Yossi Alpher is an independent security analyst. He is the former director of the Jaffee Center for Strategic Studies at Tel Aviv University, a former senior official with the Mossad, and a former IDF intelligence officer. Views and positions expressed here are those of the writer, and do not necessarily represent APN's views and policy positions.

This week, Alpher discusses Marwan Barghouti's op-ed in the New York Times about the Palestinian prisoners' hunger strike; why only 1,200 of the 6,000 prisoners convicted of terrorist offenses in Israeli jails are participating; the intra-Palestinian tensions at play; Barghouti's point about worsening conditions in Israeli prisons; the accuracy of some of Barghouti's assertions; why Israel can't release Barghouti and negotiate with him; and possible strategic implications of the strike and the background struggle for Palestinian leadership.

By Lara Friedman, President of the Foundation for Middle East Peace (FMEP)
*Originally published on the FMEP website, and reproduced here with permission from the author

1. Bills, Resolutions & Letters
2. Hearings
3. On the Record

The Australian Jewish News: April 6, 2017
“Plans for New Settlement Condemned,” Peace Now’s Anat Ben Nun says that the creation of a new settlement in the West Bank sends a strong message that Israel is no longer interested in pursuing a two-state solution.

NPR: April 5, 2017
"Assessing Israel's Pledge to Scale Back Settlements," Peace Now's Hagit Ofran quoted on Israel's new settlement policy.

972+: April 4, 2017
“Why Settlement Boycotters Shouldn’t Join the BDS Movement,” APN warns that the bills targeting BDS activists and settlement boycotters fail to differentiate between Israel proper and settlements themselves.

Times of Israel: April 3, 2017
“Planned Amona 2.0 Might Not House West Bank Settlers for 3 Years,” Peace Now’s Hagit Ofran explains that while planning and approving settlements can take a long time, the government knows how to expedite the process to further their goals of strategically fragmenting the West Bank.

New York Times: March 31, 2017
"Israel Says It Will Rein In 'Footprint' Of West Bank Settlements," Peace Now skeptical of Israeli government's new settlement policy. 

Jerusalem Post: March 31, 2017
"Netanyahu under right wing pressure to continue settlement expansion," Peace Now skeptical of Israeli government's new settlement policy.

Los Angeles Times: March 31, 2017
"Israel approves settlement deep in the West Bank for the first time in two decades but pledges future controls," Peace Now skeptical of Israeli government's new settlement policy.

Daily News (UK): March 31, 2017
"US warns Israel on 'unrestrained' settlement building," Peace Now reacts to Israeli government's new Israeli settlement measures: "Netanyahu is held captive by the settlers."

Washington Post (AP Story): March 31, 2017
"Israel says will try to curb growth of settlement footprint," Peace Now says the Israeli government's new settlement policy actually serves the settlers.

San Francisco Chronicle: March 31, 2017
"Israel's new law seeks to silence settlement protests," Ori Nir is quoted in a story on Israel's new Entry Ban arguing that Israel should "should be cognizant of the repercussions" of "dissing a huge sector of a very pro-Israel American demographic."

• US Preparing plan for military attack in Syria
• Netanyahu seeks to establish buffer zone on Syria’s borders with Israel and Jordan
• Russian trap // Amos Harel
• Chemical, conventional // Zvi Bar’el
• When reality hits // Chemi Shalev
• Saying no to refugees // Carolina Landsmann
• Trump’s opportunity // Asaf Ronal 
• Terrorist ran over and killed IDF soldier and injured another soldier near Ofra
• Waiting for him around the corner // Yossi Verter writes that Finance Minister Kahlon doesn’t forget or forgive and will close accounts with Netanyahu
• Prime Minister demanded that every journalist in the (Israel Public Broadcasting) Corporation be fired, but the new law obliges continuing to employ them
• Accused in fatal traffic accidents are acquitted because the police loses evidence
• Belgium to prohibit kosher slaughter due to pressure from animal rights organizations, and Jews are furious
• India will purchase aerial defense systems from Israel for two billion shekels
• (Arab-Israeli) rapper Tamer Nafar opens his mouth on everyone
• This is the time to meet the man behind the Friendship Fund
• (Arab) women of Lod don’t know who is the next in line (to be murdered): “We all here are on hold”
• Leah Goldberg corresponds with Tuvia Ribner on bi-lingualism

