"SECURITY THROUGH PEACE": SHALOM ACHSHAV: PEACE *NOW*, ISRAEL!

Not all Jews in Israel and in the US
are supporting the HORROR of WAR.

APN Calls on Bush to Broker a Ceasefire,

Convene International Peace Summit

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 2, 2006

CONTACT: Lara Friedman
Office: (202) 728-1893

Washington, D.C.--Americans for Peace Now (APN) today again criticized the Bush Administration for failing to invest sufficient efforts to resolve the military crisis devastating Israel and Lebanon. APN called on President Bush to work urgently to broker a ceasefire and to convene an international Middle East peace conference. APN is a Jewish, Zionist organization whose mission is to enhance Israel's security through peace and to support the Israeli Peace Now movement.

"It is time for the U.S. to show real leadership in the Middle East. We call on President Bush to work urgently to broker a ceasefire and accompanying arrangements to achieve the release of abducted Israeli soldiers and stabilize the situation on the ground," said Debra DeLee, President of Americans for Peace Now.

Shalom Achshav: Peace Now, Israel

"Americans for Peace Now [APN] was founded in 1981 to support the activities of Shalom Achshav (Peace Now in Israel). APN is the leading United States advocate for peace in the Middle East. APN's mission is to help Israel and the Shalom Achshav movement to achieve a comprehensive political settlement of the Arab-Israeli conflict consistent with Israel's long-term security needs and its Jewish and democratic values.

APN strives to meet the following goals in order to fulfill its mission:

1. An American Jewish community and general American public educated about the strategic and economic benefits of security through peace in the Middle East.

2. Active White House and State Department engagement in the peace process, especially Administration efforts to broker a new interim understanding between Israelis and Palestinians, facilitate final status arrangements that reconcile Israeli security with Palestinian statehood, and encourage negotiations between Israel, Syria, and Lebanon....

3. Congressional support for the peace process through continued aid to Israel, Egypt, Jordan, and the Palestinians.

4. Broad awareness in the United States of the benefits of Shalom Achshav programs in Israel.

5. A firm financial base for Shalom Achshav and APN activities.

APN has a wide array of educational programs that reach out to communities around the country, and is a powerful force for mobilizing grassroots support among U.S. citizens. By demonstrating this support, and by working directly with decision makers and government officials, APN promotes U.S. policies that further the peace process. Finally, APN provides critical financial support to the work of Shalom Achshav in Israel."