February 26th

PA to seek $2.8 billion to rebuild war-ravaged Gaza ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Agence France Presse (AFP) February 26, 2009 - 1:00am The Palestinian Authority said on Wednesday it will seek $2.8 billion to rebuild Gaza, as Israel threatened another military offensive if alleged arms smuggling into the Hamas-run enclave continues. "We have prepared a document on the basis of which donors will make their aid pledges. It foresees a total of $2.8 billion for all sectors," Palestinian Premier Salam Fayyad said at the headquarters of his Western-backed government in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. » Read more

Egypt urges Palestinian reconciliation ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Associated Press February 26, 2009 - 1:00am Egypt urged all Palestinian factions on Thursday to work on ending their internal chasm in reconciliation talks aimed at pushing rivals Hamas and Fatah to form an interim unity government. "Your people are looking forward to seeing the beginning of your unity," said Gen. Omar Sulieman, Egypt's intelligence head, in nationally televised comments Thursday. Distrust between the groups runs deep after a power struggle including Hamas' violent takeover of Gaza in 2007, leaving Fatah in charge of only the West Bank. » Read more

Fayyad asks donors to channel Gaza aid through him ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews February 26, 2009 - 1:00am Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad is asking donor countries to channel hundreds of millions in expected aid for Gaza "first and foremost" through his government. Fayyad's request is part of a 53-page report he presented to donors ahead of a pledging conference for Gaza next week. The report was obtained Thursday by The Associated Press. Gaza's Hamas rulers are not invited to the conference. Instead, the Palestinians will be represented by Fayyad, a US-backed moderate and Hamas rival. » Read more

Egypt to Hamas, Fatah: Reconcile for Palestinian statehood ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Reuters February 26, 2009 - 1:00am Egyptian intelligence head Omar Suleiman on Thursday urged rival factions Hamas and Fatah to unite in order to establish a Palestinian state. "Everyone is looking towards you ... and are hanging their hopes on you. So do not prolong the disagreement and deepen the division. Unite ranks to fulfill the hopes of all for an independent Palestinian state," said Suleiman, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak's right hand-man. » Read more

Israel's next government will be 'more Jewish and more Zionist' ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Reuters February 26, 2009 - 1:00am Israel's next government will be "more Jewish and more Zionist", the confident faction leader of the right-wing National Union party declared Thursday, following coalition talks with members of Prime Minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party. "There was very positive atmosphere at the meeting [with Netanyahu]," said Yaakov Katz, as he emerged from the talks at Kfar Maccabiah in central Israel. "...There is an understanding with Likud that the next government will be more Jewish and more Zionist." » Read more

U.S. envoy, Netanyahu meet on peace efforts ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Barak Ravid - February 26, 2009 - 1:00am The special U.S. envoy tasked with jump-starting flagging peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians huddled Thursday with designated Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a vocal opponent of the negotiations. The meeting was the first between Netanyahu and George Mitchell since Netanyahu was tapped to lead Israel's next government. » Read more

February 25th

Remarks at the University of Jordan Speech by Ziad Asali at University of Jordan - March 30, 2008 - 12:00am The last few years have witnessed a significant development in US foreign policy regarding the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. In addition to the longstanding strategic US commitment to Israel, the creation of a Palestinian state has now become a constant in the definition of US interests in the Middle East. While previous Administrations have embarked on peace making since the early 90’s, it was only recently recognized that a Palestinian state is not only desirable but necessary. » Read more

Palestine-Israel Peace Process Speech by Ziad Asali at World Affairs Councils of America - February 2, 2007 - 1:00am The Palestine/Israel conflict has been a defining feature of the global political landscape for decades. Its resolution would present a major challenge to the status quo and those who benefit from it. It also would badly damage the careers of the legions of Middle East experts the world over. » Read more

Palestinian Cabinet Minister meets with ATFP Board Members Press Release - Contact Information: Hussein Ibish - February 25, 2009 - 1:00am On Feb. 25, Palestinian minister of youth, sport and culture Mrs. Tahani Abu Dakka met with board members of the American Task Force on Palestine (ATFP) at ATFP’s offices in Washington, DC. Minister Abu Dakka and board members discussed the ministry’s activities and the overall political situation facing the Palestinian people. They discussed avenues of cooperation and how ATFP’s activism in the United States could help improve conditions for Palestinians, especially with regard to the minister’s responsibilities. Read more

Hamas: Abbas Thwarting Shalit Deal ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews by Ali Waked - August 20, 2008 - 12:00am Hamas' military wing, the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades, held a wide-scale exercise Tuesday evening on the ruins of the former settlement of Netzarim. During the exercise, group spokesman Abu Ubaida said that if Israel carries on with its policy regarding a future prisoner exchange deal, kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit's fate will be similar to that of missing IDF navigator Ron Arad. Ubaida accused Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Salam Fayyad of thwarting the deal. » Read more