This week Alpher discusses whether there is any chance of replacing Assad with a
transition regime as discussed at the Geneva I talks, who else agrees with Israeli Defense Minister
Yaalon's labeling of Kerry by as "obsessive and messianic," or if this is "last week's news," and
whether there is anything really new on the Israeli-Palestinian scene.
JTA - January 12, 2014
APN issues statement re: Ariel Sharon's death
http://www.jta.org/2014/01/12/news-opinion/united-states/jewish-groups-in-u-s-around-world-mourn-sharon
JTA - January 13, 2014
APN among Jewish groups challenging Fla. synagogue over $3 million bequest
http://www.jta.org/2014/01/13/news-opinion/united-states/jewish-groups-challenge-synagogue-over-3-million-bequest
San Diego Jewish World - January 14, 2014
APN issues two press releases: One on Iran, another on Israeli reaction to Kerry peace
initiative
http://www.sdjewishworld.com/2014/01/14/americans-peace-now-call-new-iran-sanctions/
Al-Monitor - January 14, 2014
Peace Now settlement data cited
http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2014/01/construction-settlements-prisoners-release-john-kerry.html#
Salem-news.com - January 14, 2014
APN press release urges US Jewish groups to stop pushing new Iran sanctions
http://www.salem-news.com/articles/january142014/israel-settlements.php
Sun Sentinel (FL) - January 15, 2014
APN among Jewish groups challenging bequest
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/palm-beach/boca-raton/fl-synagogue-lawsuit-update-20140115,0,3789451.story
JTA - January 15, 2014
APN among groups who signed a letter to Congress opposing new Iran sanctions
http://www.jta.org/2014/01/15/news-opinion/politics/obama-urges-congress-not-to-pass-sanctions
My Jewish Learning (blog) - January 1, 2014
APN's Alana Suskin on opening the conversation about Israel in US Jewish community
http://www.myjewishlearning.
NJ Jewish News - January 9, 2014
APN's Ori Nir op-ed: Doubters miss the meat in Kerry's mission
http://www.njjewishnews.com/
Huffington Post - January 9, 2014
APN's Lara Friedman op-ed: Thwarting Iran Diplomacy: Not Good for the Jews
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/
Arutz 7 - January 6, 2014
Peace Now criticizes government plans to build more in West Bank settlements
http://www.israelnationalnews.
Jerusalem Post - January 7, 2014
Peace Now criticizes approval of more construction in settlements and "master plan" for
Ofra
http://www.jpost.com/National-
International Middle East Media Center - January 7, 2014
Peace Now: Israel To Build 272 Housing Units In West Bank Settlements
http://www.imemc.org/article/
AFP - January 7, 2014
Peace Now: Israel government approves plan for 272 new homes in settlements during Kerry's
visit
http://www.google.com/
JTA - January 7, 2014
APN criticizes CoP's press release on Iran sanctions
http://www.jta.org/2014/01/07/
Salem-News.com - January 8, 2014
Peace Now to Israeli Government: Remove Belligerent West Bank Outpost
http://www.salem-news.com/
Arutz 7 - January 9, 2014
Peace Now: Demolish Esh Kodesh
http://www.israelnationalnews.
Maan News (AFP story) - January 9, 2014
Peace Now: Israel must dismantle settler outpost
http://www.maannews.net/eng/
Reuters - January 10, 2014
Peace Now criticizes new tenders for settlement construction
http://www.reuters.com/
Associated Press - January 10, 2014
Peace Now criticizes new tenders for settlement construction
http://www.blueridgenow.com/
AFP - January 10, 2014
Peace Now criticizes new tenders for settlement construction
http://au.news.yahoo.com/
Washington, DC - Americans for Peace Now (APN) urges American Jewish organizations to join it and its Israeli sister organization, Israel’s Peace Now movement, in condemning Israel’s Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon’s offensive comments, lambasting Secretary of State John Kerry for his efforts to broker peace for Israel.
Yaalon was quoted this morning in the Israeli daily Yedioth Ahronoth as criticizing Kerry for “acting out of
misplaced obsession and messianic fervor” in his efforts to advance a peace agreement between Israel and the
Palestinians. Yaalon did not deny the quotes, and in a public appearance later in the day continued to criticize
the US peacemaking efforts, stating that Israel’s government strives not to resolve its conflict with the
Palestinians “but to manage it.”
State Department Spokesperson, Jennifer Psaki, called Yaalon’s remarks "offensive and inappropriate, especially
given all that the U.S. is doing to support Israel's security needs." She added that “to question Secretary Kerry's
motives and distort his proposal is not something we would expect from the defense minister of a close ally."
Several members of the Israeli cabinet also criticized Yaalon’s comments, as did Israel’s Peace Now movement,
Shalom Achshav.
APN, the US sister-organization of Shalom Achshav, is outraged at Yaalon’s comments, and urges fellow American
Jewish organizations to join it by speaking out against his tirade.
APN’s President and CEO Debra DeLee said: “This is a moment that calls for American friends of Israel to state
clearly: We support peace for Israel. We recognize that it is in the national security interest of Israel and of
the United States. We support our President and Secretary of State’s efforts to advance this goal. We do not
support the vision of Israel living by its sword and ruling over another people in perpetuity, by ‘managing’ its
conflict with the Palestinians.”
To read more about Yaalon’s comments, click here
To read the State Department’s reaction, click here
To read Peace Now’s statement, click here