Secretary of State John Kerry today articulated, in the clearest possible terms, what is at stake for both Israel and the US: Israel's security and its viability as a democracy and a Jewish state. He also offered a pragmatic vision of the only way forward for Israel that ensures both.
Americans for Peace Now (APN) welcomes today's action in the United Nations Security Council in support of Israeli-Palestinian peace and the two-state solution.
Americans for Peace Now (APN) urges the Obama administration to support or abstain on today's UN Security Council resolution in support of Israeli-Palestinian peace and the two-state solution.
Americans for Peace Now (APN) is alarmed by President-elect Donald Trump's choice of David Friedman to be the United States' next ambassador to Israel. Friedman's choice sends an alarming message about the Trump administration's role in advancing Israeli-Palestinian peace.
News from Peace Now:
APN today sent the following letter to the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations regarding its decision to partner with the Republic of Azerbaijan for a Hanukkah party to be held at the Trump International Hotel in Washington:
Stephen Greenberg, Chairman
Malcolm I. Hoenlein, Executive Vice Chairman
Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations
(via email and fax)
7 December, 2016
Dear Stephen and Malcolm,
As longtime members of the Conference of Presidents, we were shocked to learn that you have decided to celebrate Hanukkah by partnering with the Republic of Azerbaijan and by choosing the Trump International Hotel in Washington, DC as the venue. We take issue with your choice of both partner and venue. Your failure to consult members of the CoP before making these odd decisions further compounds our frustration.
Americans for Peace Now (APN) is alarmed at recent statements and actions by President-elect Donald Trump's Israel affairs advisers, indicating support for West Bank settlements and dismissal of the two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. APN is calling on the President-elect to clarify that he will follow the policies of all recent US administrations – Republican and Democratic – with respect to the Israel-Palestine question.
News from Peace Now:
This morning (December 2) a plan for temporary housing on three plots of absentee property near the illegal outpost
of Amona was deposited. This was done through a special order - originally used for the Migron settlers - which
allows for the promotion of plans in an expedited process. It is now clear that the government is promoting
temporary housing for the Amona settlers in the nearby absentee property, despite Israel’s legal interpretation
since 1967 according to which absentee property cannot be used for the establishment of settlements.
It is important to note that while the plan is for eight months only, in the settlements what is temporary usually
becomes permanent. For example the two year long temporary housing for the Migron settlers from in Givat HaYekev
(or the New Migron) is still in place.
Peace Now views the regulation law as a grand land robbery, which will lead not only to the expropriation of 8,000 dunams of private Palestinian lands but might also rob Israelis and Palestinians of the possibility of arriving at a two state solution.
To read the full report click here.
Key findings:
Today, APN joined proudly with other Jewish American organizations in sending a letter to President-Elect Donald Trump. The letter lays out many of our concerns and hopes for the coming Administration and sends an unambiguous message about our work for the future:
“…you will find willing partners in the Jewish community to join with your administration if it follows a path that upholds and defends the principles of fairness, justice and freedom on which this country was built. But, we will not stand idly by if you choose to take actions that violate human rights, or that reverse the progress we have made at home and abroad. You will find us as powerful opponents of any effort to undermine these gains.”
The full text of the letter is copied below. A downloadable pdf version of the letter is available here.