April 27th

ATFP Senior Fellow Debates ADL’s Dallas Director on Middle East Peace
Press Release - Contact Information: Hussein Ibish - April 27, 2009 - 12:00am

On April 21, ATFP Senior Fellow Hussein Ibish debated the Dallas regional director of the Anti-Defamation League, Mark L. Briskman, on the future of peace and conflict between Israel and the Palestinians at Southern Methodist University in Dallas. Ibish emphasized the strong need both parties have for a peace agreement and the important role the Obama administration should play in helping them move forward. Ibish said the conflict was driven by the occupation and that ending it was the key to any viable peace agreement. Mr.


Obama move alarms Israel supporters
Media Mention of Ziad Asali In The Los Angeles Times - April 27, 2009 - 12:00am

The administration seeks changes that would permit aid to Palestinians even if officials backed by Hamas, which has been designated a terrorist group, become part of a unified Palestinian government. By Paul Richter Reporting from Washington — The Obama administration, already on treacherous political ground because of its outreach to traditional adversaries such as Iran and Cuba, has opened the door a crack to engagement with the militant group Hamas. The Palestinian group is designated by the U.S. government as a terrorist organization and under law may not receive federal aid.

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Different Agendas Of Netanyahu, Obama
Media Mention of Ghaith al-Omari In The Bulletin - April 27, 2009 - 12:00am

President Barack Obama and Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the new leaders of their respective democratic nations, are like two horses bound to a carriage, each pulling in a different direction as it relates to Middle East policy. For Mr. Netanyahu however, the Middle East is home turf, and any wrong move might have critical if not existential consequences. For Mr.

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Numerous Odds against a Lebanese Model for Palestinian Unity Government
Media Mention of Ghaith al-Omari In Dar Al-Hayat - April 26, 2009 - 12:00am

The Lebanese Model that US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton referred to last week as a possible mechanism to work with a Palestinian unity government is becoming less likely due to the numerous odds against Hamas and Fatah in reaching an agreement.

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April 24th

King Abdullah II of Jordan calls for an end to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict in a speech to the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (1). Secretary of State Clinton says that support for Israel in regards to Iran will only come “hand-in-hand” with progress towards a Palestinian state (2)(3). Israeli Foreign Minister Lieberman calls the Arab Peace initiative ‘dangerous’ (5). Israeli mayor of Jerusalem rejects calls for a halt on demolitions of Arab homes (6). PM Netanyahu criticizes the EU for freezing their upgrade in ties (7). The candidate for Israel’s Ambassador to Washington supports a unilateral withdrawal of the West Bank including many settlements (9). Secretary Clinton vows that the US will only deal with a Palestinian government that commits to halting violence and recognizing the state of Israel (10). President Obama’s support for a two-state solution gives Arabs hope, but some skepticism remains.

Arabs optimistic, but cautious over Obama’s remarks
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Arab News
by Abdul Jalil Mustafa - April 24, 2009 - 12:00am

Jordanian politicians and media leaders yesterday welcomed US President Barack Obama’s strong support for the two-state solution of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, but cast doubt on the extent of pressure he could be ready to put on the Israeli right-wing government, given the influence of the Jewish lobby in the United States. “We are optimistic, but we should not go too far in this optimism,” Mahmoud Mhaidat, chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee at the Jordanian lower house of Parliament, told Arab News.

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Aid that costs Gaza more
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Gulf News
by Stuart Reigeluth - (Opinion) April 23, 2009 - 12:00am

Reaching far into the billions, international pledges for the reconstruction of Gaza - at the donor conference held at Sharm Al Shaikh, Egypt in March - were simply unprecedented. Many pledges were "rolling" from previous pledges that had not yet been disbursed. Most funds are directed to international UN-run mechanisms and local NGOs that are permitted to work with the Ramallah-based Palestinian National Authority (PNA). The United States for example pledged $900 million (Dh3.3 billion), $600 million of which was destined for Ramallah and not Gaza.

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Clinton: Palestinian gov't must recognize Israel
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Center For Strategic & International Studies
April 23, 2009 - 12:00am

US secretary of state promises House appropriations committee 'no aid will flow to Hamas or any entity controlled by it', says Washington won't deal with any Palestinian unity gov't that fails halt violence against Israel, recognize its right to exist AFP US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Thursday expressed doubt that rival Palestinian factions will clinch a deal on a unity government, but wanted to keep options open if they do.

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Candidate for U.S. envoy: Israel must unilaterally quit West Bank
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
by Barak Ravid - April 24, 2009 - 12:00am

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's candidate for Israeli ambassador to Washington, Dr. Michael Oren, supports a unilateral Israeli withdrawal from the West Bank and an evacuation of most of the settlements. Oren, a visiting Georgetown University professor, said in a lecture there last month, "The only alternative for Israel to save itself as a Jewish state is by unilaterally withdrawing from the West Bank and evacuating most of the settlements."

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Is Netanyahu really on a collision course with Obama?
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
by Aluf Benn - April 24, 2009 - 12:00am

His meeting with U.S. President Barack Obama in Washington next month will be a formative event in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's political career. Its outcome will determine whether Netanyahu's impressive comeback a decade after he left the prime ministership will lead him once again into disputes and confrontations with the U.S. administration, as happened in his first term, or whether the old-new Netanyahu will become a desired and welcome guest in the White House.

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American Task Force on Palestine - 1634 Eye St. NW, Suite 725, Washington DC 20006 - Telephone: 202-262-0017