Today Americans for Peace Now joined its Israeli sister organization, Shalom Achshav (Peace Now), in condemning the Israeli government’s announced plan to establish a new West Bank settlement in the Shiloh Valley (full details on the announcement are here).
News from Peace Now's (Israel) Settlement Watch:
On Wednesday, September 28th, two plans were promoted by the Civil Administration's Higher Planning Committee
(HPC): one plan for a new settlement east of Shilo (approved for depositing), most likely meant for the settlers of the illegal outpost o Amona, and another
for a new industrial zone west of Ramallah (approved for validation). see details below.
Peace Now: "While world leaders are gathering to commemorate Shimon Peres and his path to peace, the Israeli
government is creating another obstacle for the two state solution by establishing a new settlement in the heart of
the West Bank. The government's decision to reward settlers who stole private Palestinian lands will make the rest
of Israel's law-abiding citizens pay a heavy political price."
Americans for Peace Now (APN) mourns the death of Shimon Peres, the former president and
prime minister of the State of Israel, an icon of Israel's founding generation, a visionary of peace and
security for Israel, a dedicated leader who led Israel through wars and in the quest for peace.
News from Peace Now's (Israel) Settlement Watch:
The Israeli Central Bureau of Statistics (ICBS) published its data on construction starts earlier today. The Data
shows that in the first six months of 2016, 1,195 housing units started to be constructed in the settlements. This
is an increase of 40% in comparison to the previous six month (July-December 2015), during which 850 housing units
began to be constructed. In contrast, a 3% decrease in construction starts was noted in Israel proper (23,691
housing units in the first half of 2016 as opposed to 22,898 housing units in the second half of 2015).
Peace Now: "Netanyahu is the Prime Minister of one sector only - the settler sector, which comprises of less
than 5% of the Israeli population. His investments in the settlements do not only come on the expense of the Negev,
the Galilee and the rest of Israel but also lead towards a one state reality.
On Monday, September 5th, Decision at 50, a new organization composed of Shalom Achshav
(Peace Now), Israel’s preeminent peace movement, in cooperation with other Israeli civil society
organizations, issued the following press release:
Today (Monday, September 5th) "Decision at 50" launched a campaign demanding a referendum on the future of the Territories and the future of Israel during the 50th year of Israel's control over the West Bank and Gaza. Under the slogan "It's time to decide," the movement will promote a large scale media campaign, accompanied by public events and direct action throughout the country meant to collect signatures of Israeli citizens in support of a Knesset referendum bill.
"Decision at 50" was initiated by a group of organizations and individuals, including "Peace Now," "Blue White Future," as well as former security officials, former politicians, artists and social activists.
The founders of "Decision at 50" believe that after 50 years of Israeli control over the Palestinian Territories, and after 50 years of indecision by Israeli governments, it is time to bring the decision to the Israeli public and let the people decide on their own fate: a bi-national state or two states, 50 more years of military rule or a diplomatic resolution. "This is the most sensitive and explosive issue in Israeli society today, and we demand that after 50 years we will get the right to decide on our own future. We cannot allow ourselves another 50 years of governments' indecision, during which decisions are made every day on the ground," the founders of the initiatives say.
Shalom Achshav (Peace Now), Israel’s preeminent peace movement, in cooperation with other Israeli civil society organizations, today launched a new initiative demanding a referendum on the future of Israel’s rule over the West Bank and on peace with the Palestinians.
Americans for Peace Now, the U.S. sister organization of Shalom Achshav, supports the initiative. APN calls on all Americans who care about Israel’s future to support the call for a referendum on the occupation, which is now entering its fiftieth year.
Israel’s Peace Now movement today issued the following press release, after scoring a major victory in its fight against Israeli settlement activity in the West Bank.
High Court Orders Evacuation of 17 Structures in The Illegal Outpost of Derech Ha'Avot
Earlier today the High Court of Justice ruled on a petition submitted by Peace Now and by Palestinian landowners on the illegal outpost of Derech Ha'Avot. In its verdict, the High Court demanded that the State will evacuate 17 structures in the illegal outpost, located near Bethlehem. The court strongly criticized the State, which tried to retract its previous commitments, and over and over again postponed the enforcement of the law with regards to illegal construction in the outpost while raising a variety of contradicting excuses. The High Court ordered that the evacuation of the structures and fulfilment of the demolition order will be executed within 18 months (by March 2018), and ordered the State to pay high legal expenses.
News from Peace Now's (Israel) Settlement Watch:
News from the Peace Now's (Israel) Settlement Watch:
News from Peace Now's (Israel) Settlement Watch:
Following our exposure regarding the possible establishment of a settlement in Hebron's "Plugat Hamitkanim"
military base, below is new information uncovered in the past 24 hours.
1. It appears that former Defense Minister, Moshe Ya'alon, approved the allocation of a portion of the land where
the military base is located to the Ministry of Housing. The Housing Ministry is now preparing a plan to build 28
housing units in the area. If implemented, the plan would increase the number of settlers in Hebron by
approximately 100 (an increase of over 10% to the settler population in the city). The planning process at the
Civil Administration's High Planning Committee has not yet begun.