November 25th, 2009

ATFP Reiterates the Centrality of Jerusalem to Negotiations Press Release - Contact Information: Hussein Ibish - November 25, 2009 - 1:00am Nov. 25, Washington, DC – The American Task Force on Palestine today reiterated its long-standing support for the resumption of Israeli-Palestinian permanent status negotiations on the basis outlined by President Barack Obama in his speech before the UN General Assembly addressing, “the permanent-status issues: security for Israelis and Palestinians; borders, refugees and Jerusalem.” Read more

November 17th

ATFP Expresses Deep Concern over Israeli Plans to Build 900 Units in Jerusalem Press Release - Contact Information: Ghaith al-Omari - November 17, 2009 - 1:00am Washington, DC, Nov. 17 -- ATFP expressed deep concern over Israeli plans to build 900 additional housing units in East Jerusalem. These plans contradict the United States’ policy of seeking a freeze on settlement activity in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, and gravely complicate the efforts to resume peace negotiations. Read more

November 2nd

ATFP Senior Fellow Moderates HCEF Conference Panel on Two-State Solution Press Release - Contact Information: Hussein Ibish - November 24, 2009 - 1:00am On Saturday, October 24, ATFP Senior Fellow Hussein Ibish moderated a panel on the two state solution between Israel and the Palestinians at the 11th international conference of The Holy Land Christian Ecumenical Foundation (HCEF). Panelists in the discussion were Dr. James Zogby, President of the Arab American Institute (AAI), and Paul L. Scham, Esq., Executive Director of the Gildenhorn Institute for Israel Studies at the University of Maryland and Adjunct Scholar at the Middle East Institute. Read more

ATFP Senior Fellow on Speaks on Palestinian Perspectives at J Street Conference Press Release - Contact Information: Hussein Ibish - November 27, 2009 - 1:00am ATFP Senior Fellow Hussein Ibish participated in a panel discussion on "Palestinian Perspectives: Looking Forward" on Oct. 27, 2009, at the first annual conference of the pro-Israel, pro-peace group J Street in Washington, DC. The panel was moderated by Amjad Atallah, Co-Director of the Middle East Task Force at the New America Foundation, and also included Nadia Bilbassy of the Middle East Broadcasting Center and Bassim Khoury, a former Minister of National Economy for the Palestinian Authority. Read more

October 16th

Gen. Jim Jones Reiterates US Commitment to Peace, Palestinian State at ATFP Gala Press Release - Contact Information: Hussein Ibish - October 16, 2009 - 12:00am Read more

October 9th

National Security Advisor James Jones to Address ATFP Gala Oct. 15 Press Release - Contact Information: Hussein Ibish - October 9, 2009 - 12:00am National Security Advisor James Jones to Address ATFP Gala Oct. 15 Media contact: Hussein Ibish, (202) 438-7297 Read more

September 22nd

ATFP Welcomes UN Meeting, Supports Pres. Obama’s Peace Efforts Press Release - Contact Information: Hussein Ibish - September 22, 2009 - 12:00am Washington, DC, Sept. 22 – The American Task Force on Palestine (ATFP) welcomed today’s trilateral meeting at the UN General Assembly between President Barack Obama, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. ATFP reiterated its strong support for President Obama’s Middle East peace initiative, and urged the administration to continue to spare no effort in pressing for an Israeli settlement freeze in the occupied territories and the resumption of permanent status negotiations. Read more

ATFP Joins Letter of Support for Obama Peace Initiative Press Release - Contact Information: Hussein Ibish - September 22, 2009 - 12:00am Washington, DC, Sept. 22 – Ziad J. Asali, President of the American Task Force on Palestine (ATFP), joined over 30 ethnic and religious leaders in a statement supporting President Obama’s initiative to secure a peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians. The full text of the statement is reproduced below: Letter in Support of a Comprehensive Middle East Peace: An American National Interest Imperative Read more

September 4th

ATFP Welcomes White House Statement on Israeli Settlement Activity Press Release - Contact Information: Hussein Ibish - September 4, 2009 - 12:00am Washington, DC, Sept. 4 -- The American Task Force on Palestine (ATFP) welcomed today's statement issued by the office of the White House Press Secretary stating the United States government's position that Israeli settlement activity should stop. The White House states that, "We regret the reports of Israel's plans to approve additional settlement construction," which importantly allows for the possibility that news reports that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is planning to approve several hundred new settler homes in the occupied West Bank may be inaccurate. Read more

September 2nd

ATFP Senior Fellow Remarks at Middle East Peace Civic Forum Press Release - Contact Information: Hussein Ibish - September 1, 2009 - 12:00am ATFP Senior Fellow Hussein Ibish speaking at an August 5, 2009 press conference at the National Press Club organized by the Middle East Peace Civic Forum, a group that promotes Israeli - Palestinian conflict resolution through an interfaith alliance of peace leaders in the U.S. and the Middle East. Read more