July 12th

Presbyterians Press U.S. on Aid to Israel
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Associated Press
July 12, 2010 - 12:00am


Presbyterian leaders want the United States to end aid to Israel unless the country stops settlement expansions in disputed Palestinian territories. Delegates of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) voted Friday to support the move during the church’s general assembly in Minneapolis. The measure passed with 82 percent of the vote. Jewish groups have long taken issue with various Presbyterian statements on the Middle East. But at least one group offered qualified praise on Friday.


'Palestinian-Israeli situation could lead to a holy war if not resolved soon'
Media Mention of Ziad Asali In Arab News - July 12, 2010 - 12:00am

WASHINGTON: US President Barack Obama assured Mahmoud Abbas by telephone on Friday of his commitment to the establishment of a Palestinian state. The call followed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's White House meeting with Obama on Tuesday, in which the two leaders discussed a number of issues including Israel's stalled peace talks with the Palestinians. Dr. Ziad Asali, the president and founder of the Washington-based American Task Force on Palestine, said it is important to keep focused on the efforts the president is making in outreach to both Palestinians and Israelis.


'Palestinian-Israeli situation could lead to a holy war if not resolved soon'
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Arab News
by Barbara Ferguson - July 12, 2010 - 12:00am


WASHINGTON: US President Barack Obama assured Mahmoud Abbas by telephone on Friday of his commitment to the establishment of a Palestinian state. The call followed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's White House meeting with Obama on Tuesday, in which the two leaders discussed a number of issues including Israel's stalled peace talks with the Palestinians. Dr. Ziad Asali, the president and founder of the Washington-based American Task Force on Palestine, said it is important to keep focused on the efforts the president is making in outreach to both Palestinians and Israelis.


July 9th

Verbal Testimony of Dr. Ziad J. Asali - U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations
Speech by Ziad Asali at - March 4, 2010 - 1:00am

Back to Press Release VERBAL TESTIMONY OF DR. ZIAD J. ASALI President, American Task Force on Palestine U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) March 4, 2010 Mr. Chairman, I wish to thank you and the esteemed members of your Committee for the privilege of testifying before you.


ATFP Senior Fellow on VOA's Encounter Program on the Gaza Flotilla attack
Interview with Hussein Ibish - Voice of America - June 15, 2010 - 12:00am

Topic: Gaza Blockade Controversy


Goodwill moves likely upon PM’s return
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post
by Yaakov Katz - July 9, 2010 - 12:00am


The Defense Ministry is drafting a comprehensive list of confidence-building measures that it anticipates it will be asked to implement after Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu returns to Israel on Friday from his meeting with US President Barack Obama, The Jerusalem Post has learned.


PM Netanyahu vows to “take risks," and says peace is possible within one year if direct talks begin, but Palestinians call this a “ploy.” Roger Cohen looks at the deterioration in Israel-Turkey relations. The UN says the West Bank separation barrier is still harming Palestinians and the Guardian profiles an affected village. A leader of protests against the wall remains incarcerated by Israel. Palestinians expect to face US pressure. Pres. Obama urges Israelis to seize the opportunity for peace. Netanyahu indicates he will not extend the settlement moratorium. About 4 million Palestinians are estimated to be living in the occupied territories. A Fatah leader says there has been no progress in proximity talks. Zeev Sternhell says Israel is losing its moral compass. Israelis expect “confidence building measures” to be enacted shortly. A study suggests a link between trauma and violence in Gaza. The Jerusalem Post welcomes Obama's outreach to Israelis. Zuheir Kseibati says Netanyahu made progress with Obama. George Hishmeh says Obama and Netanyahu should read a new book by Susan Abulhawa. Hussein Ibish looks at the ongoing tensions lurking beneath the smiles at the Obama-Netanyahu meeting.

ATFP Senior Fellow on All Things Considered: Israeli Raid Presents Opportunity For Palestinians
Interview with Hussein Ibish - National Public Radio (NPR) - June 7, 2010 - 12:00am

Full transcript below: GUY RAZ, host:Now, the pro-Israel lobby, AIPAC, is proud of its reputation as one of the most powerful advocacy groups in Washington, D.C.


Fatah leader says no progress in proximity talks
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua
July 9, 2010 - 12:00am


A senior Fatah leader said here on Thursday that the Israeli-Palestinians proximity talks did not yield any progress that meets previously set conditions. The meeting between U.S. President Barack Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Washington on Tuesday did not provide any good signs, Nabil Shaath, a Fatah Central Committee member, told reporters in Cairo after meeting with Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa.


Netanyahu: Mideast deal possible in year if direct peace talks start
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
by Barak Ravid - July 9, 2010 - 12:00am


Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the Council on Foreign Relations in New York on Thursday that if direct negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority begin, it would be possible to reach a peace deal within a year. In his speech to the prestigious foreign-policy think tank, Netanyahu stressed that he did not return to the post of prime minister in order to do nothing and said he was willing to make unprecedented concessions.



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