Editing Peace Now

{{Short description|Israeli peace advocacy group}}
{{pp-30-500|small=yes}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2020}}
{{Infobox organization
| name              = Peace Now
| image             = [[File:Peace Now logo.svg|200px]]
| type              = [[Non-profit organization|Non-profit]]<br />[[Non-governmental organisation|NGO]]
| founded_date      = {{start date and age|1978}}<ref name="wwa"/>
| tax_id            = 
| registration_id   =
| founders          =  [[Amos Oz]]<ref name="oz"/><br />[[Amir Peretz]]<br />[[Yuli Tamir]]<br />[[Tzaly Reshef]]<ref name="knes"/><br /> Janet Aviad<br /> Gavri Bargil<ref>[http://www.ameinu.net/about/bios.php About Us] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111016195853/http://www.ameinu.net/about/bios.php |date=16 October 2011 }} [[Ameinu]] Retrieved 16 November 2011</ref><br /> Galia Golan<br />[[Avshalom Vilan]]
| location          = [[Tel Aviv]], [[Jerusalem]], Israel<ref name="wwa"/>
| coordinates       = <!-- {{Coord|LAT|LON|display=inline,title}} -->
| origins           = 
| key_people        = Shaqued Morag (Director)<ref name="team">{{cite web | title=Our Team | website=Peace Now | date=2018-11-13 | url=https://peacenow.org.il/en/about-us/our-team | access-date=2021-01-20}}</ref><br />Yariv Oppenheimer (Secretary)<ref name="wwa"/><br />[[Hagit Ofran]] (Settlement Watch Director)<ref name="wwa"/>
| area_served       = [[Israel]] and the [[Israeli-occupied territories]]<ref name="wwa"/>
| focus             = [[Two-state solution]] to the [[Israeli–Palestinian conflict]]<ref name="stand">{{cite web|url=http://peacenow.org.il/eng/content/what-we-stand|title= What We Stand For|publisher=Peace Now|access-date=15 November 2011}}</ref>
| method            = "public campaigns, advertisements, petitions, distribution of educational materials, conferences, lectures, surveys, dialogue groups, street activities, vigils, and demonstrations."<ref name="wwa">{{cite web|url=http://peacenow.org.il/eng/content/who-we-are|title=Who We Are|publisher=Peace Now|access-date=15 November 2011}}</ref>
| revenue           = 
| endowment         = 
| num_volunteers    = 
| num_employees     = 
| num_members       = over 10,000<ref name="wwa"/>
| homepage          = {{URL|peacenow.org.il/eng}}
}}

'''Peace Now''' ({{langx|he|שלום עכשיו}} ''Shalom Achshav'', {{IPA|he|ʃaˈlom (ʔ)aχˈʃav|IPA}}) is an Israeli liberal advocacy organization<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/10/world/middleeast/10ariel.html|title=A West Bank Enclave Is on Edge|first=Isabel|last=Kershner|work=The New York Times |date=9 September 2010|via=NYTimes.com}}</ref> with the aim of promoting a [[two-state solution]] to the [[Israeli–Palestinian conflict]].

==Early activism==
In an official document from 1982 Peace Now advocated for an undivided Jerusalem as Israel's capital.<ref name=attali>{{cite news|last=Attali|first=Amihai|script-title=he:אם תרצו נגד שלום עכשיו: הקרב על י-ם|url=http://www.nrg.co.il/online/1/ART2/369/407.html?hp=1&cat=404|access-date=20 May 2012|newspaper=[[Nrg (Maariv)]]|date=18 May 2012|language=he|trans-title=Im Tirtzu v. Peace Now: the battle for Jerusalem|quote='לא תמיד הייתה שלום עכשיו תנועה כל כך קיצונית', נטען בסרטון, שמציג מסמך עקרונות של שלום עכשיו משנת 1982 בו נקבע כי ירושלים לא תחולק." "'הנה לדוגמא רק בשנת 2009 קיבלה שלום עכשיו 844 אלף שקל משגרירות נורבגיה, 731 אלף מבריטניה, ו-555 אלף מממשלת בלגיה.'}}</ref> It has since shifted its position to ''two capitals for two states'' – a solution based on demographic breakdowns with a special agreement for the Old City.

Peace Now again came to prominence following Israel's [[1982 Invasion of Lebanon]], and in particular the massacre of [[Palestinian refugees]] by [[Christian Lebanese]] [[Phalangists]] at the [[Israel]]i controlled [[Shatila refugee camp|Sabra and the Shatila refugee camp]]. On 25 September 1982 Peace Now held a mass protest in Tel Aviv in order to pressure the government to establish a national inquiry commission to investigate the massacres, as well as calling for the resignation of the [[defence minister]] [[Ariel Sharon]].<ref name="knes">{{cite web|url=http://www.knesset.gov.il/lexicon/eng/peace_now_eng.htm|title=Peace Now – Knesset's Definition|publisher=Knesset|access-date=16 November 2011}}</ref> Peace Now's 1982 demonstration was attended by 400,000 people, approximately 10% of Israel's population at the time.<ref>[http://www.peacenowcanada.org/achievements= Achievements]{{Dead link|date=July 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Canadian Friends of Peace Now Retrieved 20 November 2011</ref>