• “You were an angel and you were taken like an angel” – Sgt. Elchai Toharlev, 20, from the community (settlement) of Talmon was murdered in a car ramming attack at Ofra Junction
• Trump: We need to do something with Assad
• Enough of being silent // Sima Kadmon
• Eurovision in danger [for Israel]
• Death in a burnt apartment

• The Russian reprimand – Putin told Netanyahu he was angry at the accusing finger Israel pointed at Assad
• (Ehud) Barak’s prophecy (that Assad would fall) // Kalman Libeskind
• The lessons of Idlib // Avi Benyahu
• A new world // Alon Ben-David
• Preemptive medicine // Arieh Eldad
• Trump consulted with Abu Mazen: “Is Netanyahu a partner for peace?”
•  “You were an angel and you were taken like an angel” – Masses attended the funeral of Sgt. Elchai Taharlev, 20, from (settlement) Talmon, who was killed when a car hit him at Ofra Junction; Terrorist: Young Palestinian who was jailed in the past for infiltration (into settlement) attempt
• (MK) Zouebi compared the Syrian regime with IDF soldiers: “They both murder children”
• The new Hamas charter // Gal Berger
• 12-year-old found dead hours after returning to burnt apartment
• Being Tamir Perdo – a peek into the world of the former Mossad chief
• The Israel Air Industries enormous deal (with India)
• Rabbi Goren and I: The prayer book with which we liberated the Wailing Wall // Mordechai Chaimovitz
• He paid in cash // 40 years after the dollars (foreign) bank account affair (for which Yitzhak Rabin had to resign). The full story

• “Elhayush, you had a heart-melting smile” - Sgt. Elchai Taharlev, 20, from Talmon (settlement) was guarding the hitchhiking stop – and was run over and killed
• Trump Administration: “Assad has no place as the leader of the Syrian people”
• (IDF soldiers) prepared for every matzah
• Two days after he survived his apartment burning – 12-year-old killed. Fear: He inhaled poisonous chemicals
• Beware of unknown links: Anonymous makes cyberattack on Israel today
• “Dear Rabbi, Is it permissible to take a selfie at the Passover seder?” – Special section for Passover
• “I won” – Miri Regev speaks
• Will the world wake up and make sure that Assad will pay for his crimes? // Boaz Bismuth, Prof. Eyal Zisser, Lilach Shoval

• Law passed for harsher punishments on construction without permits in Arab communities
• Alongside the search for the ultimate deal, Trump Administration wants to prevent crisis in Gaza // Barak Ravid
• The chemical attack was the beginning of the strategic battle over Idlib // Zvi Bar’el
• Arab women held a protest over the murder of their female friends 
• Trump dismissed his senior advisor, the right-wing symbol, Bannon, from the National Security Council  
• State Comptroller: Most of the files that reach the Police Unit Investigating Police are closed without an investigation
• Police Commissioner put female officers on disciplinary trial day after a libel suit was filed against him
• The appointed new director of Israel Museum left even before he began
• Where is their conscience // Gideon Levy
• Heartlessness // Haaretz Editorial
• Labor party chairperson primaries postponed by a day because of Britney Spears performance

• “The chemical attack – a direct order from Assad” – Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman in an interview with Yedioth
• (Former Mossad chief) Meir Dagan, as a soldier disguised as an Arab, on the Gaza beach

• The world does as it wills – While the media was horrified by the massacre of children in the chemical attack in Syria, the international community is having difficulty acting as long as Moscow supports Assad
• To depend on ourselves // Shmuel Rosner
• He discovered the world // Shlomo Shamir 
• The collapse of the taboo // Dr. Ofer Yisraeli
• You filed a complaint to the Police Investigations Unit against a Policeman? Don’t be surprised if the file is closed – Only 10% of complaints filed against policemen for violence against civilians led to an investigation under warning
• The compromise that will soften the blow of the dismissals at the (yet-to-be-launched Israel Public Broadcasting) Corporation

