The Knesset is now considering legislation that targets progressive NGOs for extra scrutiny of their foreign donations, but does not require similar scrutiny of right-wing or settler groups. This legislation is part of a long-term effort by some Israeli hardliners, backed by the government, to weaken Israel’s democracy by stifling dissent. While its supporters attempt to liken it to existing US law, it has drawn significant opposition from many quarters, both within Israel, from the US State Department and among the American Jewish community. And still, there is a real possibility that the bill will pass in the next few weeks.

Listen to the call here

APN briefing call  with Israeli democracy expert

Mordechai (Motta) Kremnitzer 

Wednesday, January 6th Time: 1:00 pm (Eastern Time)

Professor Kremnitzer discussed the recent draft legislation aimed at silencing Israeli progressive organizations such as Peace Now, as well as other anti-democratic measures initiated by the Israeli government and the Knesset. He assessed the overall state of Israeli democracy as it faces a governmental assault on civil society, extreme right wing violence and intimidation, as well as a surge in hate speech. 

The recorded call is available here.

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Professor Mordechai Kremnitzer is Vice President of Research at the Israel Democracy Institute (IDI) and Professor Emeritus at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem Faculty of Law, where he served as Dean. He is an expert on criminal, military, and public law, and widely considered as a leading expert on Israeli democracy and democracy education. At the IDI, he has been leading the following projects: Constitutional Principles and their Implementation, National Security and Democracy, Arab-Jewish Relations, and Proportionality in Public Policy.

Thousands of Israelis, Jews and Arabs, participated in a Peace Now-sponsored march Saturday night, December 19. Starting at the Likud headquarters in Tel Aviv and ending in a rally at the Yitzhak Rabin memorial, marchers demonstrated against the bigotry, intolerance and incitement of Israel’s right wing, targeting progressive organizations and activists. Participants accused Benjamin Netanyahu’s government of setting a belligerent public tone, which inspires and encourages right-wing organizations and pundits to further escalate the discourse.

Peace Now activists carried signs saying “The Right will not Silence Me,” and “Drive away the Darkness; Stop the Fascism” as well as stickers saying: “I too am Breaking the Silence,” reference to the anti-occupation soldiers’ organization that is currently the target of right-wing attacks.

At a TED-styleStyle session, APN"s Lara Friedman spoke on the question  “What do WE (Israelis) need from the relationship with YOU (American Jews)”?

Tuesday, December 1st
5:30pm to 7pm
Room 407 of the Marvin Center (800 21st Street NW)

Join us for an event on Yitzhak Rabin's legacy, which will include a brief overview of Rabin's life and his assassination, followed by  Ori Nir speaking about his experience as a journalist on the ground during the Rabin era, the importance of the Rabin legacy, and getting to two states.

Click here for the Facebook invitation

APN's Rabbi Alana Suskin and her co-panelist Dov Waxman speak at Open Hillel's teach-in about the Jewish tradition of dissent and the changing views of Israel as regards the occupation among American Jews

"You don't support countries by enabling behavior that will harm them." -@RabbiSuskin #OpenFederations #JFNAGA

— Open Hillel (@OpenHillelNow) November 8, 2015