===Emil Grunzweig===
In the wake of the [[Sabra and Shatila massacre]], Peace Now led a march from Zion Square and moved towards the Prime Ministers' Office in Jerusalem on 10 February 1983. During the march Peace Now demonstrators encountered a group of right-wing activists. In the ensuing confrontation, [[Yona Avrushmi]] tossed a hand-grenade into the crowd, killing [[Emil Grunzweig]], a prominent Peace Now activist, and injuring several others.<ref>{{cite news
 | title = Thousands attend Israeli's funeral
 | url = http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=FA0A1FF63F5F0C718DDDAB0894DB484D81
 | work = The New York Times
 | date = 12 February 1983
 | access-date =25 August 2007
}}</ref><ref>{{cite news
 | first = David K.
 | last = Shipler
 | title = A crude shrine rises at spot where bomb halted protest
 | url = http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F50711FD3E5F0C758DDDAB0894DB484D81
 | work = The New York Times
 | date = 16 February 1983
 | access-date =25 August 2007
}}</ref><ref>{{cite news
 | first = David K.
 | last = Shipler
 | title = Israel begins to note Jewish terrorism
 | url = http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F40715F63D5F0C7A8EDDA80894DC484D81
 | work =The New York Times
 | date = 29 January 1984
 | access-date =25 August 2007
}}</ref>

Yona Avrushmi was duly arrested, convicted of murder and given a mandatory life sentence, which was commuted to 27 years by President [[Ezer Weizman]] in 1995. Avrushmi was released on 26 January 2011.<ref>{{cite news
 | title = The troubled personality of Yona Avrushmi
 | url = http://www.jpost.com/NationalNews/Article.aspx?id=205403
 | work = The Jerusalem Post
 | date = 12 January 2011
 | access-date =20 November 2011
}}</ref>

As a result of mounting public pressure on [[Menachem Begin]] to adopt the [[Kahan Commission]]'s recommendations [[Ariel Sharon]] agreed to step down as Defence Minister.  However, he remained in the government as a minister without portfolio.<ref>[http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/biography/sharon.html Ariel Sharon] [[Jewish Virtual Library]] Retrieved 20 November 2011</ref>

==Peace Now and the First Intifada (1987–1993)==
In 1988 [[Yasser Arafat]] (Chairman of the [[PLO]]) publicly accepted [[United Nations Security Council Resolution 242]] at the [[Palestinian National Council|PNC]] in Algiers. For the first time, [[Yasser Arafat]] accepted Israel's existence according to its borders set out in [[United Nations General Assembly Resolution 181]], and rejected and condemned the use of terrorism in all its forms. In reaction Peace Now led a demonstration of more than 100,000 people, calling for immediate Israeli-Palestinian negotiations for the purposes of attaining peace between the two parties.<ref>[http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/Foreign%20Relations/Israels%20Foreign%20Relations%20since%201947/1984-1988/408%20PLO%20Statement-%207%20December%201988= Palestinian Declaration of Independence – 1988] [[Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs]] Retrieved 20 November 2011</ref><ref>[http://middleeast.about.com/od/humanrightsdemocracy/f/me090401a.htm What Is Israel's Peace Now?] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120114155745/http://middleeast.about.com/od/humanrightsdemocracy/f/me090401a.htm |date=14 January 2012 }} [[About.com]] Retrieved 20 November</ref> Following this, Peace Now led the [[Hands Around Jerusalem]] event, in which 25,000 Israelis and Palestinians linked hands to encircle the walls of the Old City of Jerusalem in a chain of peace.  
<ref>[http://jwa.org/encyclopedia/article/peace-movement-in-united-states Peace Movement in the United States] [[Jewish Women Comprehensive Encyclopedia]] Retrieved 20 November 2011</ref>

In part due to the Israeli-Palestinian discourse engendered by Peace Now and its activists, Israeli Prime Minister [[Yitzchak Rabin]] and [[Yasser Arafat]] succeeded in signing the [[Declaration of Principles]]/[[Oslo Accords]] on the lawn of the [[White House]] on 13 September 1993. Peace Now was the first Israeli organisation to meet with the [[PLO]], at a time when such an undertaking was deemed illegal by the Israeli government.<ref>Mitchell, Thomas. "Indispensable Traitors: Liberal Parties in Secular Conflicts". Greenwood Press, 2002, p.13</ref>

Peace Now supported the [[Oslo Accords]], and since then it has called upon all Israeli administrations to date to adhere to the terms of interim agreements which were agreed upon as part of the [[Oslo Peace Process]].<ref name="wwa"/>

==Peace Now and the Second Intifada (2000–2005)==
Since the outbreak of the violent [[Second Intifada]] in December 2000, Peace Now has arguably lost a certain degree of the Israeli public's support. While the [[First Intifada]] was largely a popular movement on the part of the Palestinian public, the Second Intifada consisted of far more violent confrontations between Palestinian militants and the [[Israel Defense Forces|IDF]], Israeli settlers within the [[West Bank]] and the [[Gaza Strip]], and Israeli civilians. According to the [[Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs]], 132 Israeli individuals were killed by Palestinian militant bomb/suicide attacks within Israel proper between 2000 and 2004.<ref>[http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/Terrorism-+Obstacle+to+Peace/Palestinian+terror+since+2000/Suicide+and+Other+Bombing+Attacks+in+Israel+Since.htm Suicide and Other Bombing Attacks in Israel Since the Declaration of Principles (Sept 1993)] [[Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs]] Retrieved 21 November 2011</ref>

