Jerusalem and future peace hopes
January 25, 2017
This Update looks at the debate over plans by the new Trump Administration in Washington to move the US Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem – though it now says nothing has yet been finally decided on this – and especially examines claims that such a move will be inimical to hopes for Israeli-Palestinian peace.
The Paris peace conference
January 17, 2017
This Update looks at the outcome of the French-organised conference on Israeli-Palestinian peace that took placed in Paris on Sunday. The dozens of states participating in the conference issued a declaration urging the parties resume negotiations, but making a number of other points, which you can read here. The Israeli government, which had been opposed to the conference (see Israeli PM Netanyahu’s statement about it here), appears to be relieved that the outcome was relatively innocuous compared to the recent UN Security Council Resolution 2334, while both Britain and Australia distanced themselves from the final declaration. Below is some analysis of the conference and its significance.
Video: AIJAC’s Jamie Hyams on Israeli settlements and Jerusalem – ABC News24
January 13, 2017
AIJAC’s Jamie Hyams appeared on ABC News24 on 12 January 2017 to discuss the issue of Israeli settlements, Jerusalem and prospects for Israeli-Palestinian peace.
The Aftermath of UNSC Resolution 2334
January 6, 2017
This Update deals with the implications and aftermath of UN Security Council Resolution (UNSC) 2334 (the text of the resolution is here) , which passed 14-0 with the US abstaining, on Dec. 23. The controversial resolution condemns Israel over settlements, and has a number of other provisions likely to affect Israeli-Palestinian peacemaking in the future, as discussed below.
Trump’s controversial ambassadorial pick
December 21, 2016
Today’s Update looks at US President-elect Donald Trump’s announcement that David Friedman is his pick for the next US Ambassador to Israel. Friedman has worked for Trump as a legal adviser for many years and holds a range of positions on Israel that are markedly different to the outgoing Obama Administration, including questioning the merits of the two-state formula for peace. A good profile of Friedman from the New York Times’ Isabel Kershner and Sheryl Gay Stolberg can be found here.