Americans for Peace Now
Americans for Peace Now: August 5, 2020

"Humanity comes before any conflict, and our hearts are with the people of Lebanon following the terrible disaster that has fallen upon them."

Ron Huldai, Tel Aviv Mayor, who lit city hall up in the Lebanese flag in a show of solidarity a day after the massive explosion in Beirut.


Issue Briefs

Hard Questions, Tough Answers with Yossi Alpher

August 3, 2020 - Biden, the Democratic Platform, and the Middle East

Yossi Alpher is an independent security analyst. Views and positions expressed here are those of the writer, and do not necessarily represent APN's views and policy positions.

Q. The 2020 Democratic Platform devotes one page out of 80 to the Middle East, including three paragraphs on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Is this an adequate portrayal of party policy for a future President Biden?

A. Hardly. Nor does it aspire to be...

Q. Nothing wrong with all that. What in your opinion is missing?

A. ...The Israel that emerges is not described realistically...

Q. Well, let’s start with Israel and the Palestinians. What issues and emphases would you add?

A. If more than 15 years ago even Ariel Sharon could call the situation in the West Bank “occupation”, why can’t the Democratic Party...

Q. Are there areas where Israel’s regional policies are worthy of positive mention? Issues that are missing in the platform?

A. Israel has entered a strategic energy and security alliance in the eastern Mediterranean...

Q. You mention Syria, Yemen and Libya--all regional hotspots. The Democratic platform rejects US imposition of “regime change on other countries”. Yet a Biden administration will have to deal with these anarchic hotspots, just as it will have to confront the deteriorating stalemate on the Israeli-Palestinian front. What advice would you give Biden in this respect?

A. Let’s start with what not to do. The platform’s rejection of regime change is spot on...

Q. Bottom line: any more Middle East landmines Biden should beware of?

A. We’ve mentioned Libya. The Democratic platform mentions Syria, Iraq and of course Iran. It does not mention Egypt and Lebanon...

Read More


Government Relations

APN Legislative Round-Up: July 31, 2020

Produced by the Foundation for Middle East Peace in cooperation with Americans for Peace Now, where the Legislative Round-Up was conceived

  1. Bills, Resolutions, and Letters
  2. Hearings and Markups
  3. On the Record

Read More


APN Events

Webinar: "The Occupation as Apartheid" with Michael Sfard

Monday, August 10, 11:00 am Eastern

Leading Israeli human rights attorney Michael Sfard will speak about his recent legal opinion, commissioned by the Israeli NGO Yesh Din. In it, he concluded that Israel’s occupation of the West Bank is a form of apartheid, which constitutes a crime according to international law.

REGISTER HERE


APN's Hadar Susskind - Panelist for virtual event "What’s at stake in the West Bank Annexation?"

TOMORROW, Thursday, August 6, 7:30 pm Eastern

Case-Western Reserve University in Cleveland will hold this virtual discussion with panelists: David Bernstein, president and CEO of the Jewish Council of Public Affairs; Oren Gross, Irving Younger Professor of Law at the University of Minnesota; Rabbi Jill Jacobs, executive director of T’ruah; and Hadar Susskind, president and CEO of Americans for Peace Now.

REGISTER HERE


APN Audio

PeaceCast Episode #143: Israel's Protest Movement and the Peace Agenda

Featured guest is Eran Nissan, a key orgnizer and activist in the current Anti-Netanyahu, anti-corruption and pro-democracy protest movement in Israel. A former Peace Now staffer, he currently works for Mehazkim, a progressive Israeli activist nonprofit.

Subscribe to APN's PeaceCast at iTunes or Google Play


APN in Action

APN and partner organizations' letter re: selection of House Foreign Affairs Committee Chair

The letter to the House Democratic Caucus urged the principles of diplomacy-first, a US-Israel partnership based on shared security and democratic interests, and the defense of Palestinian rights - including for statehood, as priorities in selecting the new Foreign Affairs Committee Chair.

Go HERE to read the letter.


This is a tough time for all of us, and the demands placed upon you are considerable. As APN’s financial obligations continue, including, among others, our support of our Peace Now colleagues in Israel, please consider making a donation now. Thank you.

New tax rules for 2020: Up to $300 in charitable donations will now be deductible for those taking the standard deduction.

Reminder: Charitable contributions from sale of stocks can reduce your capital gains tax liability. APN Information to provide your stockbroker:

  • Brokerage: TD Ameritrade
  • DTC #: 0188;
  • Account #: 881348597
Questions? Call APN Controller Robert McCulloch at 617-686-2265.


©2019. Americans For Peace Now, 1320 19th Street NW, Suite 400 Washington, DC 20036.

Click here to unsubscribe

(back)