Americans for Peace Now: Israeli Settlements Archives

Settlements in Focus: What's All the Fuss over Migron?

By Lara Friedman on February 6, 2012 10:31 AM | 1 Comment

Q: There is a lot of talk in the Israeli media these days about the outpost of Migron, and Peace Now has launched a major campaign around the issue, with the publication of its document "The Migron File". Why all the fuss? Why is one outpost such a big deal?

A: Migron is not just an outpost. Migron is a litmus test of Israeli rule of law and ultimately of Israel's capacity to make peace with the Palestinians.

Continue reading Settlements in Focus: What's All the Fuss over Migron?.

East Jerusalem Settlement Construction Hinders Two-State Solution

February 1, 2012 10:29 AM | 1 Comment

A new presentation by Jerusalem expert Daniel Seidemann demonstrates how planned Israeli settlement construction in East Jerusalem could make the two-state solution impossible by 2013

Continue reading East Jerusalem Settlement Construction Hinders Two-State Solution.

Peace Now: Migron Aerial Photos and Legal Docs Revealed

January 25, 2012 11:45 AM | 2 Comments

Peace Now today released the 'Migron File' - a comprehensive dossier containing all the facts and figures, aerial photos and copies of legal documents related to the illegal outpost of Migron (which the Netanyahu government is working frantically to find a way to legalize).

The "Migron File" can be viewed online or downloaded here.

Continue reading Peace Now: Migron Aerial Photos and Legal Docs Revealed.

Settlements Not an Obstacle to Peace? Get Serious. (Huffington Post)

By Lara Friedman on January 12, 2012 10:52 AM | No Comments

Nokdim Settlement Construction 186x140.jpg

Today, Peace Now released a new report entitled "Torpedoing the Two State Solution -- The Strategy of the Netanyahu Government," detailing a number of trends in settlement expansion that directly, and it seems, deliberately, undermine the viability of the two-state solution.

Continue reading Settlements Not an Obstacle to Peace? Get Serious. (Huffington Post).

Peace Now's Settlement Watch report: 2011 a record year for West Bank settlement construction

January 10, 2012 12:44 PM | No Comments

A new report by Peace Now's Settlement Watch project shows that 2011 was a record year in West Bank settlement construction. Worse, the past years highlighted dangerous trends on the ground in the West Bank, which may end up torpedoing a two-state solution: an Israeli government intention to legalize illegal outposts and thus transform them into full-fledged settlements, and building in sensitive locations such as E-1, Efrat, and Givat Hamatos, which would deny contiguity for a future Palestinian state.

Continue reading Peace Now's Settlement Watch report: 2011 a record year for West Bank settlement construction.

New APN op-ed on HuffPo: The Cost of Appeasing Settler Terrorism

By Lara Friedman on December 30, 2011 12:11 PM | No Comments

The Netanyahu government isn't serious about stopping settler violence.

This is the only possible conclusion. While Netanyahu and his cohorts denounce Jewish extremists and promise to get tough, actions speak louder than words. And their action this week on outposts sent an unmistakable message to the settlers: not only won't you pay a price for terrorism, but you'll be rewarded.

Continue reading New APN op-ed on HuffPo: The Cost of Appeasing Settler Terrorism.

Yes, Ms. Gordon, Settlements are still an obstacle to peace (response to article in Commentary)

By Lara Friedman on November 22, 2011 10:36 AM | No Comments

Last week Commentary published a piece by Evelyn Gordon entitled "If Settlements Are Only 1.1 Percent of West Bank, How Are They an Obstacle to Peace?" Does the author have a point? Only in the through-the-looking-glass world of those who will cynically seize on any argument -- even one they almost certainly know has no merit -- to defend, excuse, or justify continued settlement expansion.

Continue reading Yes, Ms. Gordon, Settlements are still an obstacle to peace (response to article in Commentary).

Settlements in Focus (Nov. 1, 2011): Settlements Back on the Agenda

By Lara Friedman on November 1, 2011 1:46 PM | No Comments

Vol. 7, Issue 1

Talk about settlement construction and a possible new settlement freeze is again in the news. In this edition of Settlements in Focus, we will highlight a number of post-moratorium trends, analyze the current talk about a new settlement freeze, and suggest what would actually be required to make a freeze sufficiently credible to restart, or continue for more than a brief interlude, Israeli-Palestinian peace negotiations. Please note that the numbers in this document reflect the best information that Peace Now has been able to obtain; additional approvals of construction and planning may have been issued that have not yet come to light.

Continue reading Settlements in Focus (Nov. 1, 2011): Settlements Back on the Agenda.

Friedman/Ofran in HuffPo: Outposts & the Abuse of Law in Service of the Settlements

By Lara Friedman on October 12, 2011 3:11 PM | No Comments

Outposts are again taking center stage in the settlements debate, as the Netanyahu government announces two new policies aimed at legalizing illegal outposts. In doing so, the Netanyahu government is sending a clear signal that it values settlements over negotiations, and it prefers "Greater Israel" to peace.

Continue reading Friedman/Ofran in HuffPo: Outposts & the Abuse of Law in Service of the Settlements .

JustVision releases short video series: Home Front - Portraits from Sheikh Jarrah

By Lara Friedman on October 12, 2011 2:46 PM | No Comments

Most people are familiar with JustVision because of its powerful film "Budrus," which chronicles one West Bank village's ultimately successful non-violent popular struggle to change the route of Israel's separation barrier. Now JustVision has released 4 powerful new short films that put a very human face on the struggle against settlers in Sheikh Jarrah. They are very much worth watching and sharing widely.

Continue reading JustVision releases short video series: Home Front - Portraits from Sheikh Jarrah.