APN's daily news review from Israel - Thursday December 3, 2020
Quote of the day:
“The officer admitted that he shot, why are they closing the case? There’s no justice in this
world.”
—Wael Issa, a Palestinian father from E. Jerusalem, said after the Justice Ministry closed the case against the
Border Police officer who shot his son, Malek, in the face.*
Hagit will discuss the Trump administration’s legacy regarding settlements and what the Biden administration will need to do to reverse Trump’s radical shift from America’s traditional policy on this issue. She will also address current developments in East Jerusalem, illegal outposts, Area C of the West Bank, and other Israeli efforts – backed by the outgoing Trump administration – to normalize settlements and to advance West Bank annexation.
Dr. Ashrawi will discuss the Palestinian perspective on the transition, and examine the state of US-Palestinian relations after Donald Trump’s four years in the White House, the Palestinian leadership’s efforts to push the reset button on the relationship as President-elect Biden prepares to enter the Oval Office next month, and the Palestinian expectations from the Biden administration. Dr. Ashrawi will also talk about the Palestinian leadership’s overall foreign policy, beyond the relationship with Washington.
Currently a member of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization, Dr. Ashrawi has held official positions with the Palestinian Authority, was a member of the Palestinian Legislative Council, and founded the Palestinian Independent Commission for Human Rights (MIFTAH). She is considered one of the most compelling spokespeople for the Palestinian national cause.
Americans for Peace Now congratulates Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-NY), the
incoming Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
APN is pleased to be a Partner Organization for the Other Israel Film Festival - this year presented virtually
December 3-10. The festival presents films that provide an in-depth look into Israeli and
Palestinian societies, as well as other underrepresented populations in Israel.
Go HERE for more on the films and to get tickets (including for related Q&A's) - use the code 'APNOI20' for a 20% discount!
APN's daily news review from Israel - Wednesday December 2, 2020
Quote of the day:
"...the assassination was intended to provoke the Iranians to a response that would lead to a joint
Israeli-American bombing. Luckily for us, the Iranians in this case are the responsible adult."
--Maariv commentator Ran Edelist writes that the assassination of Mohsen Fakhrizadeh was not intended to delay the
race for the bomb.*
Breaking News:
Bill to go to elections passes preliminary reading
By joining the opposition in passing a bill to dissolve the Knesset, Kahol-Lavan voiced its dissatisfaction with
Netanyahu, accusing the prime minister of putting his own personal interests ahead of those of the country.
(Ynet and Israel Hayom)
When progressive American Jews, including our organization, protested the anti-democratic, discriminatory Nation State Law passed by the Knesset two years ago, Israeli officials and members of their US echo-chamber said we were overreacting to legislation that merely stated the obvious.
When we warned that this law would serve as a platform for deeper discrimination of non-Jewish Israelis and for further anti-peace policies, they reassured us that the law is declarative in nature, that it merely reiterates Israel’s being the national homeland of the Jewish people.
APN's daily news review from Israel - Tuesday December 1, 2020
Quote of the day:
"But what of preparing for the revenge that is undoubtedly sure to follow the brazen attack on Iran's chief
nuclear scientist? Rather than brag about its success, what measures were taken to ensure the safety of Israel's
embassies abroad? History has taught us that is where we are vulnerable. And what is the security situation for
Jewish centers and synagogues around the world? Have we secured our airliners, our vessels at sea or the rest of
our soft targets?"
--Following the assassination of Iran's chief nuclear scientist, which Israelis, Iranians and everyone else think
that Israel was behind, MK Nahman Shai, a former IDF Spokesman, writes about Israeli hubris and condescension in
its acts and its reactions to its own acts.*
Join Americans for Peace Now for a webinar featuring Hagit Ofran of Peace
Now’s Settlement Watch Project.
Monday, December 7th 2020, 3:00 pm (EST)
One of the world’s leading experts on the subject, Hagit will examine the Trump administration’s legacy regarding settlements and what the Biden administration will need to do to reverse Trump’s radical shift from America’s traditional policy on this issue.
The discussion will focus on current developments in East Jerusalem, illegal outposts, Area C of the West Bank, and other Israeli efforts – backed by the outgoing Trump administration – to normalize the settlements and to advance West Bank annexation.
This webinar is part of our series on the Israel-Palestine implications of the transition from the Trump administration to president-elect Biden’s administration.
Dear Fellow APN Supporters,
To paraphrase the great Congressman John Lewis, peace is not a state; it is an act. Please read the letter from Kathryn and me -- read about Hebron, read about the moral bankruptcy the occupation has wrought, read and respond because we all want peace now, not peace later.
Thanks to the generosity of the Board of Directors of APN, of which I am a proud member, both
new donations and increased donations from last year will
be matched up to $20,000.
Kathryn and I wish you and your family health and strength as our nation continues to fight this brutal pandemic. I deeply appreciate the encouragement you continually give us.
Mandy Patinkin
November 2020
Dear Friend,
Thirty-eight years ago, when my wife Kathryn and I were expecting our first
child, we went to Israel to research the movie Yentl. I stayed at an Orthodox Yeshiva, and Kathryn at The
American Colony Hotel. The next day we spent a beautiful day in Hebron, surrounded by curious children happy to
meet visiting Americans, and went on a tour of a vibrant neighborhood, guided spontaneously by a sweet stranger
at the Cave Of The Patriarchs and Matriarchs. Our baby boy moved fiercely when visiting this tomb, and we
decided that was a sign that he should be named Isaac. Fast forward almost 40 years, when I was filming an
episode of Homeland, and I traveled to Israel and Palestine. Once again, I visited Hebron. But this time,
traveling with Israeli peace activists from Shalom Achshav, those thriving streets Kathryn and I had seen were
no longer.
Continue Reading. . .
APN's daily news review from Israel - Monday November 30, 2020
Number of the day:
68.
--The number of Palestinian bodies Israel amassed as bargaining chips.**