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.

  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

2. Hearings

3. On the Record

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.