The evening of Thursday, April 14th began Yom Haatzmaut, Israel’s Independence Day. Every year, for Yom Haatzmaut, our colleagues at Shalom Achshav distribute hundreds of “peace flags” to fellow Israelis who endorse the notion that their country cannot be fully free and independent as long as it has not liberated itself of the occupation and made peace with the Palestinians. 

This year, for Yom Haatzmaut, we are bringing these flags and this message to Capitol Hill, distributing them to members of Congress who support our mission – and to some who don’t.  

We started distributing the flags on Tuesday. The first member of the House to receive a flag was Maryland Rep. Jamie Raskin, a friend of APN and a staunch supporter of Israeli-Palestinian peace. In the photo below, holding the flag, is Rep. Raskin’s Chief of Staff, Julie Tagen.

We respect and cherish the blue-and-white Star of David official flag of the State of Israel. We view it as a symbol of the accomplishments that a nation-state of the Jewish people is, and of the many accomplishments of Israel. But we also want to see the “Shalom” flag by its side, as an aspirational expression of the peace that Israel has not yet accomplished. The absence of peace, while the occupation lingers, denies Palestinians the national independence that Israelis enjoy, but it also denies Israelis full liberty and democracy. Because an occupying power cannot be fully democratic, egalitarian, and free.

In the future, with the help of our supporters and activists, we would like to take the Shalom flag beyond Washington and make it a household symbol of support for peace at Jewish and non-Jewish institutions and homes throughout the United States.

B'Shalom,

Ori Nir

Vice President for Public Affairs

Twenty seven senators signed a letter to President Biden, urging him to re-join the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the nuclear deal that the Obama administration, together with China, France, Germany, Russia, and the United Kingdom signed with Iran in 2015. The Trump administration withdrew from the deal, and the Biden administration has signaled its intention to re-join the JCPOA.

Americans for Peace Now (APN) is outraged by the Jewish National Fund-Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael (JNF-KKL) Executive Committee’s vote yesterday (April 11th 2021) to allow buying land in the West Bank for settlement expansion. APN urges the JNF-KKL’s Board of directors to reject the decision when it comes to its final vote on April 22nd.

APN’s auction will open at noon (ET) on Sunday, April 11 and close at 6:00 pm (ET) on Tuesday, April 20th.  All bids must be received by 6:00 pm (ET) on April 20th.

Washington, DC – Americans for Peace Now warmly welcomes the Biden administration's decision to resume US aid to Palestinians, which not only benefits the Palestinians but is also good for Israel and for prospects for Israeli-Palestinian peace.

Americans for Peace Now urges the Biden administration to clearly oppose and act to block the planned construction of hundreds of new settlement homes in a strategic location between East Jerusalem and Bethlehem, which would thwart the contiguity of a future Palestinian state.

Dear Friend of APN,

If you enjoyed watching Mandy Patinkin lead our moving and memorable commemoration to Yitzhak Rabin last fall, you’re going to love what I have to offer you today. 

How about a chance to meet Mandy and his wife, Kathryn Grody, for lunch in New York City? 

Congress is really into flags. Every member flies an American flag outside their door. Some fly college flags or state flags. I’m sure you’ve seen the controversy as some bigoted Reps (space laser lady) posted hate-filled signs outside of their offices in response to a colleague flying a trans rights flag. 

We are introducing a new flag to Congress. The Peace flag.