Last-minute deal could avert a collision course at the UN
In Print by Hussein Ibish - The National (Opinion) - September 20, 2011 - 12:00am

The insistence by the Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas that he will present a request for full UN membership for Palestine in its 1967 borders to Secretary General Ban Ki-moon at the General Assembly meeting later this week - although telegraphed months in advance - has sent shock waves through international relations, and Israeli and US domestic politics as well.

»

The Palestinian Bid for UN Membership: Rationale, Response, Repercussions Featuring Ghaith al-Omari, Amos Yadlin, and David Makovsky
Media Mention of Ghaith al-Omari In South Asian Pulse - September 20, 2011 - 12:00am

On September 12, 2011, Ghaith al-Omari, Amos Yadlin, and David Makovsky addressed a Policy Forum at The Washington Institute. Mr. al-Omari, executive director of the American Task Force on Palestine, previously served as director of international relations in the Office of the Palestinian President and as advisor to then prime minister Mahmoud Abbas. General Yadlin, the Institute's Kay fellow on Israeli national security, served for more than forty years in the Israel Defense Forces, including the last five as head of defense intelligence. Mr.

»

Barack Obama caught between Israel and his Palestinian 'promise'
Media Mention of Ghaith al-Omari In The Guardian - September 19, 2011 - 12:00am

Barack Obama has good reason to ask what the present Israeli government has ever done for him. When the White House asked it to halt construction of Jewish settlements in the occupied territories to give peace talks a chance, the building went on. After Washington pressed Binyamin Netanyahu to embrace the promise of Palestinian independence within months, the Israeli prime minister did his best to scupper any prospect of new talks.

»

A Palestine State: A Discussion with Ghaith al-Omari
Media Mention of Ghaith al-Omari In - September 19, 2011 - 12:00am

The Oberlin College Dialoge Center will facilitate a discussion led by Ghaith al-Omari, former senior research fellow with New America's American Strategy Program in 2008 and early 2009. Before joining the New America Foundation, al-Omari served in various senior positions within the Palestinian Authority, including foreign policy advisor to the Palestinian president, director of the International Relations Department in the Office of the Palestinian President, and senior advisor to former Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas.

»

Palestinian leader's path to statehood is a dangerous road to nowhere
Media Mention of Ziad Asali In The Augusta Chronicle - September 19, 2011 - 12:00am

This week, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas intends to propose a resolution requesting admission for a Palestinian state to the United Nations. Refusing to return to direct negotiations with Israel, Abbas has chosen instead to pursue a unilateral declaration of independence, ceasing all efforts to reach an agreement through negotiations. Unfortunately, if Abbas goes ahead with his plan at the United Nations, no one will suffer more than the Palestinian people themselves.

»

Avoiding an Israeli-Palestinian 'Train Wreck'
Media Mention of Ziad Asali In Council On Foreign Relations - September 16, 2011 - 12:00am

Though Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas plans to seek Palestinian statehood status at the UN General Assembly meeting next week, efforts are underway by the United States, Israel, and the Palestinians to avoid a major collision on the issue, says Ziad J. Asali, president of the American Task Force on Palestine.

»

Q&A on Palestinian statehood at the UN
Media Mention of Hussein Ibish In The Guardian - September 16, 2011 - 12:00am

The Palestinians are set to appeal to the United Nations in September for recognition of statehood. Despite opposition from Israel and the United States, a UN vote now looks inevitable. The Guardian and the Forward have brought together two experts to take part in an online Q&A to answer your questions about what may prove a game-changing development in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

»

Palestinian officials foresee secular, pluralistic state
Media Mention of Hussein Ibish In USA Today - September 16, 2011 - 12:00am

Palestinian leaders say a future Palestinian state would be secular and open to all religions — even Jews — if they are willing to follow their laws as Palestinian citizens. The Palestinians say they'll seek a vote on Palestinian statehood in the United Nations this month.

»

Avoiding Collision Course in Mideast
In Print by Ziad Asali - Council On Foreign Relations (Interview) - September 16, 2011 - 12:00am

Interviewer: Bernard Gwertzman, Consulting Editor CFR.org

»

Ten reasons Palestine is right to bring its case to the UN
Media Mention of Hussein Ibish In Haaretz - September 14, 2011 - 12:00am

There's a certain implied danger in the idea of playing darts in the dark. Particularly when there are numerous players in a crowded room, and not one has a well-defined target. For Mahmoud Abbas' Palestine, for Benjamin Netanyahu's Israel, and no less, for the Obama administration, the effort to bring Palestinian statehood to the United Nations for endorsement has raised profound fears, prompting internal debates fully as bitter as they have been largely fruitless, with no dependably favorable outcome in sight – for anyone.

»


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