Peace Now
Peace Now is an Israeli liberal advocacy movement promoting an Israeli-Palestinian peace agreement and a two-state solution.
Last updated October 14, 2026
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Overview
Peace Now, known in Hebrew as Shalom Achshav, is an Israeli liberal peace and public-interest advocacy organization. Its central objective is to advance a negotiated resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, generally centered on two states for two peoples, and to oppose policies that it argues make such an outcome harder to achieve. The movement works through public demonstrations, political advocacy, legal petitions, research, media activity, educational programs and monitoring of Israeli settlement construction in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. The organization emerged from the Israeli peace movement of the late 1970s, when reserve soldiers and other citizens called on the government to pursue diplomatic initiatives with neighboring Arab states. It became nationally prominent during the 1982 Lebanon War. After the Sabra and Shatila massacre, Peace Now organized a mass rally in Tel Aviv on 25 September 1982 demanding an official investigation and the resignation of Defense Minister Ariel Sharon. The event drew approximately 400,000 people, around one-tenth of Israel's population at the time, and demonstrated the movement's ability to mobilize large numbers of Israelis around questions of military accountability and national policy. Peace Now's activism also exposed it to political violence. On 10 February 1983, during a Jerusalem march following the Lebanon War, a grenade thrown by right-wing activist Yona Avrushmi killed Peace Now demonstrator Emil Grunzweig and injured others. Avrushmi was convicted of murder. Grunzweig subsequently became a symbol of the risks faced by Israeli peace activists and of the movement's opposition to political violence. During the First Intifada, Peace Now pressed for direct Israeli-Palestinian negotiations. After Yasser Arafat's 1988 public acceptance of United Nations Security Council Resolution 242 and rejection of terrorism, the organization led a demonstration of more than 100,000 people calling for negotiations. It later helped organize the Hands Around Jerusalem event, in which Israeli and Palestinian participants formed a human chain around Jerusalem's Old City. Peace Now was also the first Israeli organization to meet representatives of the Palestine Liberation Organization at a time when such contact was prohibited by Israeli law. The movement supported the Oslo process and urged successive Israeli governments to implement its interim agreements. Peace Now's prominence and influence have varied with security conditions and public attitudes. The Second Intifada, which began in 2000, weakened support for the Oslo framework among many Israelis, but the organization continued to stage large rallies, including a 2002 demonstration under the slogan “Get Out of the Territories.” It also supported Israel's 2004 Gaza disengagement plan, while acknowledging internal disagreement over the plan's unilateral character. Since then, settlement monitoring has become one of its most recognizable areas of work. Through its Settlement Watch project, Peace Now collects and publishes information on settlement expansion, outposts, land allocation, planning approvals and construction in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. It has used aerial photography, field surveys, public records and legal proceedings to challenge construction that it says violates Israeli law or undermines the territorial basis of a future Palestinian state. Its petitions contributed to court and government action involving outposts including Amona and Migron. The organization has also provided settlement data to Israeli officials, foreign governments, journalists and policy researchers. Peace Now is not a commercial product brand. Its “offerings” are research, public campaigns, educational tours, legal advocacy and political communication. It operates in a contentious environment and has faced criticism from right-wing and settler groups, while supporters regard it as an important Israeli civil-society voice for territorial compromise, democratic accountability and negotiated peace. Activists and offices have been targeted by threats and alleged price-tag attacks. The organization's current public identity combines traditional mass mobilization with digital campaigning and evidence-based monitoring of settlement policy.
