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 whether the Six-Day War was a just war from Israel's standpoint; the benefits that came from Israel's victory in the war; the costs at the regional strategic level; the Palestinian issue coming out of the war; where we are today; and what Israel should have done after the war in 1967, in hindsight.

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.

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.