Despite the arguable decline in the Israeli public's support for the [[Oslo Peace Process]],<ref name="Dor2003">{{cite web|url=http://www.pij.org/details.php?id=38|title=Media and the Second Intifada|author=Daniel Dor|author-link=Daniel Dor|year=2003|publisher=Palestine-Israel Journal, Vol.10 No.2|access-date=4 September 2015}}</ref><ref name="Gawerc2012">{{cite book|last=Gawerc|first=Michelle I. |title=Prefiguring Peace: Israeli-Palestinian Peacebuilding Partnerships|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Hka8FZ4UdWUC|year=2012|publisher=Lexington Books|isbn=9780739166109|pages=41–42}}</ref> Peace Now succeeded in leading a demonstration of between 60,000<ref>"Police said"</ref> to 100,000<ref>according to "Peace Now"</ref> in May 2002, after Israeli military forces began on 29 March a large-scale military [[Operation Defensive Shield]] in the West Bank and as Prime Minister Ariel Sharon was mobilizing reserve forces for a possible military invasion of Gaza. The demonstration was held under the banner "Get Out of The Territories".<ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/2002/05/12/world/mideast-turmoil-the-overview-israeli-troops-standing-by-on-the-outskirts-of-gaza.html Israeli Troops Standing By on the Outskirts of Gaza] ''[[The New York Times]]''</ref><ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/1982024.stm Thousands rally for peace in Tel Aviv] [[BBC News]], 12 May 2002. Retrieved 21 November 2011</ref> According to "Peace Now" itself, shortly after the outbreak of the Second Intifada, it was instrumental in creating the Israeli Peace Coalition, which later evolved into the Israeli-Palestine Peace Coalition.<ref name="wwa"/>{{clarify|date = September 2015|reason=has it connection to the 2nd Intifada?}} Its main objective is to end the Israeli occupation of Palestinian lands, and to achieve a just, lasting and comprehensive peace based on a two-state solution.<ref>[http://www.conflict-prevention.net/page.php?id=172&formid=173&action=show&organisationid=4611# Israeli Palestinian Peace Coalition (IPPC)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120415085016/http://www.conflict-prevention.net/page.php?id=172&formid=173&action=show&organisationid=4611 |date=15 April 2012 }} [[Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict]] Retrieved 21 November 2011</ref>{{clarify|date = September 2015|reason=has it connection to the 2nd Intifada?}}

===Israel's unilateral disengagement from the Gaza Strip===
Peace Now was a key advocate of Israel's 2004 [[Israeli disengagement from Gaza|Disengagement Plan]]. Peace Now led the 'Mate ha-Rov' ("majority camp") demonstration on 14 May 2004 in Tel Aviv, in order to pressure the Israeli government to adopt the Disengagement Plan.<ref>[http://democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=124x69060 Thousands of Israelis Urge Gaza Pullout] Democratic Underground Retrieved 21 November 2011</ref>{{better source needed|date=May 2025}} However, support for the Disengagement Plan faced contention within the Peace Now camp over its unilateral nature. Peace Now decided it was most important for Israel to withdraw from the Gaza Strip, regardless of how this withdrawal was to take place.

==Settlement Watch==

===Settlement activity===
[[File: Shalomnow protest.jpg|thumb|right|2007 Peace Now demonstration in Hebron]]

Peace Now's Settlement Watch project monitors and protests against the building of Jewish settlements in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. [[Dror Etkes]] headed this committee until 2007, when he was replaced by [[Hagit Ofran]]. The project focuses on the following issues with regards to the settlements:-

Peace Now's Settlement Watch project has resulted in the following developments:-

* [[Amona, Mateh Binyamin|Amona]] (2005) – Peace Now motioned to the Supreme Court demanding the evacuation of the settlement in Amona. Their motion was accepted and the settlement was evacuated by security forces several months later.<ref name="knes"/>
* A decision, never implemented, to remove of all illegal [[West Bank]] settlements (March 2011) – Following a petition submitted by Peace Now to the [[Israeli Supreme Court]], [[Benyamin Netanyahu]]'s government ordered that the state dismantle all illegal West Bank outposts built on private Palestinian land by the end of 2011.<ref>{{cite news
 | title = Cabinet: All West Bank outposts on private Palestinian land to go by year's end
 | url = http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/cabinet-all-west-bank-outposts-on-private-palestinian-land-to-go-by-year-s-end-1.347693
 | work = Haaretz
| date = 7 March 2011
 | access-date =24 November 2011
}}</ref>

* [[Migron, Mateh Binyamin|Migron]] (ongoing)- Following a petition to the [[Israeli Supreme Court]] by Peace Now, the state was ordered to dismantle Migron, the largest illegal settlement outpost in the West Bank, by April 2012. This was key as this was the first time the Supreme Court had ordered the Israeli state to dismantle an outpost in the West Bank.<ref>{{cite news
 | title = Israel's Supreme Court orders state to dismantle largest West Bank outpost
 | url = http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/israel-s-supreme-court-orders-state-to-dismantle-largest-west-bank-outpost-1.376583
 | work = Haaretz
| date = 2 August 2011
 | access-date =24 November 2011
}}</ref>

