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.
This week, Alpher discusses Hamas' accusation that the Mossad assassinated a senior militant Friday in the heart of Gaza City; whether the killing could lead to escalation and possibly a new conflict with Hamas in Gaza; if Israeli involvement in the killing would reflect a more aggressive deterrent policy; the application of this deterrent policy on Israel's northern fronts; and the dangers of this more aggressive Israeli policy.
Aljazeera: March 23, 2017
“Israel Built 2,630 Illegal Homes in West Bank last
year,” Peace Now cites that 14,017 homes were started when Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s returned to
office in 2009.
i24 News: March 23, 2017
“US Asked Israel to Halt Building Outside Settlement Blocs,
Impose Quota: Report,” Peace Now reports that Israel’s settlement construction plans in 2016 were the second
highest number in 15 years.
Times of Israel: March 22, 2017
“West Bank Settlement Construction Up in 2016 - Report,”
Peace Now warns that the sharp increase in settlements shows the Palestinians and the international community
that Israel is not looking for two-state solution.
Arutz 7: March 22, 2017
"Construction in Judea and Samaria rises 40% in 2016,"
Peace Now says construction in West Bank settlements increased by 40% in 2016.
Jordan Times: March 22, 2017
"Sharp rise in Israeli settlement projects in 2016,"
According to Peace Now, 2016 saw a sharp 40% increase in Israeli settlement construction.
The Forward: March 15, 2017
"Dovish Jewish Groups ‘Heartbroken’ At Prospect Of Being
Banned From Israel," APN seeks clarifications from the Israeli government regarding new "Entry Law"
The U.S. Senate today confirmed, by a very narrow margin, the nomination of David Friedman to be America’s ambassador to Israel.
Americans for Peace Now (APN) strongly opposed Friedman’s confirmation and worked hard to thwart it.
Today (March 22, 2017) the Israeli Central Bureau of Statistics (ICBS) published its data on construction starts for 2016. According to the ICBS, during 2016 2,630 housing construction starts took place in West Bank settlements. This is a 40% (39.6%) increase compared to 2015 (1,901).
