable two-state solution...

Q. And at the broadest strategic level, what does the Security Council discussion contribute toward a two-state solution?

A. Friedman was right in arguing before the Council last week that Israel's settlement policies "reflect a deliberate strategy designed to prevent the emergence of a viable, contiguous Palestinian state."...

Q. Last week, leaked US presidential campaign correspondence quoted democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton suggesting, immediately after Israel’s March 2015 elections, that a "Potemkin" Israeli-Palestinian peace process would be better than none at all. Do you agree?

A. No. The entire Israeli-Palestinian complex has careened so far beyond a peace process that a peace initiative emanating from parties who know it has no chance of success would do more damage than good...

Q. Examples?

A. ...Secretary of State John Kerry's initiative of 2013-2014...Prime Minister Netanyahu's May 2016 initiative to recruit Egyptian support...

Please note that the APN offices will be closed next Monday, October 24 and Tuesday, October 25, in observance of the Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah holidays.

APN's Lara Friedman Addresses the United Nations Security Council on Settlements

APN's director of policy and government relations spoke on Friday, October 14 before the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) at a special session organized to examine the issue of "Illegal Israeli Settlements: An Obstacle to Peace and a Threat to the Two-State Solution."

Go HERE for a transcript of APN's testimony delivered by Lara Friedman.

"Haaretz: Speech Made by Americans for Peace Now at the UN Reflects Love for Israel" by Lara Friedman

We are proud to have spoken at the Security Council, and we will continue to speak out, wherever and whenever we believe it can make a difference, until Israeli policies cease to prioritize settlements over peace, security, democracy and Israel’s place in the community of nations.

Go HERE for a resource page with links to videos from the UN Security Council and the Press Conference, news coverage, and more.

"Deluded" - Because we dared

In response to APN's measured, fact-based analysis of the damage that West Bank settlements inflict on Israel’s national security, Prime Minister Netanyahu took to Facebook to hurl false accusations and saying that APN was part of a "slander campaign."

Listen to the post-UNSC Hearing Briefing Call with APN's Lara Friedman and Israeli legal expert Michael Sfard

These two experts discussed the United National Security Council special session on "Illegal Israeli Settlements: An Obstacle to Peace and a Threat to the Two-State Solution."

LISTEN >

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"I've come to know that the work that organizations like B'Tselem and Peace Now do protects me. In working for the rights of Palestinians, they are defending the future of democracy for all Israelis. But who, now, in this place of incitement, will protect them?"

Ha'aretz Columnist Bradley Burston from his October 25 Opinion piece.

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

October 26, 2016 - Lieberman and Shaked define crucial right wing government strategies

Q. Last week, Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman gave an unusual interview to a Palestinian daily. Is there anything really new here?

A. Two dimensions of the interview are new and warrant attention...

Q. Let's start with Gaza.

A. Lieberman put Hamas on notice that while Israel will not initiate aggression, if Hamas starts another war this will be its last...

Q. And Abbas?

A. “Abbas is not interested in a solution for the Palestinian people..."

Q. Finally, Lieberman’s peace formula...

A. "The correct principle is the exchange of territories and populations rather than of land for peace."

Q. Was there anything significant Lieberman did not say?

A. He made no mention of the bodies of two IDF soldiers Hamas has held since the summer 2014 war...

Q. Turning to the right-wing establishment's designs regarding the Jewish character of Israel, Justice Minister Shaked reportedly made a significant statement a few weeks ago...

A. ...Shaked published what appears to be her credo as justice minister...

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Thank the Obama Administration for standing up for Israel at UNESCO

UNESCO ignored the Jewish - and Christian - ties to Jerusalem in a shocking resolution that refers to the Holy Basin only by its Muslim title, does not mention the Temple Mount the way Jews refer to the site, and uses quotation marks for the Western Wall Plaza but not for its Muslim name.

TAKE ACTION and thank President Obama and his administration for rejecting the anti-Israel bias of UNESCO's resolution.

Peace Now Director Avi Buskila profiled in YNet

Peace Now's Avi Buskila: "When citizens get up in the morning and send their kids to school, we want them to ask themselves if they want their children to grow in a country at war all their lives..."

The Israeli Hebrew-language daily Yedioth Ahronoth published a comprehensive interview and profile of Avi Buskila, Peace Now's new executive director.

Go HERE to read translated excerpts and a link to the full interview.

New Illegal Outpost in the Northern Jordan Valley / Nearby Palestinian Structures Demolished

On October 25, Israeli settlers moved their illegal outpost from private Palestinian lands near Al-Khaimah to a nearby hill. This comes a month after the Palestinian structures in Al-Khaimah were demolished by the Israeli Civil Administration, which Peace Now has reason to believes is related to the outpost.

Ha'aretz: "My UN Speech Reflected Love for Israel, Truth About Settlements"

...If there was ever a time to speak the truth about the settlements, it's now.