• The horror in Syria: Condemnations were made, but no action – Trump: “The chemical massacre – an affront to all humanity”
• “The left-wingers understood that I don’t get scared” – Culture Minister Miri Regev in special interview
• The likely compromise: Employees of ‘Kan’ news to be accepted into (Israel Public Broadcasting) Corporation
• Trump dismissed advisor Bannon from the National Security Council  

• Israeli minister presented Trump envoy Greenblatt with plan to build Gaza island port - According to Transportation and Intelligence Minister Yisrael Katz, Greenblatt expressed willingness to persuade Trump to promote the plan. Katz believes the plan could help stabilize the humanitarian situation in Gaza and prevent another war. (Haaretz+) 
• Trump: "Working very hard to bring peace between Israel and the Palestinians" - With the King of Jordan at his side, the President of the United States said that the two discussed a political agreement between Israel and the Palestinians. "I think it could work," he said. (Maariv)
• Palestinian, 23, shot and seriously wounded during Israeli raid on West Bank refugee camp - Akram Alatesh, 23, was hit by three bullets and taken for treatment to Hadassah hospital in Jerusalem. (Haaretz) 
• Palestinian assaulted by officers recounts the attack - After two Border Police officers were indicted for assault on Tuesday, the Palestinian victim who was mistaken by them as a terrorist recounts the ordeal in an interview with Ynet, shedding light on the day when he almost lost his life. (Ynet)
• 42 days in prison for soldiers who beat a Palestinian detainee - Three soldiers were sentenced to prison after beating a Palestinian detainee who was cuffed and blindfolded; the three, who were also filmed beating the Palestinian during the arrest in Hebron about six months ago, 'made a misjudgment regarding the extent of the force required.' (Ynet+VIDEO)
• Report: Police Commissioner Alsheich is furious at the Police Unit that investigates (PID) complaints about police because of its reports that the incident in Umm al-Hiran was not terrorism - An report by Raviv Drucker on Channel 10 News stated that a discussion between the police commissioner and senior officers of the PID deteriorated. Alsheikh wants the authority to determine whether an attack would be defined as terror or not. (Maariv)
• Israel passes law meant to crack down on illegal building in Arab communities - In fractious special session, Netanyahu lauds measure and an Arab opposition lawmaker is removed from Knesset. (Haaretz+ and JPost) 
• **Palestinian resident of Tel Aviv shocked to discover: "They say I'm a terrorist" - Ziyad Abu al-Hawa, a young Palestinian from E. Jerusalem who lives in Tel Aviv, discovered that false messages were distributed with his picture claiming that he was a terrorist and that the Shin Bet security service was trying to arrest him. Abu Al-Hawa is known for being a promoter of co-existence and of gay rights. The group in which the announcement was made against Abu Al-Hawa was first created in the Telegram instant messaging application, which has thousands of users. The person who administrated the group called on its members to send him anti-Arab messages, and he would publish them in his name. (Yedioth, p. 8 and Mako)
• Israeli Labor Postpones Leadership Vote Because of Britney Spears - The Labor party was set to hold its primary on July 3, but Britney Spears' Tel Aviv concert took precedence. (Haaretz and Ynet) 
• Israel Proposes Freight Rail Link to Jordan, Saudi Arabia From Haifa - Transportation Minister Katz declines to say whether Arab states have agreed to plan (Agencies, Haaretz and Yedioth/Ynet) 
• Israel to Commemorate Six Day War in Event at West Bank Settlement of Gush Etzion - Education chief and culture minister say 'liberation of the West Bank' should be celebrated with the 'respect it deserves,' drawing fierce criticism from the opposition. (Haaretz+) 
• Israel failing to address most pressing issues of religious pluralism, watchdog claims - While some helpful 'cosmetic' initiatives were adopted by lawmakers, they failed to engage with any of the most critical questions of religious plurality, says Jewish Pluralism Watch. (Haaretz+)
• Six Israelis injured in terrorist attacks abroad recognized as victims of terror - Following a law amendment, the Defense Ministry recognizes six Israelis, who were either killed or injured in terrorist attacks abroad, as victims of terror acts. (Ynet) 
• Critics say no reason to name hospital for late Israeli PM Yitzhak Shamir - The Assaf Harofeh hospital in central Israel was named for fifth century C.E. physician Assaf Ben Brachiahu, but he's now been replaced by the two-term Likud premier. (Haaretz+) 
• Israeli Air Force Holds Joint Exercise With United Arab Emirates, U.S. and Italy - Israel's Air Force participating in Iniohos 2017 at a Greek air force base. Israel and the UAE do not have official diplomatic relations. (Haaretz) 
• WATCH Israeli Air Force Jets Buzz Greece's Ancient Acropolis - Air force jets from Israel and Italy have joined Greek planes in a low-altitude flyover in central Athens, as part of an 11-day international military exercise. (Haaretz) 
• IDF Naval fighters train with Navy SEALs - Watch: Last week, Israeli and US commandos carried out joint drill involving ship raids and parachuting at sea. The exercise aimed to build cooperation between the special forces. (Ynet) 
• Netflix Buys Israeli Film 'Junction 48,' Bringing Palestinian Hip-hop to U.S. Screens - Film tells the story of two Arab musicians stuck between Jewish oppression and Arab conservatism. (Haaretz)
• Mediterranean gas pipeline could be built by 2025 - A project to build a Mediterranean pipeline to carry natural gas from Israel to Europe is now supported by both European and Israeli governments; it is expected to cost 6 billion euros and is set to be finished in 2025. (Agencies, Ynet) 
• Israel: Hamas man who trained in Syria arrested for plotting attacks - The Palestinian man traveled to Turkey and Syria to train before returning to West Bank, Shin Bet claim, blasting Hamas' operations abroad. (Haaretz and Ynet)

