July 15th

ATFP calls for ceasefire in Gaza, lifting of siege Press Release - Contact Information: Hussein Ibish - January 21, 2008 - 1:00am Washington, DC, Jan. 22 – The American Task Force on Palestine (ATFP) today called for an urgent ceasefire between Israel and militia groups based in the Gaza Strip, and an end to measures that threaten to impose a humanitarian crisis on the population in Gaza. In particular, ATFP called for an immediate end to the latest moves by the government of Israel including cutting of fuel supplies for Gaza's only electricity plant, and other restrictions threatening international aid supplies of food and medicine. Read more

Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad delivers major policy address at ATFP event Press Release - Contact Information: Hussein Ibish - February 10, 2008 - 1:00am The American Task Force on Palestine today hosted Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad for a major policy address at the National Press Club. Delivering a speech entitled “Investing in Peace for Palestine,” Prime Minister Fayyad spoke about progress on Palestinian commitments to good governance, security, economic and political reform despite continued occupation. “I firmly believe that we have demonstrated our ability to do the job, if given the chance,” said Prime Minister Fayyad. Read more

ATFP reiterates call for end to violence in Gaza Press Release - Contact Information: Hussein Ibish - March 2, 2008 - 1:00am Washington, DC, March 3 – The American Task Force on Palestine (ATFP) today renewed its call for an end to armed hostilities between Israel and militia groups based in the Gaza Strip. The Task Force expressed grave concern for the wellbeing of the civilian population of the Gaza Strip – where over 100 people, many of them civilians, have been killed by Israeli forces in recent days – and for the population of Israeli towns, including Sderot and Ashkelon, within the range of rockets fired by militia groups in Gaza. Read more

Call for Partners in Peace Internship Applications Press Release - Contact Information: Hussein Ibish - March 25, 2008 - 12:00am Americans for Peace Now (APN) and the American Task Force on Palestine (ATFP) are seeking applications to a joint internship program that will offer interns a unique perspective of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict – from two leading advocacy organizations – that spans borders, dispels prejudice, and promotes a two-state solution. Read more

Back To Constructive Chaos ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Bitterlemons by Zvi Barel - July 15, 2008 - 3:18pm A miracle happened. Egypt--not the United States, a European state or an international organization, let alone the Arab League--weaved a negotiated agreement between Israel and Hamas. What has changed? » Read more

ATFP hosts two exceptional delegations from Palestine Press Release - Contact Information: Hussein Ibish - April 23, 2008 - 12:00am The American Task Force on Palestine continued its advocacy work this month, hosting two Palestinian NGO delegations. On April 10, ATFP’s Board of Directors met with the “NGO Mapping Project” which identifies efficient and moderate Palestinian NGO’s for the international community. Read more

Ramallah Readies For Obama Visit ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post by Khaled Abu Toameh - July 15, 2008 - 3:17pm Palestinian Authority officials on Monday welcomed Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama's plans to visit Ramallah next week, saying they would brief him on the situation in the PA territories and the status of peace talks with Israel. The officials, however, warned that Obama's meeting with PA President Mahmoud Abbas, slated for July 23, did not mean that the Palestinians favor Obama over his Republican rival John McCain. » Read more

The Perils Of Unconditional Engagement In Print by Ghaith al-Omari - Middle East Progress (Opinion) - May 1, 2008 - 12:00am The issue of whether or not to engage Hamas boils down to the following question: would such engagement help moderate the organization, or would it simply improve Hamas? chances of dominating the Palestinian political scene and encourage extremism throughout the Middle East? For now, any engagement that goes beyond achieving de-escalation in Gaza would serve to bolster Hamas at the expense of those working toward a two-state solution. » Read more

Mideast Conflict: Need For A New Perspective In Print by Ziad Asali - Arab News (Opinion) - May 6, 2008 - 12:00am Peace is not easy. Achieving it requires summoning the deepest forms of courage. It means examining one?s darkest prejudices that dehumanize and demonize the other. The quest for mutual recognition of humanity and dignity is an arduous task. The question facing both Israelis and Palestinians is: Do they prefer to cling to the pain of past injuries and the suffering of their forefathers, or will they determine to move forward and build a better future for their children? » Read more

Israeli Army Arrests 8 Palestinians In Nablus ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Kuwait News Agency (kuna) July 15, 2008 - 3:15pm The Israeli Army arrested 8 Palestinians in Nablus, Tuesday, who Israel claims are affiliated with Hamas Movement. Palestinian security sources said Israeli forces arrested the former head of a charitable society in the city, Dr. abdulhaleem Al-Hanbali, after storming his house and also arrested two members of Nablus Municipality, Kholoud Al-Masri and her husband and Husam Qataloni and his son. A Nabuls Municipality statement said Israeli forces arrested 6 members out of a staff of 15 and claim they are affiliated with Hamas. » Read more