Shortly before midnight on June 2nd, the remarkable Sara Ehrman - longtime Board member, leader and a founder of APN - died at age 98.
If you knew Sara, you know that there never was and
will never be anyone else like her. She led a full and meaningful life, full of friends, family, humor, and
purpose. She was smart, funny, courageous, frank, irreverent and generous.
JTA: May 28, 2017
"Thousands rally in Tel Aviv for two states, against occupation," thousands gather
in Tel Aviv for Peace Now rally for two states, against occupation.
Ma'an News: May 28, 2017
"Tens of thousands of Israelis attend 'two states one hope' demonstration in Tel
Aviv," a message from Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas was read during the rally which said: "There isn't
a voice stronger than the voice of just and inclusive peace, just like there isn't a voice stronger than the
right of people for self-determination and freedom from the burden of occupation."
PressTV (AFP story): May 28, 2017
"Israeli protesters support Palestinian state, urge end to occupation," Peace Now
rally supports Palestinian state and urges end to occupation.
Ynet News: May 27, 2017
"'Two states, One hope'—peace demonstration held in Rabin Square," quotes Avi
Buskila ahead of the rally saying, "From Rabin Square, a clear message will be sent: Yes to hope—not to be
afraid, yes to two states—not to one bi-national state, yes to a better future for Israel—no to annexation and
continued control over millions of Palestinians in the West Bank."
Jerusalem Post: May 27, 2017
"Thousands on Left rally for two-state solution," thousands turn out to Peace Now
rally for two-state solution.
Times of Israel: May 27, 2017
"On Trump’s tailwinds, thousands to attend Tel Aviv pro-peace rally," high turn-out
expected for Peace Now rally against 50 years of occupation.
Deutche Welle: May 27, 2017
"Tel Aviv rally for two-state model," Peace Now rally expresses support for
two-state solution.
A semi-annual presidential act, signing a waiver that maintains America’s Israel embassy in Tel Aviv, has become a subject of heated speculation and debate, following Donald Trump’s statements of intent – as presidential candidate and as President-elect -- to move the embassy to Jerusalem.
The statements and the speculations ended with President Trump doing exactly what all his predecessors, Democrats and Republicans, did since Congress passed the Jerusalem Embassy Act in 1995. He signed a presidential waiver, stipulating that the embassy will remain in Tel Aviv for six more months.
Saturday’s historic rally at Tel Aviv’s Rabin Square was a stunning success.
I use the term "historic" both because the rally marked 50 years of Israel’s occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip, and because the high turnout – estimated at 30,000 – sent a resounding message to the skeptics and the cynics.
Proud, patriotic Israelis came from all across the country to show support for a two state solution, to oppose the government's policies toward the Palestinians, and to demand an end to the occupation that is devastating both our Palestinian neighbors and us, Israelis, as well.
The huge crowd of peace activists that you can see in the photo below sent an important message to the Israeli government and to the Israeli public that there is a large, vociferous constituency for peace, willing to fight for it. Addressing the crowd, I urged Israelis, in the words of the famous Shir La-Shalom (Song of Peace,) which Prime Minister Rabin sang moments before he was assassinated at the same place 22 years earlier: "Don't say 'a day will come'/ Bring the day about!"
News from Peace Now:
On Sunday (28/05/17), the head of the Central Command signed a military order defining the jurisdiction to a
new Israeli settlement in the West Bank, the first to be established since 1992. The decision to establish the new
settlement, which will go by the name “Amichai”, was made by the government on March 30th as
compensation to the evacuees of the Amona outpost, which was built illegally on private Palestinian land and was
evacuated in February this year following a verdict of the Supreme Court. Apart from cases of retroactive
legalization of illegal outposts, this is the first settlement that the government of Israel is establishing since
1992.
Several publications have indicated that on June 7th the sub-committee for settlements of the Higher Planning
Committee in the Civil Administration is expected to meet in order to advance plans for settlements. Due to vast
pressure coming from settler lobby groups, it is possible that during this meeting, the plan for the settlement
will be discussed for depositing. In addition, it is likely a plan to retroactively legalize the Kerem Reim outpost,
and expand it to 255 housing units, will be discussed for validation (final approval) during the committee’s
meeting.
Amichai is the second settlement that is being established as compensation for the Amona evacuation. In February
this year a plan for new settlement called Shvut Rachel East, was approved for
validation. The plan, number 205/3/1, enables the construction of the first 98 housing units in Shvut Rachel East,
which is planned to eventually become a settlement of 300 housing units. While Shvut Rachel East should be referred
to as a new settlement by all means, it is officially referred to as a neighborhood of Shilo settlement, despite
being located far from any built up area of Shilo, creating a new and distant expansion to the settlement.
The gathering of tens of thousands of Israelis at Tel Aviv’s Rabin Square last night for a Peace
Now rally marking 50 years of Israel’s ruling over another people was a show of force for Israel’s peace camp.
It showed that there is a loyal and vociferous constituency for peace, which is willing to fight for what
Israelis and Palestinians deserve: Two states, living side by side in peace and security.
The organization was impeccable – the result of months of preparation and many hours of work by Peace Now staff and volunteers. The turnout was large – much more than the organizers had expected. The speeches were inspiring and the crowd’s behavior dignified, even when controversial Likud MK Oren Hazan showed up for a provocation.
Strolling among the crowd, I saw the beautiful, peace-loving, patriotic Israelis of yore, those who flooded the Square in the 1980s and 1990s, but even more so, I saw their children and grandchildren. Teens with picket signs and children with hand-painted peace signs. It was more than heartwarming. It was hope-inspiring. It was uplifting. It was extremely moving. It was a spectacular success.
Here are several photos that I have taken at the rally.
Haaretz: May 25, 2017
"Fifty Reasons I'm Going to the Pro-peace, Anti-occupation Rally on Saturday
Night," Bradley Burston cites 50 reasons why he will be going to the Peace Now "Two States - One Hope" rally
on Saturday, May 27.
New York Jewish Week: May 24, 2017
"Trump Visit: Long On Optics, Short On Vision," APN calls Trump Israel visit
"hollow" and "appallingly short on content."
JPost: May 23, 2017
"In the desolate Old City, hope for Trump is tepid," APN's Aaron Mann, on site in
Jerusalem's Old City during Trump's visit, quoted.
Times of Israel: May 21, 2017
"70% of new settlement construction is outside blocs, group claims," quotes Peace
Now data saying West Bank settlement building up 34% in 2016 from year before.
Arutz 7: May 21, 2017
"Peace Now: 34% increase in Jewish building in Judea, Samaria," says Peace Now CEO
Avi Buskila attacked the Israeli government saying, "The State continues to hold to a double standard. On the
one hand, they say they'll speak with the Americans, and on the other, they allow building outside of the
settlements."
Seattle Jewish Light (JTA story): May 21, 2017
"Peace Now report finds 34 percent increase in West Bank housing construction
starts," article highlights the release of Peace Now's 2016 Annual Construction Report.