Key Facts
Key Information
About
Peace Now (Hebrew: Shalom Achshav) is Israel's oldest grassroots peace movement and a non-governmental organization, founded in 1978 as a grassroots initiative of reserve soldiers and civilians calling for peace following the Israeli invasion of Lebanon. It advocates for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, promotes territorial compromise with Palestinians, and calls for an end to the Israeli occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip through nonviolent means, while also promoting Palestinian rights. The group has been a leading voice against the expansion of Israeli settlements, which it views as a primary obstacle to achieving lasting peace and the establishment of a viable Palestinian state alongside Israel, and it actively monitors and opposes settlement expansion in the occupied territories, particularly in the West Bank. The organization has organized some of the largest peace demonstrations in Israel's history, such as the 1982 rally in Jerusalem attended by over 100,000 people, and continues to monitor settlement activity and lobby for diplomatic negotiations through protests, lobbying, and public campaigns. Over its history, Peace Now has evolved from a protest movement into a structured NGO that engages in research, legal challenges, and international outreach to build support for its vision of peace. It has an affiliated American branch, Americans for Peace Now, established in 1981. The organization has been involved in key historical moments, such as supporting the Oslo Accords and opposing subsequent settlement surges under various governments. Peace Now's work emphasizes the security benefits of peace for Israel, arguing that unresolved occupation undermines democracy and international standing. Despite facing criticism and opposition from right-wing Israeli factions, it remains a prominent force in Israel's peace camp, influencing public discourse and policy debates.