Update: this action, now closed, ran from December 2013-January 2014. 

We knew the fight to keep Iran-focused diplomacy alive wasn't over - and we were right. Yesterday, Senators Menendez (D-NJ), Kirk (R-IL) and a group of 25 colleagues introduced a new and highly problematic Iran sanctions bill in the Senate - S. 1881, ironically named the "Nuclear Weapon Free Iran Act of 2013." This bill, introduced just before the Senate breaks for the year, will be the focal point of anti-diplomacy efforts for the coming period.

Peace Now has produced a position paper on a controversial bill proposed by Knesset members Ayelet Shaked (Habayit Hayehudi) and Robert Ilatov (Yisrael Beiteinu) on December 15th. The bill passed a vote of the Ministerial Committee on Legislative Affairs, with the support of ministers from Shaked's party and from Likud-Beiteinu. The bill would require any organization that receives funding from a foreign country to pay 45% tax of the funding received, if the organization or members of its board of directors call for the Prosecution of IDF soldiers, boycotting of Israel or its citizens, or if the organization denies the existence of the State of Israel, incite racism or supports the armed struggle of an enemy country or of a terror organization.

APN's daily news review from Israel

Friday December 20, 2013

Quote of the day:

"There is no doubt that the right-wing's incitement against Arab MKs has an effect."
--Arab MK Ahmed Tibi after a Jewish man threw hot water on his face.**

Last Friday, Peace Now hosted its annual Conference of the Israeli Progressive Peace Camp. The evening before the conference, my team and I were very concerned. The forecast predicted the worst storm in a century, and we were afraid not many people would brave the weather and attend. However, by 8:30 the next morning, hundreds of people had already arrived, surpassing even our most optimistic estimates. The large auditorium quickly filled, and we had to argue with the ushers to get more people inside the room. Despite the weather, we happily welcomed over 700 people and 70 speakers who had awakened early to travel through snow, rain and cold, to take their place with the peace camp.

Americans for Peace Now opposes boycotts of Israel and of Israeli institutions, such as the American Studies Association's decision to boycott Israeli universities.

We believe such campaigns are misguided and counterproductive. They target the average, innocent Israeli citizen -- who may well support an end to the occupation and a two-state solution -- rather than objectionable Israeli government policies. 

The ASA's boycott of Israeli universities underscores the merits of our position. Israeli universities are the ultimate Israeli environment in which dissent and critical thinking flourishes. Boycotting them only damages efforts to encourage internal Israeli opposition to objectionable Israeli government policies. 

Take a look at this terrific video showing highlights from Peace Now's Conference of the Israeli Peace Camp this past week.

Peace Now is still receiving accolades from participants and notes from those who wanted but were unable to attend because of the "Storm of the Century."

APN's daily news review from Israel

Thursday December 19, 2013

Quote of the day:

"The chilling thought that passes through my mind is what would happen if tefillin were burned at Teddy Stadium (in Jerusalem), or if they cut a Jew's sidelocks in Germany."
--Maariv sports commentator Eyal Levi on the tearing up of a Quran by fans of Beitar Jerusalem soccer team at a game against an Arab team.**

APN's daily news review from Israel

Wednesday December 18, 2013

Quote of the day:

"The moment you release your pain and you're not constantly absorbed in it, you can also understand the pains of others, and that's what I do."
--Arab Israeli actor Elias Mattar on his role portraying a Holocaust survivor.**

APN's daily news review from Israel

Tuesday December 17, 2013

Quote of the day:

"What does the snow harmony in the West Bank indicate about the chances of peace? Nothing. When the snow melts, the party will be over."
--Senior Yedioth political commentator reviews the cooperation between Israeli settlers and soldiers and Palestinians in the West Bank during the snow storm of the century.**

APN's daily news review from Israel

Monday December 16, 2013

Quote of the day:

"We can't stop, we won't stop, can't you see it's we who own the land, can't you see it's we who take a stand. And we can't stop and we won't stop. We build things, things don't build we. Don't steal nothing from nobody."
--American-Israeli settler makes pro-settler parody video of Miley Cyrus' 'We Don't Stop'.**