Leading Palestinian pollster and scholar Khalil Shikaki, in a conversation from his Ramallah office, reviewing key challenges facing Palestinians and their leaders, and explaining the dwindling support among West Bank and Gaza Palestinians -- particularly the younger generation -- for the creation of an independent, sovereign Palestinian state. 

Listen to the full episode

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Reuters: "Israel approves hundreds of new settlement homes: NGO"

Peace Now's Hagit Ofran noted that many of the latest housing projects were slated for settlements deep inside the West Bank.

The Australian (from AFP): 'Israel approves more than 1100 new West Bank settlement homes' (subscription needed)

Peace Now said 6742 housing projects were approved in the settlements last year, the highest since 2013.

The Independent: "Israel approves more than 1,100 new settlement homes in occupied West Bank"

In a statement, the group (Peace Now) said: "The government is attempting to destroy the possibility of a two-state solution and the prospects of peace by building more and more in the settlements."

Boston Globe: "Group: Israel OKs more construction in West Bank settlements"

Ofran (of Peace Now) said the government is ‘‘trying to prevent the possibility for peace and a two-state solution.’’

Ha'aretz: "EU, U.K., Germany and France Condemn Israeli Plan to Build Hundreds of Settlement Homes"

Israeli anti-settlement Peace Now also denounced the 1,122 new settlement units which were approved this week.

Jordan Times: "Jordan, world countries reject Israeli settlement plans"

The Chairman of the PLO and its Central Council over the past couple of days nullified the Oslo Agreements, conditioned recognition of Israel on Israeli recognition of Palestinian sovereignty, shunned the Trump Administration as a peace broker, and announced they would seek further recognition in international fora.

The Palestinian Central Council (PCC) statement followed an inflammatory and unconstructive speech by Palestinian Authority President and PLO Chairman Mahmoud Abbas to the Council in Ramallah on Sunday.

Yossi Alpher is an independent security analyst. He is the former director of the Jaffee Center for Strategic Studies at Tel Aviv University, a former senior official with the Mossad, and a former IDF intelligence officer. Views and positions expressed here are those of the writer, and do not necessarily represent APN's views and policy positions.

This week, Alpher discusses the situation in Gaza; Abbas's aggressive speech at the Palestinian Central Council; Israel's reaction; talk about two potential American peace proposals; and the bottom line.

Americans for Peace Now joins its Israeli sister organization Peace Now (Shalom Achshav), Israel’s preeminent peace movement, in bidding farewell to Avi Buskila, Peace Now’s departing director general, who has decided to venture into politics and run for the leadership of the progressive political party Meretz.

Interview with Settlement Watch Director Shabtay Bendet in Times of Israel: January 12, 2018

"A former settler is bent on dismantling outposts he once toiled to establish"

Ex-radical Lubavitcher Shabtay Bendet has left old ideologies behind, but the new Peace Now staffer is still grappling with the life he created on the other side of the fence.

Shabtay Bendet was on hand at the Civil Administration’s Beit El headquarters in October when the Defense Ministry body authorized the West Bank settlement of Rehelim’s first-ever building plan. Had it happened two decades earlier, it would likely have been a momentous occasion for the 45-year-old, who, as one of the founders of Rehelim — the West Bank’s first illegal outpost — facilitated the covert transport of trailers to the hilltop community south of Nablus in the dead of night. Read More >

Algemeiner (JNS story): January 14, 2018
"Major Jewish Organizations Back Israel’s BDS Entry Ban, Barred Groups Call It ‘Bullying’," APN opposes list of organizations banned from entering Israel due to their support of BDS.

Times of Israel: January 14, 2018
"Settlement watchdog head resigns to run for Meretz leadership,"

Ynet News: January 14, 2018
"Outgoing Peace Now director announces bid for Meretz leadership," Avi Buskila, the former Director General of Peace Now, leaves to run in the Meretz leadership race.

Arutz 7: January 14, 2018
"Peace Now CEO resigns in bid for Meretz director position"

Jerusalem Post: January 14, 2018
"Peace Now head running for Meretz leadership" 

Jordan Times: January 13, 2018
"Jordan, world countries reject Israeli settlement plans," Peace Now data quoted in story on settlement construction.

Haaretz: January 12, 2018
"EU, U.K., Germany, and France Condemn Israeli Plan to Build Hundreds of Settlement Homes"

Boston Globe (AP story): January 12, 2018
"Group: Israel OKs more construction in West Bank settlements," Peace Now: Israel's government OKs more construction in West Bank settlements.

The Independent: January 12, 2018
"Israel approves more than 1,100 new settlement homes in occupied West Bank," Peace Now: Israel approves more than 1,100 new settlement homes in occupied West.

The Australian (AFP story): January 12, 2018
"Israel approves more than 1100 new West Bank settlement homes"

Reuters: January 11, 2018
"Israel approves hundreds of new settlement homes: NGO"

Produced by the Foundation for Middle East Peace in cooperation with Americans for Peace Now, where the Legislative Round-Up was conceived

1. Bills, Resolutions & Letters – Israel/Palestine
2. Bills, Resolutions & Letters – Iran
3. Bills, Resolutions & Letters – Other Mideast Issues
4. Hearings
5. On the Record re: Trump’s Jerusalem Move & Aftermath
6. On the Record re: Iran – protests & more
7. On the Record re: Palestinians
8. On the Record re: Everything Else Mideast-related