Canadian Friends of Peace Now
(CFPN)

Peace Now, Shalom Achshav, was founded in Israel in March 1978, (yes it has been 30 years!) to encourage then Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin, to accept territorial compromise in peace negotiations with Egyptian Prime Minister Anwar Sadat, in the framework of Camp David which was presided over by American President Jimmy Carter.

In 1978 the possibility of peace between Egypt & Israel seemed unrealistic. The war of 1973 had been bitter and bloody. Memories were fresh and emotions raw. Opponents were vociferous in their opposition, warning compromise with Egypt would inevitably lead to disaster. The Prime Minister, and his supporters, had embraced the Sinai, and declared that it was an inseperable part of Eretz Israel. It was not negotiable.

Many felt differently, viewing peace as the essential priority. A group of officers formulated this in a letter, signed it, and sent it to prime minister Begin. This letter became a catalyst for Peace Now's emergence, and still embodies Peace Now's platform. That is, a a negotiated peace with Israel's immediate neighbours, not the territory of "Greater Israel", best guarantees Israel's security. Although, on the surface this doesn't sound controversial, it is among the most contentious political issues facing Israel and the Jewish people today.

Officer's Letter

Dear Sir,

Citizens that also serve as soldiers and officers in the reserve forces are sending this letter to you. The following words are not written with a light heart. However at this time when new horizons of peace and cooperation are for the first time being proposed to the State of Israel, we feel obliged to call upon you to prevent taking any steps that could cause endless problems to our people and our state.

We are writing this with deep anxiety, as a government that prefers the existence of the State of Israel within the borders of “Greater Israel” to its existence in peace with good neighborliness, will be difficult for us to accept. A government that prefers existence of settlements beyond the Green Line to elimination of this historic conflict with creation of normalization of relationships in our region will evoke questions regarding the path we are taking. A government policy that will cause a continuation of control over million Arabs will hurt the Jewish-democratic character of the state, and will make it difficult for us to identify with the path of the State of Israel.

We are aware of the security needs of the State of Israel and the difficulties facing the path to peace. But we know that true security will only be reached with the arrival of peace. The power of the IDF is in the identification of its soldiers with the path of the State of Israel.

348 signatures
March, 1978

Peace with Egypt was achieved at Camp David, and has held until now, despite subsequent storms. Yet the difference of opinion over the primacy of land or peace is as potent and central to the debate as ever.

Israel's Peace Now has evolved over the years. Where it was once a mass movement, its character today is more that of a non-governmental organization (NGO). It monitors the trajectory of settlements. It advocates for legal and social rights, and reports on the economic implications involved in settlement expansion on the West Bank. It strives to bring Israelis and Palestinians, Jews and Arabs, together for dialogue. It acts as a voice of peace and compromise.

Canadian Friends of Peace Now organizes events and raises funds to promote the values and culture of Peace Now.

CFPN has branches in Ottawa, Montreal and Toronto, and supporters in cities throughout Canada.