This week, Alpher discusses the challenges the new Palestinian "technocrat" unity government sworn in in Ramallah this week presents to Israel and the US; the strange melodrama over the election of Israel's next president and what this tells us about PM Netanyahu's functioning; the US swap of five Guantanamo prisoners with the Taliban for an imprisoned US army sergeant; and why does either country need a "hot line" emergency phone connection between Netanyahu and Putin?

Americans for Peace Now (APN) welcomes the swearing in of a new Palestinian Authority government, headed by current Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah and comprised of apolitical technocrats.

Haaretz - May 28, 2014
APN's Ori Nir: American Jews are running out of patience with Israel
http://www.haaretz.com/opinion/.premium-1.595852

The Forward - May 29, 2014
Peace Now's Yariv Oppenheimer quoted in APN Board Member Leonard Fein's profile of Dani Dayan
http://forward.com/articles/199134/the-deceptive-style-of-settlement-leader-dani-daya/?

The Forward - May 30, 2014
APN spokesperson quoted in story on US Jewish peace groups
http://forward.com/articles/199129/american-dovish-groups-facing-grim-new-reality-aft/

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 >