Produced by the Foundation for Middle East Peace in cooperation with Americans for Peace Now, where the Legislative Round-Up was conceived

1. Bills, Resolutions & Letters
2. Iran Sanctions Bill in the Senate - Details
3. Hearings
4. On the Record

This episode has two segments, both relate to the Gaza Strip. 

The first segment is an interview with the World Bank’s country director for the West Bank and Gaza Strip, Marina Wes. She talked about the terrible state of the Gaza economy, about its dependence on external financial assistance, and about its grim future. 

The second segment is a conversation with Haim Malka of the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, DC, who focused on Gaza’s largest donor, the gulf emirate of Qatar. 

APN's Stephanie Breitsman in the Washington Jewish Week
"Netanyahu calls Trump's bluff on settlements"
June 14, 2017

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu apparently wants to convince us that he is not interested in reaching a peace deal, but in maintaining power by catering to his radical right flank and the settler movement.

At a June 6 ceremony celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Six Day War, Netanyahu promised an audience of settlers that “no one will be uprooted from their home. … I’m doing whatever is needed to protect the Jewish settlement enterprise in Judea and Samaria. … We are building and planning in all parts of Judea and Samaria.” Continue reading...

Times of Israel: June 14, 2017
"Israeli and international groups warn of looming disaster in Gaza," Peace Now among 16 groups that released a joint statement warning of total collapse in Gaza.

i24: June 11, 2017
"Lieberman says Israel planning most settlement homes since 1992," Peace Now: Some of the newly announced settlement homes will be built in first official settlement established since 1992.

Xinhua (China): June 11, 2017
"Israel approves highest number of settlement homes since 1992: minister," Lieberman's number for new housing starts in settlement higher than Peace Now's.

Jerusalem Post: June 11, 2017
"Defense Minister Lieberman debunks settlement freeze claims," Israel's defense minister quotes settlement activity stats that are even higher than Peace Now's.

Jerusalem Post: June 11, 2017
"US: Israeli settlement activity doesn't help peace process," Peace Now report on new settlement activity triggers critical reactions by US and European Union.

Jerusalem Post: June 9, 2017
"Israeli settler activity triples, 7,721 homes planned or approved," Peace Now debunks right wing claims of "freezing" settlement construction, showing tripling of settlement activity.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu apparently wants to convince us that he is not interested in reaching a peace deal, but in maintaining power by catering to his radical right flank and the settler movement.

At a June 6 ceremony celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Six Day War, Netanyahu promised an audience of settlers that “no one will be uprooted from their home. … I’m doing whatever is needed to protect the Jewish settlement enterprise in Judea and Samaria. … We are building and planning in all parts of Judea and Samaria.”

During a White House press conference in February, while expressing his interest in helping make the “ultimate” Israeli-Palestinian peace deal, President Donald Trump appealed to Netanyahu: “I’d like to see you hold back on settlements for a little bit,” he said. Trump’s ask clearly didn’t persuade Netanyahu against giving in to the settlers’ demands for expansion. Netanyahu’s promise to the settlers not only contradicts his stated support for a two-state solution, but also jeopardizes the prospects of future Israeli-Palestinian peace.

Settlements at 50 Years - An Obstacle to Peace and Democracy 

Attorney Talia Sasson, President of the New Israel Fund 

In conversation with Amir Tibon, Washington Correspondent for Haaretz Newspaper

Friday, June 23rd at 12:30 pm - 1:45 pm

Middle East Institute

1319 18th Street MW, Washington, DC

Light lunch will be available at 12:15 pm

Register here

Please join the Foundation for Middle East Peace and Americans for Peace Now for a discussion with Dr. Sara Yael Hirschhorn about her new, critically-acclaimed book, “City on a Hilltop: American Jews and the Israeli Settler Movement.”

Israel's "Entry Law" Turns Israel into The Jewish Homeland...for Some

The Israeli Knesset passed legislation known as the "Entry Law" on March 6, 2017, which will ban entry to Israel of foreigners who support or publicly engage in a blanket boycott of Israel, or who support or engage in boycotts targeting West Bank settlements.

Below are "testimonials" from people linked to APN highlighting their deep connection to and support of Israel, and how despite that, Israel would deny their entry.

(Click on a picture to jump to that testimonial or scroll down for all of them)