Peace Process

Youth Essay Winners for Peace

editor — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 10:30:57 -0800

By Hillel Schenker

Last winter's [Gaza] war ... led peace researcher Dr. Simcha Bahiri ... to initiate an ... essay for peace contest ... open to Israelis and Palestinians aged 17-24.

Partners for Progressive Israel (Meretz USA) Statement on Palestinian Application for Full UN Membership

editor — Sun, 18 Sep 2011 06:49:15 -0700

On Sunday, September 18, 2011, Partners for Progressive Israel (Meretz USA) President Dina B. Charnin, Chair Theodore Bikel, and Executive Director Ron Skolnik issued the following statement on behalf of the organization:

The Palestinian decision to advance their statehood drive via the United Nations, and outside the framework of negotiations with Israel, is a diplomatic turning point that creates risks but also offers new openings for progress toward peace. For the benefit of both the Jewish and Palestinian peoples, we urge the government of Israel to focus on the positive elements we expect to be contained in the Palestinian request, as outlined below, and to refrain from precipitous responses that would escalate tension and serve the agenda of both sides' extremists.

While we were watching the flotilla

editor — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 11:12:56 -0700

Until I read this morning's Israeli newspapers, I thought I was going to use this platform to discuss the flotilla and the fly-in protest. After all, these two related campaigns have dominated the Israel-Palestine conversation for several weeks. It's what everyone's talking about.

But as I clicked through to the various articles in today's Haaretz, I was disturbed to discover that, with all eyes glued to the Audacity of Hope, the Juliano Mer and the other flotilla vessels, Israel's government was busy promoting some rather dreadful measures that too few are paying to attention to. So rather than write the thousand and first treatment of the Gaza situation (important issue though it is), I decided instead to discuss land expropriation, the ‘boycott bill', and an initiative to undermine the funding of Israeli human rights organizations.

It’s crunch time for Israel, Mr. Netanyahu

editor — Fri, 20 May 2011 10:43:33 -0700

Barack Obama extended his hand yesterday and pleaded with Binyamin Netanyahu to grab it in order to pull Israel to safety. Before Israel goes over the cliff. Before Israel becomes a pariah state. Before Israel loses its remaining good will around the world and the few friends it still retains.

J Street’s 2nd national conference: A time of hope, not despair!

editor — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 09:24:44 -0800

As a proud partner in the 2nd national J Street conference, Meretz USA invites you to join us in Washington DC between February 26 and March 1 for this important assembly of the American Jewish pro-Israel/pro-peace camp.

When we first gathered under the J Street banner in October 2009, it was clearly a time of renewed, albeit cautious, hope. There was a new activist pro-Israel/pro-peace president in the White House; Israel's Prime Minister had just declared his nominal commitment to a two-state solution; a moratorium on Israeli settlements was in the works; and, with the boundless energy provided by J Street, the pro-Israel/pro-peace camp in the US had reached unprecedented heights.

As we head back to DC, much has changed.

On the surface, it's been a tough year for the peace camp (though, as you'll soon see, there's also some very good news to report!):

Buy Israel – Don’t Buy Settlements (They’re not the Same)

editor — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 07:57:43 -0800

Buy Israel - Don't Buy Settlements (They're not the Same)

On February 15, 2011, Meretz USA President, Dr. Moises Salinas-Fleitman, and chair Theodore Bikel issued the following statement on behalf of the organization.

Based on our love of Israel, and our sincere, abiding and growing concern for the State of Israel's secure and democratic future, Meretz USA for Israeli Civil Rights and Peace, a longstanding affiliate of the American Zionist Movement, wishes to clarify our position regarding various manifestations of the boycott/divestment/sanctions (BDS) tactics being employed around the world, including in Israel itself.

Feb. 1-26: Meretz USA Board member (and former Exec. Dir.), Charney Bromberg, on Shalom TV

editor — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 10:21:46 -0800

Start: 02/26/2011 - 6:00pm

End: 02/26/2011 - 8:00pm

Meretz USA Board member (and former Executive Director), Charney Bromberg, was a recent panelist on the Shalom TV cable network, taking part in a discussion that debated the question: Are Israel's West Bank settlements obstacles to peace?

With co-panelist Yishai Fleisher, director of programming for Arutz 7, the pro-settlement radio station in Israel, and a West Bank settler leader.

The panel discussion can be viewed online by clicking here. It will also be available Free On Demand on most cable TV systems any time between February 1-26. Go to www.shalomtv.com and click on "Find Us" on the menu bar to find out the channel numbers on your cable system. Once at the Shalom TV channel, the program can be found in the category, News and Israel, and is entitled, "Israeli Settlements & Peace: Debate"

The Palestine Papers

editor — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 08:46:43 -0800

This past week, Al Jazeera and The Guardian released on their websites a set of 1,684 confidential Palestinian Authority documents known as "The Palestine Papers". These internal emails, minutes of meetings, maps, preparatory notes and other materials are a treasure-trove of political and diplomatic information regarding Israeli-Palestinian peace negotiations between 1999 and 2010.

Although some of the more eye-catching documents have already been widely reported, there is much more to the Palestine Papers than just these attention-grabbing headlines.

Meretz USA statement on the UN resolution regarding Israel’s West Bank settlement activity

editor — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 09:34:39 -0800

As the UN Security Council deliberates on a resolution condemning Israeli settlement construction over the Green Line, we appeal to the Israeli government to act in the country’s best interest, in the interest of peace, and in the spirit of friendship with the US, and implement a complete, effective settlement freeze, unlimited in time and including the area of annexed East Jerusalem.

Meretz USA Executive Director, Ron Skolnik, on Shalom TV thru Jan. 22

editor — Mon, 27 Dec 2010 12:23:47 -0800

Start: 01/22/2011 - 6:00pm

End: 01/22/2011 - 8:00pm

Meretz USA Executive Director, Ron Skolnik, was a recent panelist on the Shalom TV cable network, taking part in a discussion that recapped the most important events impacting Israel in 2010.

With co-panelists Neal Sher (past exec. director of AIPAC), Steven Bayme (AJC), and Binyamin "Buddy" Korn (former director of CAMERA) .

The panel discussion can be viewed online by clicking here. It will also be available Free On Demand on most cable TV systems any time between December 26-January 22. Go to www.shalomtv.com and click on "Find Us" on the menu bar to find out the channel numbers on your cable system. Once at the Shalom TV channel, the program can be found in the category, News and Israel, and is entitled, "2010 Retrospective: Israel"