Similarly, the movement continues activity on the ground in support of evacuation through demonstrations, vigils and other campaign activity. Activities include:

*Updates on settlement expansion by means of aerial photography/ground surveys
*Publication of figures to the public and decision makers in Israel as well as around the world (American government officials often rely on data presented by Peace Now to assess the nature of Israel's various settlement programs)<ref>{{cite news
 | title = Haaretz WikiLeaks exclusive / Israel's Peace Now updates U.S. on West Bank construction
 | url = http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/haaretz-wikileaks-exclusive-israel-s-peace-now-updates-u-s-on-west-bank-construction-1.354656
 | work = Haaretz
| date = 7 April 2011
 | access-date =27 November 2011
}}</ref>

===Leaked diplomatic cables===
According to [[United States diplomatic cables leak|diplomatic cables leaked]] in April 2011, Peace Now has regularly updated both the U.S. government and the Israeli Ministry of Defense on ongoing settlement construction in the West Bank.<ref name="h2011-04-07">{{cite web|url=http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/haaretz-wikileaks-exclusive-israel-s-peace-now-updates-u-s-on-west-bank-construction-1.354656|title=Haaretz WikiLeaks exclusive / Israel's Peace Now updates U.S. on West Bank construction|last=Aderet|first=Ofer|date=7 April 2011|work=Haaretz|access-date=8 April 2011}}</ref> The documents indicate that the Defence Ministry used Peace Now's services to monitor West Bank settlement construction.<ref name="h2011-04-07"/> In 2006, Peace Now director Yariv Oppenheimer reportedly urged the U.S. to pressure Israel into evacuating West Bank outposts, according to a leaked U.S. diplomatic cable.<ref name="h2011-04-07"/> Oppenheimer was quoted as saying that Israel might "evacuate a few outposts to show the U.S. that it is doing something, but in exchange it is trying to co-opt the settlers by retroactively approving some outposts and giving them a freer hand in building in the West Bank."<ref name="h2011-04-07"/>

===2006 settlement report===
In a report issued in November 2006, Peace Now wrote that 38.8 percent of the land set aside for Israeli settlements, outposts and industrial land in the West Bank was privately owned by Palestinians.<ref name=SettlementReport>Dror Etkes & Hagit Ofran: [http://peacenow.org.il/eng/sites/default/files/Breaking_The_Law_in_WB_nov06Eng.pdf ''Breaking the law in the West Bank – One violation leads to another: Israeli Settlement Building on Private Palestinian Property''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160315082904/http://peacenow.org.il/eng/sites/default/files/Breaking_The_Law_in_WB_nov06Eng.pdf |date=15 March 2016 }} Peace Now, October 2006.</ref> This included 86.4 percent of the land set aside for [[Ma'ale Adumim]] and 35.1 percent of [[Ariel (city)|Ariel]]'s land.<ref name=SettlementReport/> After successfully appealing to a court for access to a government database operated by the [[Israeli Civil Administration]], Peace Now reduced its overall estimate to 32.4 percent and the estimate for Ma'ale Adumim to 0.5 percent.<ref name=Haaretz2007>{{Cite news|url=http://www.haaretz.com/news/peace-now-32-of-land-held-for-settlements-is-private-palestinian-property-1.215530|title=Peace Now: 32% of Land Held for Settlements Is Private Palestinian Property - Haaretz - Israel News Haaretz.com|website=Haaretz|access-date=2016-09-24}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://archive.peacenow.org/entries/archive3537#more|title=Official Israeli Government Data Confirms: Large Part of West Bank Jewish Settlements Sit on Privately-Owned Palestinian Land - Americans for Peace Now|website=Americans for Peace Now}}</ref> A spokesman for the Civil Administration replied that the new report was still "inaccurate in many places".<ref name=Haaretz2007/>

==Internet campaigns==
Peace Now seeks to promote its various causes via an active presence on such social networking sites as [[Facebook]]. Against the background of the 'Boycott Laws' which were being passed through the [[Knesset]] in July 2011,<ref>{{cite news
 | title = Israel law targets boycott campaigns
 | url = https://www.latimes.com/world/la-xpm-2011-jul-12-la-fg-israel-boycott-20110712-story.html
 | work = Los Angeles Times
| date = 12 July 2011
 | access-date =27 November 2011
}}</ref> the popular Israeli internet site 'Horim B’reshet' made a survey of the most popular Israeli protest [[Facebook]] pages, of which Peace Now's page ranked 5th.<ref>[http://www.holesinthenet.co.il/archives/26383 Tמגלעד ועד דימונה: 30 דפי המחאה המובילים בפייסבוק] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111021032322/http://www.holesinthenet.co.il/archives/26383 |date=21 October 2011 }} 'Horim B’reshet' Retrieved 27 November 2011 {{in lang|he}}</ref>

==West Bank tours for opinion-makers==
Peace Now aims to educate leading decision makers on the perceived counterproductive effects the settlements have on the attainment of the two-state solution.

