Credible and constructive policy analysis and educational resources on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Israeli politics, U.S.-Israel relations, and more.
#IsraelPolicyPod
: Hosts
@EvanGottesman
and
@elikowaz
discuss the biggest Israeli political news in recent history: the indictment of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in three corruption cases on charges of fraud, breach of trust, and bribery.
#120Project
We reject President Trump's comments suggesting ignorance and disloyalty among American Jews. The president's words are appalling but unsurprising given his record of inappropriate remarks as well as his efforts to leverage Israel as a wedge issue in U.S. politics.
The settler rampage in Jit that killed one Palestinian and terrorized many more is sadly not uncommon and emanates from a culture of lawless impunity in the West Bank. Until the Israeli government treats it as the systemic terrorism that it is, incidents like this will continue.
NEXT WEEK (11/26): With Israel’s political future more uncertain than ever, join our video briefing at 12:30pm ET/9:30am PT with Joint List leader
@AyOdeh
as he discusses the role of Israeli Arabs in breaking the country’s political deadlock. Register:
Our support for the U.S.-Israel relationship compels us to unequivocally condemn Itamar Ben Gvir, who holds antidemocratic, anti-Arab views and has a long history of racism and inciting terror. His inclusion in a coalition would undermine U.S.-Israel ties and Jewish peoplehood.
We strongly condemn Minister Itamar Ben Gvir's recent comments regarding freedom of movement. Such rhetoric is overtly racist and unacceptable.
Ben Gvir’s consistently hateful rhetoric harms Israel’s standing in the world and impacts stability for its citizens.
We were honored to host Foreign Minister
@yairlapid
today for a wide-ranging discussion on critical issues. We thank FM Lapid for his time and his valuable insights.
Contrary to
@realDonaldTrump
's reckless tweet this morning, banning members of Congress critical of Israeli government policy from visiting the country is a sign of weakness, not strength.
WATCH: Sen.
@ChrisVanHollen
questions Secretary of State Pompeo on the Trump administration's position on two states and West Bank annexation: "Is it still the policy of the United States to oppose Israel's unilateral annexation of any or all of the West Bank?"
#AnnexationWatch
We support a secure, Jewish, and democratic Israel. Inciting against Israeli citizens and delegitimizing 20%+ of its population due to their ethnicity is incompatible with a democratic Israel. Arab Israelis are no less a part of Israel than Israeli Jews.
With Palestinian officials refusing to meet their U.S. counterparts, Mahmoud Abbas could be edging Washington out of a peace process it historically led, argues
@AaronMagid
:
The far-right uses charges of anti-Semitism to suppress criticism of Israel. The radical left leverages criticism of Israel as an excuse for anti-Semitism. Read Policy Director
@mkoplow
in
@jdforward
:
.
@Uri_Savir
: While seeing Benjamin Netanyahu's political survival in jeopardy may be satisfying for Palestinians, many still worry as the Israeli prime minister's career enters uncharted waters:
We are shocked and saddened by the news from Mount Meron. Our thoughts are with the families of the victims, and we wish the injured a speedy recovery.
We express dismay over Israel's new law ending the reasonableness standard to review government decisions and appointments. This law will damage Israel’s democracy, international standing, and relations with the U.S. and American Jews.
Our full statement:
Police investigators questioned Benjamin Netanyahu for 5 hours Friday morning at the prime minister’s residence in Jerusalem in the Bezeq corruption case, a day before the prime minister is set to embark on a week-long diplomatic trip to the United States.
RETWEET: We are proud to join hundreds of prominent millennial leaders across the continent on this letter delivered to Prime Minister
@Netanyahu
before his visit to the U.S. next week. Add your voice: 🖊➡
We are dismayed at the video and images from Shireen Abu Akleh’s funeral showing the Israeli police assaulting mourners at the funeral procession while confiscating flags from civilians and from Abu Akleh’s coffin and hearse.
Read our full statement:
STATEMENT: Every civilian casualty, whether Israeli or Palestinian, is one too many, and the longer that fighting between the two sides continues, the greater the chances that there will be additional civilian casualties.