History
Peace Now was established in 1978 amid Israeli public debate over peace negotiations and territorial compromise. Its early supporters included reserve soldiers who appealed to Prime Minister Menachem Begin to pursue diplomatic opportunities. The organization initially expressed support for an undivided Jerusalem as Israel's capital, but later adopted a two-state framework involving two capitals and a special arrangement for the Old City. The movement became a major national force during the 1982 Lebanon War. After the Sabra and Shatila massacre, it organized a mass Tel Aviv protest demanding an independent inquiry and political accountability. Its subsequent Jerusalem march ended in tragedy when a grenade thrown by Yona Avrushmi killed activist Emil Grunzweig. The incident intensified public debate over incitement, government responsibility and political violence. During the First Intifada, Peace Now advocated direct negotiations with Palestinian representatives. In 1988 it organized a major rally after Yasser Arafat's acceptance of Resolution 242 and opposition to terrorism. It also organized symbolic Israeli-Palestinian actions, including Hands Around Jerusalem. Peace Now's contacts with the PLO preceded the Oslo process and were initially illegal under Israeli law. The movement supported the 1993 Oslo Accords and subsequently called on Israeli administrations to honor the agreements. The Second Intifada changed Israel's political environment and reduced public enthusiasm for the Oslo model. Peace Now nevertheless organized a large 2002 rally opposing continued control of Palestinian territories during Operation Defensive Shield. It later supported the Gaza disengagement plan, arguing that withdrawal from Gaza was strategically and diplomatically necessary even though some members objected to the plan's unilateral implementation. From the 2000s onward, Settlement Watch became central to the organization's identity. The project tracks settlement construction and outposts through field research, aerial imagery, planning information, land records and legal action. Peace Now has challenged construction on privately owned Palestinian land and sought the removal of unauthorized outposts. Its litigation and public reporting were associated with government or court action involving Amona and Migron. The organization has also briefed Israeli authorities and foreign governments on settlement developments. Peace Now has remained active through rallies, annual participation in Yitzhak Rabin memorial events, anti-racism and free-expression demonstrations, support for Palestinian statehood initiatives, opposition to legislation restricting boycotts, public education tours and internet campaigns. Its work has generated criticism from settlement supporters and other opponents, while its activists have faced threats and attacks. The movement continues to present itself as an Israeli civil-society organization seeking a negotiated, durable and democratic resolution of the conflict.
- 2012
Migron outpost ordered dismantled
[1]A Supreme Court ruling following Peace Now litigation ordered the removal of the Migron outpost.
- 2004
Campaign for Gaza disengagement
[1]The movement organized a major demonstration supporting Israel's disengagement plan.
- 1993
Support for Oslo
[1]Peace Now supported the Declaration of Principles and the Oslo peace process.
- 1988
Negotiations rally
[1]The organization mobilized more than 100,000 people for immediate Israeli-Palestinian negotiations.
- 1983
Emil Grunzweig killed
[1]A grenade attack during a Peace Now march killed prominent activist Emil Grunzweig.
- 1982
Mass protest after Sabra and Shatila
[1]Peace Now organized an approximately 400,000-person Tel Aviv demonstration demanding an inquiry and ministerial accountability.
- 1978
Peace Now founded
[1]The movement was established during Israeli debate over peace negotiations and territorial compromise.
Products and positioning
An Israeli liberal peace and public-interest advocacy organization combining mass mobilization, legal action, public education and settlement research to promote a negotiated two-state solution.
Research and monitoring program
Settlement Watch
Peace Now's principal settlement-monitoring program documents construction, land allocation, outposts, planning decisions and settlement expansion in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. It combines field visits, aerial photography, public databases and legal research, then publishes findings for Israeli and international audiences. The project also supports petitions and advocacy intended to challenge construction that conflicts with Israeli law or obstructs a viable two-state arrangement.
Public advocacy · 1978
Peace and two-state advocacy
The organization conducts public campaigns, demonstrations, policy briefings and media activity aimed at building Israeli support for negotiations, territorial compromise and a negotiated two-state solution. Campaigns have addressed the Oslo process, Gaza disengagement, settlement policy, Palestinian statehood and democratic rights.
Marketing campaigns
- 2011Opposition to the Boycott Law
Israel
Peace Now protested legislation that exposed people calling for boycotts of Israel or territories under its control to civil claims and financial penalties.
