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.

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

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2. Hearings

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Go HERE to help provide support for Peace Now's "Two States - One Hope: A Demonstration Against 50 Years of Occupation" taking place Saturday, May 27, 2017, in Tel Aviv's Rabin Square.

At first glance it looks like there are a lot of winners from President Trump's Middle East trip including:

- The Saudis, who got what they wanted.  They heard Trump confirm that the US would be close to the Gulf Arab states and veer away from Iran.  They also sealed an arms deal with the US for $110 billion.  And they never heard the words human rights from Trump's lips!

- Trump, who got what he wanted from the Saudis. President Trump was able to get an arms deal that he declared was great for the US economy.  The Saudis publicly aligned with Trump's rhetoric against terrorism - thus allowing the President to find "moderate" US allies in the region.  And Ivanka Trump got a $100 billion pledge from the Saudis for her women's empowerment program at the World Bank.

- Benjamin Netanyahu, who breathed a sigh of relief as Trump departed Israel for the Vatican. There was no pressure on settlements or significant concessions to the Palestinians. He heard lots of pleasantries from Trump about the strength of the US-Israel relationship. And there was the prospect of a potentially new dynamic for Middle East peace: The Saudis stating publicly their willingness to be partners for peace.

- Palestinian President Abbas, who was able to tell his people that the Palestinian cause is still on the negotiating table if and when negotiations take place.

Looks like a win-win situation, right? Well, not so fast.