One such tour was conducted by Peace Now in August 2009 and attended by such figures as 
[[Member of Knesset|MK]]s [[Ophir Pines-Paz]] ([[Labor Party (Israel)|Labor]]), [[Daniel Ben-Simon]] (Labor) and [[Chaim Oron]] ([[Meretz]] Chairman).<ref>{{cite news
 | title = MKs, leftists tour West Bank outposts
 | url = http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3766925,00.html
 | publisher = Ynet
| date = 25 August 2009
 | access-date =27 November 2011
}}</ref>

==Demonstrations/rallies==
[[File:Rabin Square 011114 02.jpg|thumbnail|Peace Now at the Rabin memorial rally in Rabin Square, 1 November 2014]]
Peace Now organises demonstrations and rallies in support of peace and human rights:-

*Rally Against Racism (26 February 2011) – Peace Now joined 1,500 other activists at Zion Square, Jerusalem, to protest against the spate of government policies dealing with the nature of the citizenship of Arab-Israelis living within the Israeli state; especially those forwarded by Israel's outspoken Foreign Minister [[Avigdor Lieberman]] ([[Yisrael Beiteinu]]).<ref>{{cite news
 | title = Hundreds rally in Jerusalem against racism
 | url = http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4034499,00.html
 | publisher = Ynet
| date = 26 February 2011
 | access-date =27 November 2011
}}</ref>
*In support of a Palestinian state in the [[West Bank]] and the [[Gaza Strip]] (4 June 2011) – Peace Now joined 5000 other activists in a march in [[Tel Aviv]], to support the Palestinian bid for [[United Nations]] membership as an independent state.<ref>{{cite news
 | title = Thousands march in Tel Aviv in support of Palestinian state based on 1967 borders
 | url = http://www.haaretz.com/news/national/thousands-march-in-tel-aviv-in-support-of-palestinian-state-based-on-1967-borders-1.365923
 | work = Haaretz
| date = 4 June 2011
 | access-date =27 November 2011
}}</ref>
*Against the 'Boycott Law' (10 July 2011) – Peace Now held a protest in Jerusalem in response to proposed [[Knesset]] legislation stating that any boycott against Israel or any group located within territory it controls, including the [[West Bank]], would be labeled a civil offense. This law made boycotters subject to litigation and financial penalties.<ref>{{cite news
 | title = Knesset braces for 'Boycott bill' vote
 | url = http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4093150,00.html
 | publisher = Ynet
| date = 10 July 2011
 | access-date =27 November 2011
}}</ref><ref>{{cite news
 | title = Peace Now protests boycott bill
 | url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2dGdGTolsE&feature=youtu.be
 | publisher = Jposttv
| date = 10 July 2011
 | access-date =27 November 2011
}}</ref> Following the passing of the boycott legislation into law, Peace Now led a campaign calling for the boycott of settlement produce.<ref>{{cite news
 | title = Peace Now launches boycott of settlement products
 | url = http://www.jpost.com/NationalNews/Article.aspx?id=229044
 | work = The Jerusalem Post
| date = 12 July 2011
 | access-date =27 November 2011
}}</ref>
* '[[Glenn Beck]] go home' (24 August 2011) – In response to [[Glenn Beck]]'s 'Restoring Courage' tour in Israel, Peace Now activists protested outside the Jerusalem rally held by the conservative American broadcaster, claiming that his ultra-conservative values inflamed the already tense situation with regards to the Israel and Palestine situation.<ref>{{cite news
 | title = Peace Now rally calls on Glenn Beck to 'go home!'
 | url = http://www.jpost.com/NationalNews/Article.aspx?id=235264
 | work = The Jerusalem Post
| date = 24 August 2011
 | access-date =27 November 2011
}}</ref>
*[[Yitzchak Rabin]] Memorial Rally – Every year since former Israel Prime Minister [[Yitzchak Rabin]]'s assassination (4 November 1995), Peace Now activists take part in an annual rally in [[Rabin Square]] (Tel Aviv) to commemorate the statesman's life, and to issue calls in support for the re-invigoration of the [[Middle East Peace Process]].<ref>{{cite news
 | title =16 years on: Annual Tel Aviv rally remembers Rabin
 | url = http://www.jpost.com/NationalNews/Article.aspx?id=245332
 | work = The Jerusalem Post
| date = 11 August 2011
 | access-date =27 November 2011
}}</ref>
*In support of 'Freedom of Speech' (22 November 2011) – In response to a proposed government amendment to Israel's '[[Defamation|Defamation Law]]', which would increase the maximum compensation paid for libel violations sixfold to NIS 300,000 (roughly $80,500), regardless of proof of damages, Peace Now led a 2000-strong rally in Tel Aviv.<ref>{{cite news
 | title =Libel bill passes first Knesset reading
 | url = http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4151377,00.html
 | publisher = Ynet
| date = 21 November 2011
 | access-date =28 November 2011
}}</ref><ref>{{cite news
 | title =Thousands protest against 'libel bill'
 | url = http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4151861,00.html
 | publisher = Ynet
| date = 22 November 2011
 | access-date =28 November 2011
}}</ref>

=='Price-Tag' attacks against Peace Now activists==
{{Main|Price tag attack policy}}
Due to Peace Now's continued opposition to the development and construction of Jewish settlements in the [[West Bank]]/[[East Jerusalem]], the organisation and several of its leading activists have been subject to 'price-tag' attacks and death-threats.

