Taking Issues “Off the Table”–First Jerusalem, Now Refugees

by Lara Friedman Last month, President Donald Trump granted a cherished wish of American and Israeli hardliners, taking Jerusalem—an issue that the Oslo Agreement stipulated would be resolved only in permanent status negotiations—“off the table.” Now, only weeks later, American… Continue Reading

Time to Take Trump at His Word on Israel-Palestine

by Lara Friedman Since well before Election Day, Donald Trump and his key advisors made clear that a Trump administration would blow-up longstanding U.S. policy on Israel-Palestine. Whether talking about moving the U.S. embassy, renouncing any commitment to the two-state… Continue Reading

Locking Palestinians in a Flawed Peace Process

by Khaled Elgindy and Lara Friedman The Trump administration’s recent decision to allow the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) mission in Washington—the de facto embassy of the Palestinians—to remain open, despite a law that demands its closure, has led many to conclude… Continue Reading

The Israel Anti-Boycott Act Is an Act of Political Persecution

by Lara Friedman There’s been a lot of debate over the Israel Anti-Boycott Act. The ACLU—the standard-bearer of all matters related to civil rights and liberties—says unequivocally that the bill violates the First Amendment right to free speech. Others, including… Continue Reading