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.
Washington, DC – The vision submitted today by Donald Trump's
White House for an alleged final settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict deals a severe blow to efforts
to achieve real peace between Israel and the Palestinians.
This vision is not a "peace plan" but rather a scheme, co-authored by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Donald Trump, to allow for an immediate annexation of all Israeli settlements in the West Bank and the entire Jordan Valley. Hours ago, shortly after the Trump "vision" was unveiled, Benjamin Netanyahu's government announced that it will submit to the Knesset an annexation bill this coming Sunday.
This plan is a recipe for disaster, for annexation, for the perpetuation of Israel's occupation of the West Bank, for the perpetuation of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, for misery and bloodshed.
News Nosh, a daily news summary brought to you directly from Israel is produced by Jerusalem-based journalist Orly Halpern. News Nosh will be emailed to you every morning, so you can enjoy your a.m. coffee while perusing the major headlines and a summary of Israel's daily news, or you can read it here!
Last Friday, Palestinian community organizer and activist Ali
Abu Awwad gave a stirring speech at an APN cosponsored event held at the Middle East Institute. In
particular, Abu Awwad described his own life story, including being raised by an activist mother who was beaten
and brutalized by Israeli security forces, and participating in the First Intifada, as a desperate and angry boy
picking up stones to confront an overwhelming military force.
The White House is expected to unveil President Trump's "Deal of the Century" for resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict on January 28th 2020. APN offers the following analysis to help assess Trump's proposal.
How to Assess the Trump Plan
APN does not presume to prescribe a detailed formula for resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. We appreciate efforts by past US administrations to avoid prescribing or imposing a detailed peace plan. At the same time, we strongly believe that any US-authored peace plan, if it is to have a chance of succeeding, must assert a framework based on several unshakable principles.
Partners for Progressive Israel webinar (co-sponsored by Americans for Peace Now and NCJW)
This online discussion can be accessed via your computer or by phone.
REGISTER HERE
Online elections for the 2020 World Zionist Congress are underway – and the results will be crucial, impacting the
distribution of $5,000,000,000 in budget money over the next five years and affecting every area of Jewish life
worldwide and every aspect of life in Israel – including the funding of West Bank settlements.
Joining us on Wednesday, 29 January, 12:30-1:30pm Eastern Time to discuss the World Zionist Congress elections and
their importance both “here” and “there” will be two superb panelists, one American and one Israeli:
Nancy Kaufman, past CEO of the National Council of Jewish Women and a member of the HATIKVAH:
Progressive Israel Slate
Hagit Ofran, Co-Director of the Settlement Watch project of the Israeli Peace Now movement (Shalom
Achshav)
The conversation will be introduced and moderated by Hadar Susskind, Campaign Director for the HATIKVAH:
Progressive Israel slate. This event is co-sponsored by Americans for Peace Now and National Council of Jewish
Women. A Q&A will be included.
Please tune in for this important webinar!
Americans for Peace Now (APN) is alarmed at reports regarding the plan that the Trump administration is reportedly planning to unveil next week for peace between Israelis and Palestinians. APN joins its Israeli sister organization Shalom Achshav (Peace Now) in stating that a so-called peace plan that does not adopt the principle of two states for two peoples – two sovereign, contiguous states living side by side in peace and security within defined, recognized borders – belongs in the trashcan of history.
Since the Trump administration announced its intention to submit a "peace plan" for Israeli-Palestinian peace almost three years ago, APN suggested the following guidelines for assessing the viability of such a plan. Following are our guidelines:
