Americans for Peace Now

“The world is a changing place and we as a people need to adapt and embrace this change, not fear it and resort to tactics of our enemies. ... [+]  As an American Jew who loves, respects, and fully believes in the Zionist dream of a Jewish homeland in the land of our forefathers/mothers, I worry about those “New Purists” those who are attempting to steal open discourse from a community and culture that has always prided itself on it’s openness, intelligence, and willingness to grow, as well as adapt and empathize with the downtrodden and oppressed in the world. These “new purists” seem to be on a quest to re-define Zionism and who can be part of that movement. Read More ...”

Jon Segall

“Enough to the violence, to the incitement and the intolerance, enough to holding Israel hostage to zealotry, exclusionist and messianic dreams. Enough! The time has come to stand up for the Israel that we believe in, the Israel we would be proud of, the Israel that does not grant a violent minority a veto power over its future as a Jewish and democratic country. ... [+]  As a performance artist, who works to promote peace in Israel and Palestine, and as an Israeli-American who cares deeply about my homeland, I am particularly offended and outraged by fellow Israelis who are deliberately trying to ruin any hope for peace and to shatter the democratic foundations of Israel's society through violence. Read More ...”

Noa Baum, Actress and Stortyteller

“"Everyone" is a little subversive but "thee" and me, and sometimes I think even thee. ... [+]  These are the words of Uncle Sam to the Statue of Liberty as depicted in a cartoon by Daniel Fitzpatrick (1947) published during the McCarthy years. As attacks on voices of dissent increase here in Israel, these words are seen as a warning of a future we might be facing.
And why have voices of dissent recently been attacked in Israel so vehemently? I suggest it is a combination of the success those voices had in creating cracks in the propaganda of the government, together with a growing frustration of a nation lacking a clear vision of its future. Read More ...”

Hadas Ziv, Executive Director of Physicians for Human Rights - Israel

“What I care about is Israel, and the Jews, and the toxic effect of allowing ourselves to tolerate and accept violent behavior on the part of our own people.... [+]  Read More ...”

Ayelet Waldman, Author

“Notwithstanding Israel's commitment to build a strong democracy ruled by law, I am increasingly alarmed by the corrosive effect that violence upon distinguished Israelis has had on the nation’s democracy.... [+]  Faced with a society in which large sectors unabashedly declare their primary allegiance to religious law rather than to national law, faced with a political establishment that is increasingly influenced by these sectors, even the Supreme Court of Israel finds itself under unprecedented political attack from the right. Now is the time to stand up and support Israelis who are fighting to strengthen Israel’s democracy, its civil society, and its rule of law. I salute Americans for Peace Now for leading this fight by assembling the support of American Jewry and others to denounce this outrageous and growing violence.”

Victor Kovner, Peace Activist

“ What stands in the way...is not decades of regional enmity, but other Israelis. Israelis (and their supporters) who threaten and frequently carry out acts of violence, who threaten and attack not only peace activists but members of Knesset, cabinet members, and - once an unthinkable thing - soldiers serving their country. ... [+]  If people like me are no longer safe in their own home because saying the wrong thing could get them killed - what is left of the dream of a Jewish democracy? Read More ...”

Emily Hauser, Writer, Blogger, and Peace Activist

“Israel is experiencing an organized campaign against democracy and human rights. There is a thread that runs through the violent attack of the ... [+]  radical right on Palestinians, the bomb that was placed at the door of Professor Sternhell’s home, and the death threats on Defense Ministrer Ehud Barak. The effort to negate the legitimacy of peace and human rights groups and to try to stop their funding began thirty years ago against Peace Now and is now reaching new heights with the attack on the New Israel Fund.
The grave new element is the participation of Israel’s establishment – headed by Kadima and Likud – in the attack against human rights and democracy. It is manifested in Knesset legislation. Examples include the “Admissions Committee Bill,” which could block Arab citizens from living in some Israeli towns and proposed legislation to prevent foreign funding for political associations. The establishment’s endorsement spills over to police violence against peace activists in the streets, the clear example of which is the police’s handling of protests in East Jerusalem’s Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood.
If we don’t wake up soon, it may be too late.”

Mossi Raz. Former Knesset Member

“It’s an attack on the fiber of Israeli democracy. And part of an increasing drumbeat of incredibly heavy-handed tactics being used by authorities and others to silence human rights and civil rights organizations in Israel. Read More ...”

Daniel Sokatch, New Israel Fund Chief Executive Officer

“There are times when one cannot sit quietly. The settlers and the right - with tremendous help from the government, legal system and financial powers - are abusing the Palestinians in a thousand ways. They are complicating the situation to such an extent as to make any peace agreement impossible, and are basically destroying our future. Read More ...”

David Grossman, Israeli Author and Peace Activist

“Our commitment to the future of Israeli society will not be influenced by baseless slander or personal attacks. Read More ... ”

Hagai El-Ad, Executive Director of The Association for Civil Rights in Israel (ACRI)