Yossi Alpher is an independent security analyst. He is the former director of the Jaffee Center for Strategic Studies at Tel Aviv University, a former senior official with the Mossad, and a former IDF intelligence officer. Views and positions expressed here are those of the writer, and do not necessarily represent APN's views and policy positions.

This week, Alpher discusses what the leaders of the mass Gaza demonstrations at the fence hope to achieve; why there are so many dead and wounded demonstrators; a prognosis; how developments in Syria affect Israel; and Honduras.

In 2003, four former heads of Israel’s secret counter-terrorism service, Shin-Bet, were interviewed by the Israeli daily Yedioth Ahronoth. Their criticism of then Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s inaction to advance a diplomatic resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict caused an uproar and deeply influenced Sharon. The interview later triggered the award-winning documentary film The Gatekeepers, featuring six past Shin-Bet directors who criticized the political status-quo.

Palestinians announced their intention to hold peaceful demonstrations from Land Day (March 30) through Nakba Day (May 15), with Gaza as the focal point. APN and Shalom Achshav respect the right of Palestinians to protest nonviolently, and call on Israelis and Palestinians to exercise restraint and act responsibly to avoid further bloodshed. We call on Prime Minister Netanyahu to pursue a political solution.

Action Alert: Tell Your Senators to Support Humanitarian Relief for Gaza

APN and Shalom Achshav Publications

7.30.2018 Hard Questions, Tough Answers (July 30, 2018) – Syria/Iran and Gaza: two fronts and two policy proposals
7.16.2018 Hard Questions, Tough Answers (July 16, 2018) – Gaza
5.1.2018 Hard Questions, Tough Answers - Africans and Gazans: refugees, job seekers, "terrorists"?
4.10.2018 Briefing Call with Israeli political columnist Akiva Eldar. Eldar discusses the current Israel-Gaza crisis, Benjamin Netanyahu’s governing and legal challenges, Israel-US relations, and more.
3.30.2018 Press Release: APN Alarmed at Gaza Death Toll; Calls for Responsible Action to Prevent Further Deterioration
3.31.2018 Shalom Achshav: Netanyahu – Stop the Escalation Now!
4.2.2018 Video from Shalom Achshav protest at Likud HQ in Tel Aviv

3.19.2018 APN’s Debra Shushan in Haaretz: Trump’s Inept and Cruel Gaza Policies
PeaceCast episode #44: Brian Barber Seeks Words for Gaza
PeaceCast episode #43: Omar Shaban sees hope in Gaza
PeaceCast episode #23: Gaza Misery with Abby Smardon of UNRWA
PeaceCast episode #14: Gaza Unplugged
PeaceCast episode #13: Gaza Crisis and Qatar’s Role

They Say, We Say: What About Hamas and Gaza?

Recommended Reading

8.8.2018 Haaretz: Israel, Hamas to Agree on Cease-fire by End of August, Report Says
8.8.2018 YNet: Erdan: There may be secret channels to talks with Hamas
4.9.2018 Amos Yadlin for the Institute for National Security Studies: A Sense of Victory on Both Sides: A Recipe for Escalation in Gaza?
4.2.2018 The New York Times (editorial): Israel Courts Catastrophe in Gaza Protests
4.2.2018 International Crisis Group backgrounder: Gaza Protests Mark Shift in Palestinian National Consciousness
11.11.2017 B'tselem backgrounder on Gaza

APN hosted a briefing call Tuesday, April 10^th, at 1:00 pm EST with veteran Israeli political columnist Akiva Eldar.

Eldar discussed the current Israel-Gaza crisis, Benjamin Netanyahu’s governing and legal challenges, Israel-US relations, and other political topics.

Americans for Peace Now (APN) strongly rejects Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's absurd accusations against the New Israel Fund and calls on fellow American Jewish organizations to stand behind the New Israel Fund and Israel's civil society.