A 'price-tag' attack is defined as a violent act committed against Palestinians, Israeli security forces and/or anti-settlement organizations by pro-settlement advocates in retaliation for terrorist attacks on Israeli targets, government demolition of structures in West Bank settlements or curbs on Israeli settlement construction in the West Bank.<ref name="tag">{{cite news|url=http://www.haaretz.com/news/national/jerusalem-police-arrest-suspect-in-price-tag-attacks-on-peace-now-offices-1.394598|title=Jerusalem police arrest suspect in 'price tag' attacks on Peace Now offices|newspaper=Haaretz |publisher=Ha'aretz 9 November 2011 |access-date=28 November 2011}}</ref>

In response to the demolition of three homes in the Migron settlement (as a result of a petition submitted to the Israeli Supreme Court by Peace Now in 2006), right-wing demonstrators spray-painted 'Price Tag Migron', 'Revenge' and 'Death to Traitors' on the entrance to the residence of Hagit Ofran, the head of Peace Now's 'Settlement Watch' project, in early October 2011.<ref>{{cite news
 | title =Activist's home vandalized in latest 'price tag' attack
 | url = http://www.jpost.com/DiplomacyAndPolitics/Article.aspx?id=237635
 | work = The Jerusalem Post
| date = 12 September 2011
 | access-date =28 November 2011
}}</ref> Following the incident, a police investigation was opened. Approximately two months later, another 'price tag' attack was carried out, again at Hagit Ofran's residence.<ref>{{cite news
 | title ='Rabin is waiting for you' spray-painted on leftist's building
 | url = http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4145329,00.html
 | publisher = Ynet
| date = 8 November 2011
 | access-date =28 November 2011
}}</ref>

At the 2011 Rabin commemoration rally in Tel Aviv, Hagit Ofran stated in reference to the recent 'price tag attacks':

"The graffiti was sprayed in my home, but the taunts are in all of our stairwells. The tag may have marked me, but we all pay the price. We must not fear. We are here, and we are many. We have a voice and we must raise it. And today we say to Benjamin Netanyahu: We are not afraid."<ref>{{cite news
 | title =Peace Now activist Ofran: 'We must not fear. We are here, and we are many'
 | url = http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/peace-now-activist-ofran-we-must-not-fear-we-are-here-and-we-are-many-1.395227
 | work = Haaretz
| date = 13 November 2011
 | access-date =28 November 2011
}}</ref>

On 6 November 2011, Peace Now's Jerusalem office received a bomb threat. Police were called to the scene and the building was evacuated. The threat was later found to be a hoax.<ref>{{cite news
 | title =Jerusalem offices of Peace Now evacuated after bomb threat
 | url = http://www.haaretz.com/news/national/jerusalem-offices-of-peace-now-evacuated-after-bomb-threat-1.394063
 | work = Haaretz
| date = 6 November 2011
 | access-date =28 November 2011
}}</ref> Following a brief investigation, Jerusalem District Police arrested a 21-year-old male resident of a settlement near Jerusalem who was suspected of vandalizing Peace Now offices in Jerusalem. Police also tried to ascertain whether the suspect was involved in the 'price-tag' attacks on Hagit Ofran's residence.<ref name="tag"/> A gag order was initially placed on the publication of his name and picture due to the "ongoing investigation" into the attacks.<ref>{{cite news
 | title =Jerusalem 'price tag' suspect arrested
 | url = http://www.jpost.com/NationalNews/Article.aspx?id=245030
 | work = The Jerusalem Post
| date = 10 November 2011
 | access-date =28 November 2011
}}</ref> Once the investigation was complete, the gag order remained in effect, despite the suspect not being a minor. The order also applied to details about the suspect's parents, due to the politically sensitive nature of their occupation.

Although the suspect had been arrested two months previously for issuing death threats against Peace Now's Director General Yariv Oppenhimer and a bomb hoax at the organisation's Jerusalem office, he was released shortly afterwards.

Following court proceedings against the suspect, he was released to house arrest and forced to wear an electronic bracelet, yet his 'price-tag' activities continued. On 27 November 2011, it was reported that the unnamed individual issued death-threats (via email) against all of Peace Now's core team from his Jerusalem house. The gag order remained.<ref>{{cite news
 | title ='Price tag' suspect emailed death threats from house arrest, police says
 | url = http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/price-tag-suspect-emailed-death-threats-from-house-arrest-police-says-1.398087
 | work = Haaretz
| date = 27 November 2011
 | access-date =28 November 2011
}}</ref>