STATEMENT: We strongly oppose Prime Minister Netanyahu’s stated intent to annex the Jordan Valley following the Knesset election and to apply Israeli sovereignty to settlements following the release of the Trump peace initiative.
#AnnexationWatch
We are horrified by the despicable murder of 6-year-old Palestinian-Muslim-American Wadea Al-Fayoume and the attack on his mother, Hanaan Shahin, in Chicago. We unequivocally condemn this violent hatred and bigotry. Our thoughts and prayers are with Hanaan and her family.
Jill and I were sickened to learn of the brutal murder of a child and the attempted murder of the child’s mother yesterday in Illinois. Our condolences and prayers are with the family.
This act of hate against a Palestinian Muslim family has no place in America.
#KoplowColumn
: Despite entrenched narratives and righteous outrage, the reality on the Israel-Gaza border won't please partisans on either side of the fence, writes Policy Director
@mkoplow
:
(1/3) "The plan is an Orwellian exercise in doublespeak in which one side gets to talk about peace and two states while actually carrying out a plan that will ultimately end with a single state between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea."
Israel’s government is taking steps to change the legal status of the West Bank—de jure annexation.
This process stands to inflame tensions and cement Israeli control over the territory under a formalized system of unequal governance.
Read our explainer:
Thank you
@JoeBiden
for speaking out to emphasize the importance of preserving a viable negotiated two-state solution and stopping West Bank annexation.
APPLY: Charles Bronfman
#IPFAtid
Conveners initiate their own unique
@IsraelPolicy4m
plans and ideas following a kick-off summit in NYC and DC. Pro-Israel and foreign policy young professionals/volunteers, learn more and apply below. Deadline: 5/31/19 ➡️
We are appalled by the violent rampage in Turmus Aya by hundreds of settlers, who reportedly killed a Palestinian civilian, injured at least 12, and damaged property. Israel must do more to prevent settler terrorism. Our thoughts are with the victims and their families.
We respect the right of Israelis to select their leaders. Simultaneously, we urge Israeli leaders to reaffirm Israel’s democratic values and show that Israel is a credible member of the community of pluralistic democracies.
Read our full statement:
Israel’s stability and prosperity at 70 offers its leaders a window of opportunity to pursue the critical two-state solution from a position of unprecedented strength, writes former Israeli deputy national security adviser Chuck Freilich.
Congratulations to
@ABlinken
,
@jakejsullivan
,
@LindaT_G
, and Avril Haines named to President-elect
@JoeBiden
's team. We look forward to working with them towards our shared goal of ensuring a Jewish, democratic, and secure Israel through a viable two-state solution.
We are excited to announce that Member of
@KnessetIL
(
@Dem_Union
) and Former
@IDF
Deputy Chief of Staff
@YairGolan1
will be the keynote speaker at our 2019 annual event.
REGISTER HERE:
We are horrified by the terror attack carried out by a Hamas assailant in Jerusalem today, killing one Israeli and injuring four. We mourn the loss of Eliyahu David Kay (z”l), send our sincere condolences to his loved ones, and wish the injured victims a full and speedy recovery.
In the
@nytimes
,
@WorldJewishCong
President Ronald Lauder warns that the further Israel drifts from two states, the deeper its self-inflicted wounds will become. READ:
We firmly reject Amb. David Friedman's remarks on West Bank annexation, which are out of step with the views of major American Jewish organizations, leading pro-Israel members of Congress, and Israel's security establishment. Read more:
#AnnexationWatch
Israel Policy Forum extends a warm welcome to our new Policy Advisor,
@NeriZilber
! Neri brings a wealth of knowledge on Israeli and Palestinian politics and we’re excited for him to be joining our extended family.
It is difficult to conclude that Abbas is anything more than a lost cause at this point. It is completely unreasonable to expect anyone to sit down across a negotiating table from him after rhetoric like this, designed to cause maximum offense
Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Amnon Reshef of
@cisorgil
writes to
@nytimes
: "Israel’s long-term security and Jewish and democratic character can be assured only by separating from the Palestinians in a two-state agreement."