Outcome. After enactment, the organization campaigned for a boycott of settlement-produced goods.
- 2004Mate ha-Rov
Israel
The “majority camp” campaign urged the government to adopt the Gaza disengagement plan.
Outcome. Peace Now maintained support for withdrawal while recognizing disagreement over its unilateral implementation.
- 2002Get Out of the Territories rally
Israel
Peace Now organized a large demonstration during Israel's Operation Defensive Shield, opposing continued control of Palestinian territories.
Outcome. The rally demonstrated continuing mobilization despite reduced public support for the Oslo process.
- 1988Negotiations now demonstration
Israel
The movement called for immediate Israeli-Palestinian negotiations after Arafat's acceptance of Resolution 242.
Outcome. It helped keep negotiations and recognition of mutual political claims in Israel's public debate.
- 1988Hands Around Jerusalem
Israel · West Bank
Israeli and Palestinian participants formed a human chain around Jerusalem's Old City to symbolize coexistence and support for a negotiated settlement.
Outcome. The event became a prominent example of the movement's cross-community public diplomacy.
- 1982Sabra and Shatila accountability protest
Israel
Peace Now held a mass Tel Aviv rally demanding a national inquiry into the massacre and the resignation of Defense Minister Ariel Sharon.
Outcome. The protest intensified pressure for an official inquiry and contributed to the wider political debate over ministerial responsibility.
Brand decisions
2004
Support Gaza disengagement despite unilateralismStrategyBackground
The organization debated whether a unilateral withdrawal could advance peace without a negotiated agreement.
Action taken
Peace Now prioritized withdrawal from Gaza and campaigned publicly for adoption of the disengagement plan.
Aftermath
The campaign reinforced the movement's willingness to support territorial withdrawal even when it was not part of a bilateral settlement.
1978
Adopt a mass Israeli peace-movement modelStrategyBackground
The organization was created amid debate over diplomatic negotiations and territorial compromise.
Action taken
Peace Now combined public demonstrations, political pressure and civic organizing to promote negotiated peace.
Aftermath
The movement became one of Israel's most visible liberal peace organizations.
Recent events
- 2012
Peace Now petitions over Migron[1]
Lawsuit
Following legal proceedings initiated by Peace Now, Israel's Supreme Court ordered the dismantling of Migron, described as a significant precedent involving a West Bank outpost.
- 2011
Peace Now activists and offices receive threats[1]
Other
The organization reported price-tag graffiti and death threats directed at Settlement Watch head Hagit Ofran, followed by a bomb threat at Peace Now's Jerusalem office that was determined to be a hoax.
- 2005
Peace Now challenges settlement outposts in court[1]
Lawsuit
A petition concerning Amona contributed to later state action to evacuate the outpost.
- 2004
Peace Now backs Gaza disengagement[1]
Campaign
The organization led a large Tel Aviv demonstration in support of the government's disengagement plan, despite debate within the movement about its unilateral nature.
- 1993
Peace Now supports the Oslo Accords[1]
Other
The movement endorsed the Declaration of Principles and continued urging Israeli governments to implement the interim arrangements of the Oslo peace process.
- 1988
Peace Now mobilizes for Israeli-Palestinian negotiations[1]
Campaign
Following Yasser Arafat's stated acceptance of Resolution 242, Peace Now organized a demonstration of more than 100,000 people supporting immediate negotiations.
- 1983
Emil Grunzweig killed during Peace Now march[1]
Other
A grenade attack by a right-wing activist during a Jerusalem peace march killed Peace Now activist Emil Grunzweig and injured several others.
- 1982
Peace Now leads mass protest after Sabra and Shatila massacre[1]
Other
The organization organized a major Tel Aviv demonstration calling for a national inquiry into the massacre and the resignation of Defense Minister Ariel Sharon.
Sources2 sources
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