Washington, DC -- Americans for Peace Now (APN) is alarmed and saddened by the loss of life of unarmed civilians in the Gaza Strip, and warns against further deterioration of hostilities on the Israel-Gaza border. APN calls on both sides, Israelis and Palestinians, to exercise restraint and act responsibly to avoid further bloodshed.
Washington, DC -- Americans for Peace Now (APN) is alarmed and saddened by the loss of life of
unarmed civilians in the Gaza Strip, and warns against further deterioration of hostilities on the Israel-Gaza
border. APN calls on both sides, Israelis and Palestinians, to exercise restraint and act responsibly to avoid
further bloodshed.
Donald Trump’s Ambassador to Israel, David Friedman, is at it again. This time, in an interview with an Israeli Orthodox newspaper, he is threatening the Palestinians with regime change and indicating that the Trump Administration will not intercede to prevent the Israeli government from annexing parts of the West Bank.
The following joint statement was issued on March 28, 2018 by Ameinu, Americans for Peace Now, J Street, National Council of Jewish Women, the New Israel Fund and T’ruah:
“As American Jewish organizations and strong supporters of Israel, we are deeply alarmed by the appointment of John Bolton to serve as President Trump’s National Security Advisor. His long record shows him to be a fierce advocate for belligerent policies that would endanger the national security of the US, Israel and our allies around the world.
Peace Now's annual report on settlement construction in 2017 in the West Bank (excluding Jerusalem) reveals 17% more building than the yearly average over the better part of the past decade. Of the new construction, 78% took place in isolated settlements beyond the Geneva Initiative border, a slight increase from 2016. Tenders published in 2017 reached a two-decade record high, while the new settlement of Amihai (for the Amona evictees) and three outposts were founded.
The steady pace of construction and building deep in the West Bank attest to Prime Minister Netanyahu's steadfast abetting of the settlement enterprise. It is also apparent that the new U.S. presidency in 2017 had no marginal deterrent effect on these Israeli unilateral moves, which continue to inflict severe damage on Palestinians' way of life and on prospects for a two-state solution.
Large numbers of Palestinians are expected to participate in “The Great March of Return” this Friday, which is
Palestinian Land Day and coincidentally also the start of the Jewish holiday of Passover. While protests are also
planned for the West Bank and by Palestinian citizens of Israel, Gaza is the focal point for Land Day activity, as
well as a key flashpoint given the mounting tensions there since President Trump’s December announcement regarding
Jerusalem. Friday’s events are planned to kick off a series of similar marches and rallies in coming weeks, leading
to May 15, the day after Israel’s 70th anniversary of independence which is marked as Nakba Day by
Palestinians.
Each year at the Seder, Jews read this line in the Passover Haggadah, "In every generation, a person is obligated to see themselves as if they had left Egypt." This concept reminds us that each year we must approach the haggada with a fresh eye. It demands that we not merely read the words, but understand them afresh. We must have both empathy for what our forefathers and mothers have suffered, and – more importantly – be aware that change is possible, that we are masters of our fate, and that with determination and courage we can accomplish liberation. In our generation, liberating Israelis and Palestinians from the yoke of the occupation, which is subjugating both societies, is imperative. And it is within our reach.
This year, you can add flavor to your seder by sharing this thoughtful reflection by Rabbi Rachael Bregman. Rabbi Bregman has graciously contributed our 18th haggadah insert. In it, she asks us to reflect upon what questions we want to ask this year, offers questions for the table - to be asked when we reach the explanation of the three symbols of Passover: pesach (the offering), matzah and maror.
Since 2001, Americans for Peace Now has asked rabbis from the extended APN family to contribute reflections on the haggadah: that story which has for centuries been understood as the archetype of liberation. Many of us have made these reflections a permanent part of our seder - we hope you will, too. You can find them here.
May we all enjoy a sweet and liberating Passover,
Debra DeLee
President and CEO,
Americans for Peace Now
Submitted by Rabbi Rachael Bregman (2018)
To be read before the three symbols of Passover.
As Passover approaches, our thoughts turn to liberation. An
increasing number of American Jews are making the connection between the release of the Jews from bondage in
Egypt and our collective responsibility to push for an end to the 50-year-old Occupation -- so that Palestinians
and Israelis may be free.
US Ambassador to Israel David Friedman has something else in mind.
When he says "Hashana haba'ah b'yerusalayim" ("Next year in Jerusalem"), he'll be reflecting on his gratitude to President Trump.
Moving forward can involve risk. But standing still can bring disaster.
As the Exodus story tells us, the Israelites were faced with a choice at the Sea of Reeds: Enter the waters or stand still and be slaughtered by Pharaoh’s fast-approaching army.
Only one Israelite—Nachshon—had the foresight and the courage to jump into the sea. Jewish
tradition says that once he moved forward, the waters parted and Israel was able to walk on dry land to safety.
It sometimes seems that it will take a similar miracle to bring peace to the Middle East.
But Peace Now (Shalom Achshav), the veteran Israeli activist organization, and its U.S. counterpart Americans for Peace Now (APN), aren’t relying on miracles. We believe in moving forward. The wind may not be at our backs, but standing still is not an option.
This Passover, you may observe a traditional Seder and may be blessed by the company of children or grandchildren. They may ask the four questions, one of which is: “Why is tonight different from all other nights?” Yes, we eat matzo; yes, we dip twice; yes, we remember the stranger, but tonight we can no longer afford to be bystanders—we all must jump into the fray.
We “jump” to feed the hungry, to defend the refugee, to protect the environment—now it’s
time to “jump” for Israel’s secure future. We want you to be able to tell your family how you helped Israel be
the best it can be. Helping ensure a peaceful and secure future for Israel and preserve the Zionist dream does not
mean asking how Israel can survive with a Palestinian state by its side. It means asking how Israel can survive
without one.
Hineni, here I am. Because of the damaging effects of occupation, I’ll jump. Because settlers build on private Palestinian land, I’ll jump. Because evicting Palestinians from the homes where they have spent their entire lives is dehumanizing, I’ll jump. Because Israel may annex settlements in the West Bank in defiance of international law, I’ll jump.
President Trump’s pick for his third National Security Advisor, John Bolton, is dangerous for American national security and potentially disastrous for the cause of Israeli-Palestinian peace. We urge our supporters, and indeed all Americans, to condemn this choice.
The White House says it wants to help Gaza. So it punitively cuts aid to desperate Gazans, adopts one-sided policies in Israel's favor – then blames the Palestinians for 'politicizing' humanitarian assistance.
Two conferences held last week underlined the Trump Administration’s combination of bad faith and ineptitude in addressing Gaza’s severe humanitarian crisis.
The first one, convened by the White House, was dubbed a "brainstorming session" on Gaza by Trump’s special representative for international negotiations Jason Greenblatt. At the outset, Greenblatt enjoined participants to "leave all politics at the door" in order to help Gaza.