• Hamas: In the coming days we will execute collaborators with Israel - Almost two weeks after the assassination of senior Hamas official Mazan Fukha in Gaza, the general prosecutor in the Gaza Strip announces the executions; the statement says there was no connection to the assassination. (Ynet)ֿ
• Senior Fatah official hit with $250 million lawsuit over torture death of Palestinian-American - Jibril Rajoub was handed the lawsuit and a summons upon landing at JFK airport during his first visit to the United States; victim was arrested alive without charge and returned dead with obvious signs of torture; Palestinian Security Services claimed he died of a heart attack. (Ynet)
• Palestinian Authority slashes salaries for Gaza employees - PA spokesman Yousif al-Mahmoud attributes cut in pay to a drop in foreign aid • 200 protest cuts outside Gaza bank • Hamas says "unjust and non-national" decision aims to create crises, tighten PA's grip on the Gaza Strip. (Israel Hayom)
• Ex-Guatemalan mayor sentenced to jail for expelling 'Jewish Taliban' ultra-Orthodox sect - Antonio Adolfo Perez was convicted of coercion in the expulsion in 2014 of the 500-member Lev Tahor sect, following religiously tainted disputes with its Mayan residents. (JTA, Haaretz) 
• UK's Labour criticized for not confronting Nazi comments  - Former London Mayor Ken Livingstone claims Zionists collaborated with Nazis before World War II • Party leader Jeremy Corbyn: Livingstone failed to apologize for the hurt he caused • Chief rabbi of Britain slams "unapologetic bating" of Jewish community. (Israel Hayom)
• Kansas legislation seeks to combat anti-Israel boycotts - Republican State Rep. William Sutton: Anti-Israel boycotts are an "economic attack" on Israel; bill will protect Kansas' trade relationship with Israel • Palestinian advocacy groups, some lawmakers condemn measure as infringing on First Amendment rights. (Israel Hayom)
• U.S. Jewish Groups Hail Steve Bannon’s Ouster From National Security Council - But many leaders of liberal organizations say Steve Bannon, the former head of Breitbart News, needs to leave the White House entirely. (Haaretz+)

APN’s director of communications and public engagement, Ori Nir, spoke at Virginia’s Christopher Newport University On March 30. He delivered the annual Borgenicht Fellowship Prize Lecture, sponsored by CNU’s Reiff Center for Human Rights and Conflict Resolution. His talk focused on shifting attitudes toward Israeli-Palestinian peace among the Israeli and Palestinian publics.