==Financing by foreign governments==
Peace Now has received funding from foreign states and international organizations for such projects as those which measure the expansion of [[Israeli settlement]]s in the [[West Bank]].<ref name="fund">{{cite web|url=http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/124952 |title='Peace Now' Will Have to Publicize EU Contributions|date=17 January 2008 |publisher=Israel National News 17 January 2008|access-date=29 November 2011}}</ref> In 2008 Peace Now received {{Nowrap|[[Israeli new shekel|ILS]] 935,622}} from the Norwegian embassy, {{Nowrap|ILS 547,751}} from the [[British Foreign Office]], {{Nowrap|ILS 285,857}} from [[Germany]]'s [[:de:Institut für Auslandsbeziehungen|Institut für Auslandsbeziehungen]], and {{Nowrap|ILS 76,267}} from the [[Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs]].<ref>{{cite web|script-title=he:מדינות שסייעו לשלום עכשיו בשנת 2008|trans-title=Countries that helped Peace Now in 2008|url=https://peacenow.org.il/content/%D7%9E%D7%93%D7%99%D7%A0%D7%95%D7%AA-%D7%A9%D7%A1%D7%99%D7%99%D7%A2%D7%95-%D7%9C%D7%A9%D7%9C%D7%95%D7%9D-%D7%A2%D7%9B%D7%A9%D7%99%D7%95-%D7%91%D7%A9%D7%A0%D7%AA-2008|publisher=Peace Now|access-date=23 May 2012|language=he|date=1 December 2009|archive-date=15 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131015110604/http://peacenow.org.il/content/%D7%9E%D7%93%D7%99%D7%A0%D7%95%D7%AA-%D7%A9%D7%A1%D7%99%D7%99%D7%A2%D7%95-%D7%9C%D7%A9%D7%9C%D7%95%D7%9D-%D7%A2%D7%9B%D7%A9%D7%99%D7%95-%D7%91%D7%A9%D7%A0%D7%AA-2008|url-status=dead}}</ref> According to [[Im Tirtzu]], Peace Now received {{Nowrap|[[Israeli new shekel|ILS]] 844,000}} from the embassy of [[Norway]] in 2009, as well as {{Nowrap|ILS 731,000}} from the [[United Kingdom]] and {{Nowrap|ILS 555,000}} from the [[Belgium|Belgian]] government.<ref name=attali />

In 2011, the Knesset passed a law which required organizations to report each quarter on any foreign funding they receive.<ref>[http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4031997,00.html New law: Groups must report on funding] Ynet 21 February 2011 Retrieved 29 November 2011</ref> In November 2011, [[Benyamin Netanyahu]]'s government began proceedings to introduce legislation which would place a [[Israeli new shekel|ILS]] 20,000 (approx $5,000) limit on what [[NGO]]s could receive from foreign governments, government-supported foundations and/or groups of governments (e.g. the [[European Union]] and the [[United Nations]]).<ref>{{cite news
 | title = Israeli ministers accused of trying to muzzle critics with funding curbs
 | url = https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/nov/13/israeli-ministers-criticism-ngo-funding
 | work = The Guardian
 | date = 13 November 2011
 | access-date =29 November 2011
}}</ref> Another bill, advanced by [[Avigdor Lieberman]]'s [[Yisrael Beiteinu]] party, proposed a 45% tax on foreign government donations to organizations that do not receive Israeli state funding.<ref>{{cite news
 | title = Britain warns Israel against blocking funds for rights groups
 | url = http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/britain-warns-israel-against-blocking-funds-for-rights-groups-6261025.html
 | work = The Independent
| date = 12 November 2011
 | access-date =29 November 2011
}}</ref>

Individuals such as Prime Minister [[Benyamin Netanyahu]], Foreign Minister [[Avigdor Lieberman]] and [[Member of Knesset|MK]]s [[Tzipi Hotovely]], [[Ofir Akunis]] and [[Fania Kirshenbaum]] have supported the proposed legislation. They argue that the legislation prevents foreign governments and organizations from unduly influencing Israel's domestic affairs.<ref>{{cite news
 | title = Likud MK, Peace Now leader spar over NGO bill
 | url = http://www.jpost.com/DiplomacyAndPolitics/Article.aspx?id=246683
 | work = The Jerusalem Post
| date = 23 November 2011
 | access-date =1 December 2011
}}</ref> The legislation has encountered notable resistance from within Israel itself and abroad. The governments of the [[United Kingdom]] and the United States warned [[Benyamin Netanyahu]] that the adoption of such measures would harm Israel's standing in the West as a democratic country.<ref>{{cite news
 | title = Britain warns Israel against blocking funds for rights groups
 | url = http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/britain-warns-israel-against-blocking-funds-for-rights-groups-6261025.html
 | work = The Independent
| date = 12 November 2011
 | access-date =1 December 2011
}}</ref><ref>{{cite news
 | title = Israeli rights groups rail against planned law
 | url = http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/1a4a63a2-0e0e-11e1-9d40-00144feabdc0.html
 | work = Financial Times
| date = 13 November 2011
 | access-date =1 December 2011
}}</ref><ref>{{cite news
 | title = EU-US urge Israel to scrap legislation against civil society
 | url = http://www.neurope.eu/article/eu-us-urge-israel-scrap-legislation-against-civil-society
 | work = New Europe
| date = 14 November 2011
 | access-date =1 December 2011
}}</ref>

==Certificate of Merit for Support to IDF Reservists==
Peace Now received a certificate of merit from the Israeli government and [[Israel Defense Forces|IDF]] for support given to [[Israel Defense Forces|IDF]] reserve soldiers.
The certificate was issued as part of a competition which honours organizations, businesses and companies whose workers serve as reservists and are supported by their workplace. The certificate was personally signed by [[Ehud Barak]] and Chief Reserve Officer [[Brigadier General Shuki Ben-Anat]]. It read:

