***UPDATE: The final language of the bill has been significantly broadened, and now applies to “Any person who is not a citizen of Israel or holds a certification for permanent residency in the state of Israel shall not be given a residing certification or permit of any kind, if he, or the organization or agency for the sake of which he acts (she-hu po’el avuram), has knowingly published a public call to boycott the State of Israel, as defined in the Law to Prevent Harming the State of Israel through Boycott of 2011, or if he has committed to take part in such a boycott, as stated.”*** 

***UPDATE: The Knesset passed the "Entry Bill" into law on March 6, 2017***

APN's statement condemning passage of the law is here.

What is the “Entry Law”?

The so-called “Entry Law” currently under consideration is an amendment to Israel’s 1952 “Entry Law,” which determines who is allowed to enter into Israel and under what conditions.

The amendment stipulates that any person who is not an Israeli citizen will be denied entry into Israel if:

“if the person, or the organization or agency for the sake of which he acts, has knowingly publicized a call to boycott the state of Israel, as defined in the 2011 Law to Prevent Harming the State of Israel through Boycott, or (if that person) has pledged to participate in such a boycott.”[while granting Israel’s Interior Minister the prerogative to issue exceptional entry permits to boycotters “for special reasons.”]

APN's Lara Friedman in the Huffington Post: January 6, 2017
"Think Trump's Policies On Israel-Palestine Have Nothing To Do With You?"

Back in 2012, I warned a friend who was working on international trade issues: pay attention to what’s happening with the Palestinians at the UN, because it could cause problems for the U.S. on a wide range of issues, including the ones you deal with. I recall clearly his response, mainly because it was so patronizing. In essence, he told me: “don’t kid yourself – nobody is going to let a boutique issue like Israel-Palestine harm truly important U.S. interests (like trade).” Continue Reading...

Jewish Exponent: January 12, 2017
"Jewish Groups Tussle over Friedman Pick," APN among Jewish groups opposing David Friedman as US Ambassador to Israel.

Globes: January 10, 2017
"How much do the settlements really cost?" Peace Now's research is featured in this story about the real cost of Israeli settlements.

The Arab Daily News: January 5, 2017
"A tribute to my friend Daniel J. Steiner," Arab American journalist and comedian, Ray Hanania writes a heartfelt and inspiring tribute to David, talking about their shared vision of peace and David's work with APN and his local community in Chicago.

APN's Lara Friedman in The Hill: January 27, 2017
"David Friedman is the wrong choice for US ambassador to Israel"

The nomination of David Friedman to be the next ambassador of the United States to Israel has stirred a fierce debate, focused primarily on Friedman’s well-documented bombastic rhetoric and his views on settlements, the occupation, and the Palestinians — views that are at odds with decades of bipartisan U.S. policy.

As the Senate gets ready to consider Friedman’s nomination, what has been largely overlooked is the fact that, based on his own very clear and public record, Friedman is by any objective standard disqualified from serving as America’s diplomatic envoy to any country, and especially to Israel. Continue Reading...

I24 News: January 26, 2017
“No action after closed door UN Talks on Israeli Settlement Construction,” Peace Now says that Netanyahu is taking advantage of Trump’s recent election as President of the United States to appeal to Israel’s right-wing settler population.

The Jerusalem Post: January 26, 2017
“Peace Now: Israel Begins to Act On 73% of the 2,500 Settler Homes,” Following the Housing Ministry’s approval of tenders for new housing units in the West Bank, Peace Now urges Netanyahu “to take responsibility for the future of Israel by halting settlement construction and assuring the future of Israel as both Jewish and democratic.”

Haaretz: January 24, 2017
“Israel Approves Construction and Planning of 2,500 Settler Homes in West Bank,” Peace Now speculates that by approving construction of new settlement homes, Netanyahu is trying to appease the right in response to their criticism of his actions during Operation Protective Edge.

The Times of Israel: January 24, 2017
“PA: Trump Encouraged Israel to Okay 2,500 Settlement Homes,” Americans for Peace Now says that the construction of 2,500 new settler homes may be the largest number approved since 2013.

VICE News: January 24, 2017
“Israel Just Approved Construction of 2,500 Settlements in the West Bank,” Ori Nir, spokesperson for Americans for Peace Now, warns that moving the American embassy to Jerusalem would have “destabilizing repercussions in the region.”

Ehud Yaari / The American Interest (January 10, 2017)
Discusses how Isareli military and intelligence agencies curbed the wave of Palestinian lone wolf attacks that peaked in October 2015. Read More >

Yanig Magal / Globes (January 10, 2017)
This article estimates what Israel spends on the settlements each year given that there is no separate budget for expenditure beyond the Green Line. The estimate includes the figures Israel reports to the U.S. - it was agreed between the two countries that the amount invested in settlements would be deducted from annual aid - as well as unreported costs related to transportation, infrastructure, and public sector employment. Read More >

Oded Haklai / Washington Post (January 11, 2017)
The survey asks different age groups of Israelis about perceptions of settlement location in or outside the territory of the state of Israel and whether they thought Israel declared sovereignty over Judea and Samaria. Read More >