STATEMENT: Israel Policy Forum is dismayed at the Trump administration’s decision to formally reverse the 1979 State Department opinion that Israeli settlements in the West Bank are inconsistent with international law.
Join Israel Policy Forum for Israel's Security at 70, a timely and engaging forum on the pressing challenges the Jewish state faces seven decades out from independence. 4/29 in Chicago, IL. REGISTER:
Natalie Portman is no anti-Israel partisan. That's why her decision on the Genesis Prize ceremony may be especially telling about the Diaspora's relationship with the Jewish state, writes
@EvanGottesman
:
Israel Policy Forum supports Congressional legislation for a two-state solution, including the bipartisan Partnership Fund for Peace Act and a Senate resolution in favor of two states and against West Bank annexation. Read our statement:
We mourn the brave IDF soldier who was killed by Palestinian sniper fire, sacrificing their life in defense of the State of Israel and all its citizens.
Their name has yet to be published but we send our heartfelt condolences to their loved ones.
Several Israeli government ministers praised the appointment of
@AmbJohnBolton
as U.S. national security adviser. Bolton is known for his hawkish foreign policy views, including opposition to the Iran nuclear deal:
We're thrilled to announce
@ShiraEfron
's new role as Israel Policy Forum's Director of Research. Previously an advisor to us and the RAND Corporation, Shira is a renowned expert on Israeli-Palestinian and regional affairs and we're so excited for her to take on this new role.
Our thoughts are with the people of northern Israel. We reaffirm Israel’s right to defend itself from Hezbollah’s attacks, and hope for a swift deescalation of the present crisis.
.
@Tzipi_Livni
will continue to be one of Israel’s greatest representatives and advocates on the world stage. She is departing politics at a time when her voice is needed more than ever. Tzipi, we are truly grateful. Watch highlights of her keynote at our annual gala event in NYC:
Mazal tov to Ambassador
@DanielBShapiro
on his appointment as the State Department’s liaison to Israel on Iran! We look forward to Amb Shapiro, a friend of Israel Policy Forum, serving as a source of greater cooperation and alignment between the U.S. and Israel on Iran strategy.
Prime Minister Netanyahu's support for annexation is alarming. Should he win Tuesday's elections and form a far-right government form that begins to apply Israeli law to the West Bank the consequences will be disastrous and threaten Israel's secure, Jewish and democratic future.
Thousands of Israelis have already joined
@cisorgil
's important initiative to make sure no grave goes unvisited this Yom Hazikaron (Remembrance Day). Find out more here: (Hebrew)
Join Israel Policy Forum for Israel's Security at 70, a timely and engaging forum on the pressing challenges the Jewish state faces seven decades out from independence. 4/29 in Chicago, IL. REGISTER:
We welcome the decision to restore the longstanding policy that U.S. taxpayer dollars not fund scientific cooperation with Israeli entities in the West Bank. This embodies the U.S. view that the territory's future should be determined by Israeli-Palestinian negotiations.
Israel Policy Forum congratulates
@HerzogMK
, who was instrumental in the founding of our organization, on being named the next chairman of the
@JewishAgency
.
@EricYoffie
10.
@YairGolan1
, former deputy chief of staff of the IDF: "The time has come for the people of Zion to make their decision - annexation or preserving Israel as a Jewish and democratic state." Learn more:
#AnnexationWatch
We are devastated by today’s shooting in Tel Aviv, which has so far resulted in two civilians killed and 10 injured, and we are deeply troubled by this recent string of attacks in Israel. Our hearts are with the people of Israel, and in particular the victims and their families.
STATEMENT: "Yet another escalation by Hamas underscores the importance of establishing a more sustainable political arrangement for Gaza and the need to address the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip."
Beginning on Sunday, Israel Policy Forum is bringing our Israel's Security at 70 tour around the country. Limited tickets remain.
-4/29 Chicago:
-5/1 Washington DC:
-5/2 New York: