http://peacenowconversation.org From <a href="http://www.peacenow.org" target="_blank">Americans for Peace Now</a> (APN), this blog is intended to provide an ongoing dialogue about the efforts for peace in the Middle East. Fri, 31 Jul 2009 15:44:39 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en We launched our new website today (Yay!). This blog is no longer being updated. Come visit us at www.peacenow.org. http://peacenowconversation.org/?p=268 The following is a statement on the Obama Administration's policy on Jerusalem issued today by APN, Ameinu, Brit Tzedek v'Shalom, Meretz USA, and J Street: We are Jewish American organizations who have a deep and abiding connection to Jerusalem and believe that Jerusalem is and always will be the capital of ... http://peacenowconversation.org/?p=267 In Friday's Legislative Round-Up I highlighted a new letter being circulated in the Senate by Senators Evan Bayh (D-IN) and James Risch (R-ID).  The letter,  which is the top item on the "Take Action" page on the AIPAC website, focuses exclusively on President Obama's call for Arab states to take ... http://peacenowconversation.org/?p=266 Water is a big problem in the Middle East. Israel doesn’t have much, and some of what it does have is a source of great dispute between Israelis and Palestinians. Israel’s neighbor, Jordan, has even less. Jordan and Israel are no longer enemies, but relations between the two nations certainly ... http://peacenowconversation.org/?p=265 In May, on a visit to Jerusalem, I spent half a day in Silwan, where an extremist settlers’ group runs and profits from an archaeological site – arguably the most sensitive and most politically-charged archaeological dig in the world. The group, Elad, is busily Judaizing Silwan, turning it into "Ir David," ... http://peacenowconversation.org/?p=264 Settlements in Focus “Abusing Jerusalem to Assail Peace: the Case of the Shepherd's Hotel” (Vol. 5, Issue 4 -- July 22, 2009) A publication of Americans for Peace Now -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Q: What does this current controversy in Jerusalem mean for peace? The current project is a direct challenge to President Barack Obama and his effort to ... http://peacenowconversation.org/?p=263 This post was written by APN Intern Elizabeth Goldstein The issue of water in Israel may be back in the public conscience. Last week, New York Times op-ed contributor Stanley Weiss wrote about the effect that water crises have had, or could have on the political climate of the region. Such ... http://peacenowconversation.org/?p=262 Testimonies about the IDF’s conduct during the Gaza War by 54 Israeli soldiers have renewed debate in Israel about the moral toll of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict on Israeli society. Not surprising they have been criticized by some. They even sparked a counter effort. Clearly, they've struck a nerve. Now a number ... http://peacenowconversation.org/?p=261 According to the website of “Christians United for Israel” (CUFI) a number of members of Congress, Jewish community officials, and even a senior Israeli diplomat are speaking at their conference this week. This is disturbing, because CUFI advocates policies that are bad for Israel, bad for America, and bad for peace. ... http://peacenowconversation.org/?p=260 For years, Israelis and opponents of Middle East peace efforts accused Yasser Arafat of speaking out of both sides of his mouth - saying one thing in English, when the whole world was listening, and saying something else in Arabic when addressing Palestinians and the Arab world.  They used this ... http://peacenowconversation.org/?p=259