While Israeli politicians flip the finger at the world to score points with right-wing voters at home, they are alienating Israel’s most important, loyal allies: Progressive U.S. Jews.

Lately, American friends are asking me whether Israeli leaders are thinking straight, whether they realize how unreasonable their statements sound here in Washington, and how odd some of their policies seem.

Marc Fisher / The Washington Post (May 28, 2014)
Discusses the difficulties that Jewish organizations face in affiliating with individuals or organizations that question or debate actions taken by Israel. Read More >

Nir Hasson / Haaretz (May 27, 2014)
An Israeli firm has been working for 10 years to perfect plans that would transform the city's 'natural' urban boundaries into a border between two future countries, in a nonthreatening and aesthetic manner. Read more >

The holiday of Shavuot, which begins the night of Tuesday, June 3rd, and continues through Thursday, celebrates the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai. Shavuot completes the cycle that celebrates the origin of the Jews as a people, starting with Passover. The holiday of Shavuot, once an agricultural festival, has come to represent the importance of the Torah, and our understanding that freedom is not complete until there is rule of law to guide us.

Last week, APN asked Pope Francis to use his leadership – and his voice - to build on the gestures of humility and reconciliation that he has become famous for. We asked him to advocate for peace - and he did.

In addition to laying a wreath at Herzl’s grave and visiting the Yad Vashem Holocaust museum in Jerusalem, Pope Francis also took time to offer a prayer near the separation wall, and to extend an unprecedented invitation for a peace prayer summit in Rome.

Thank you, Pope Francis, for speaking up. We wish you all the best as we all continue to work together for peace

This week, Alpher discusses the significance of the Pope's visit to the Holy Land; whether the June 10 presidential elections is something to get excited about or just another ho-hum affair; and whether we about to witness a new Israeli unilateral initiative.

Haaretz - May 20, 2014
Peace Now condemns Israeli authorities for not acting against settlers' forgery of West Bank land documents
http://www.haaretz.com/mobile/.premium-1.591815?v=6B426621310078EEA716EC5ED8426B1F

St. Louis Jewish Light (JTA Story) - May 20, 2014
Peace Now disputes news regarding "silent freeze" of West Bank settlement construction
http://www.stljewishlight.com/news/world/article_b95d04a9-3c73-5a2a-aa30-0dcc019351e7.html

New Voices (blog) - May 20, 2014
APN's Lara Friedman speaking engagement at Boston University not sponsored by Hillel
http://newvoices.org/2014/05/20/defining-pro-israel/

New Jersey Jewish News - May 15, 2014
APN's Aaron Mann's op-ed: Yes, Gov. Christie: Pro-Israel equals anti-occupation
http://www.njjewishnews.com/article/22953/yes-gov.-christie-pro-israel-equals-anti-occupation#.U39_6_ldVpe

Jerusalem Post - May 13, 2014
High Court orders Israeli government to remove homes in illegal outpost following Peace Now petition
http://www.jpost.com/National-News/State-must-remove-some-illegal-homes-in-three-West-Bank-outposts-by-Sunday-352071