Friday, February 27th, at 4:00 PM Eastern Time.
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will come to Congress next Tuesday to try to mobilize it against the Obama administration’s efforts to reach a deal with Iran. This week, he described Congress as the “last stop” before a deal that he deems catastrophic for Israel. But will Congress come to Netanyahu’s help? Can Congress thwart such a deal? And what kind of a deal are President Obama and Secretary Kerry trying to secure? In what way does its chief characteristics differ from Netanyahu’s approach?

On Thursday, March 5th, Yossi Alpher will be in Washington DC promoting his new book, Periphery: Israel's Search for Middle East Allies. APN is hosting a brown-bag lunch – you provide the lunch, we provide the hamantaschen – Yes, the 5th happens to be Purim!

This week, Alpher discusses the likelihood Israel will produce a government capable of moving forward toward a two-state solution; whether a right-wing-led government is more likely at this point; what, at this point in time, is the most likely coalition to emerge from these elections; what surprises he envisions in these elections; the possibility of the United States and the international community ratcheting up the pressure on the next Israeli government; and what are the consequences thus far of the tension over Iran between Netanyahu and the Obama administration that has reportedly brought US-Israeli relations to a new low.

This week, Israeli President Reuven Rivlin publicly lamented the challenge facing the new Palestinian city of Rawabi, whose existence he called a “clear Israeli and Zionist interest.” Rawabi is now ready for its first residents – except that there is no running water. This problem has continued for months, and President Rivlin drew attention to a Haaretz editorial identifying its source: the zero-sum game that Israeli settlers and politicians play with the lives of Palestinians.

APN Chair Jim Klutznick recently brought you the story of Rawabi and how it can benefit Israel – his words are more timely and urgent than ever.

L'Shalom,
Debra DeLee
President and CEO
Americans for Peace Now