'For your activity and care for employees serving in reserve duty. Your activity is commendable and greatly contributes to the IDF's fortitude and the State of Israel's security."<ref>{{cite news
 | title =Peace Now honored for supporting reservists
 | url = http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4132423,00.html
 | publisher = Ynet
| date = 6 October 2011
 | access-date =29 November 2011
}}</ref>

==Notable supporters==
Notable individuals such as American actor [[Leonard Nimoy]], American authors [[Michael Chabon]] and [[Ayelet Waldman]], and Israeli authors [[David Grossman]] and [[Amos Oz]] support Peace Now's objectives.<ref name="oz">{{cite web|url=http://www.acjna.org/acjna/articles_detail.aspx?id=338|title=Amos Oz, Israel's Best Known Novelist and An Advocate of Middle East Peace|publisher=American Council for Judaism|access-date=28 November 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news
 | title = 'Spock' calls for Jerusalem's division
 | url = http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4079727,00.html
 | publisher = Ynet
| date = 9 June 2011
 | access-date =29 November 2011
}}</ref><ref>[http://peacenow.org/entries/archive5542 Authors Michael Chabon& Ayelet Waldman "NOW is the time to support Americans for Peace Now"] Americans for Peace Now Retrieved 29 November 2011</ref><ref>[http://www.bookrags.com/biography/david-grossman-dlb/ Dictionary of Literary Biography on David Grossman] Book Rags Retrieved 29 November 2011</ref> Author Mordechai Bar-On described Peace Now as a key instrument for peace.<ref>{{cite book |last=Mordechai Bar-On |title=In Pursuit of Peace: A History of the Israeli Peace Movement  |publisher=United States Institute of Peace Press }}</ref> Actor [[Mandy Patinkin]] expressed his support for Peace Now during a visit to Israel in 2012.<ref>{{cite news|last=Bar-Zohar|first=Ofir|script-title=he:בשמאל תהו: כיצד ומתי חוזרים לשלטון|url=http://www.haaretz.co.il/news/politi/1.1705740|access-date=21 May 2012|newspaper=[[Haaretz]]|date=11 May 2012|language=he|trans-title=The Left pondered: how and when to return to power}}</ref>

==Logo==
Peace Now's logo was designed by [[Israel]]i [[graphic designer]] [[David Tartakover]] in 1978.<ref name="h2006-04-27">{{cite web|url=http://www.haaretz.com/news/peace-now-1.186293|title=Peace Now|last=Becher|first=Nir|date=27 April 2006|work=Haaretz|access-date=10 April 2011}}</ref> The logo emerged from a poster created by Tartakover for a mass rally, held in what is now [[Rabin Square]] in Tel Aviv on 1 April 1978, titled "Peace Now."<ref name="h2006-04-27"/> It became the name of the organization, and was used on the first political bumper sticker in Israel.<ref name=bloch2000>{{cite journal|last=Bloch|first=L. R.|title=Mobile discourse: political bumper stickers as a communication event in Israel|journal=Journal of Communication|date=June 2000|volume=50|issue=2|pages=48–76|doi=10.1111/j.1460-2466.2000.tb02841.x |issn=0021-9916 }}</ref><ref name=salamon2001>{{cite journal|last=Salamon|first=Hagar|title=Political Bumper Stickers in Contemporary Israel: Folklore as an Emotional Battleground|journal=The Journal of American Folklore|date=June 2000|volume=114|issue=453|pages=277–308|doi=10.1353/jaf.2001.0020|s2cid=143874035}}</ref> It is still one of Israel's most popular stickers.<ref name="h2006-04-27"/> Tartakover, commenting in 2006, said: "The movement activists liked the logo, but they thought there should also be a symbol. I told them it wasn't needed – this is the symbol. It took time until they understood that this was the first political sticker in Israel."<ref name="h2006-04-27"/>

==Affiliated organisations==
*[[Americans for Peace Now]]
* Amigos Brasileiros do Paz Agora (Brazil)
* Argentinos Amigos de Paz Ahora (Argentina)
* Brits for Peace Now (UK)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://peacenow.org.il/en/peace-now-launches-new-support-group-in-uk |title=Peace Now Launches New Support Group in UK |date=2 January 2012 |website=Peace Now }}</ref>
* Canadian Friends of Peace Now
* [[La paix maintenant]] (France)
* Les Amis Belges de Shalom Archav (Belgium)

==See also==
* [[List of anti-war organizations]]
* [[B'Tselem]]
* [[Shir LaShalom]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Shalom Achshav|Peace Now}}
* {{Official website|http://peacenow.org.il/eng/ }}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090225060616/http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/973018.html Peace Now: Our views are now mainstream but peace still elusive (Associated Press/Haaretz, 9 April 2008)]
* [http://holylandfilm.com Holy Land documentary site]

{{Footer Olof Palme Prize laureates}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Portalbar|Israel|Palestine}}

[[Category:Peace Now| ]]
[[Category:Organizations involved in the Israeli–Palestinian peace process]]
[[Category:Political organizations based in Israel]]
[[Category:Peace organizations]]
[[Category:Israeli–Palestinian peace process]]
[[Category:Olof Palme Prize laureates]]
[[Category:Organizations established in 1978]]