Peace Negotiations | The American Task Force on Palestine

Arab Peace Initiative is now of utmost importance, says Clinton
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
(Analysis) September 23, 2010 - 12:00am

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton lauded Wednesday the Arab Peace Initiative for Israel and the Palestinians, saying its principles are now "more important than ever," the French news agency AFP reported. The 2002 deal offers normalized Arab-Israeli ties in exchange for Israeli withdrawal from occupied territories and the creation of an independent Palestinian state. Clinton sent a message to Saudi King Abdullah to mark the Saudi national day on Thursday, and applauded Abdullah's backing of the initiative, calling it a "far-sighted vision for comprehensive regional peace."

Survey: Palestinians Believe Peace Talks Are Best Strategy
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Voice of America
(Analysis) September 23, 2010 - 12:00am

A new survey shows a majority of Palestinians believe peace negotiations are the best way to achieve their goals. The survey released Thursday by the Jerusalem Media and Communications Center showed 53 percent of those polled said peace talks were the best strategy. That compares with 26 percent who said violent resistance is the best method, and 16 percent who supported non-violent resistance.

Abbas Extends a Hand
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Forward
(Editorial) September 22, 2010 - 12:00am

President Mahmoud Abbas and his Palestinian Authority have opened a new front in the Middle East conflict: a charm offensive. One can wonder why it has taken so long, yet welcome the move just the same.

Meeting again with Jewish leaders, Abbas broaches substance
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Jewish Telegraphic Agency (JTA)
by Ron Kampeas - September 22, 2010 - 12:00am

For Mahmoud Abbas and U.S. Jewish leaders, their second date featured a little more substance and a little less flirtation. And this time the Palestinian Authority president brought a wing man. Abbas and his prime minister, Salam Fayyad, met separately Tuesday evening with Jewish leaders in New York -- a sign of understanding on the Palestinian side of the importance of Jewish sensibilities, in Israel and the Diaspora, to advancing the peace process.

Abbas: Talks may go on without freeze
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Politico
by Laura Rozen - September 22, 2010 - 12:00am

NEW YORK — Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas told American Jewish leaders Tuesday that direct talks with Israel could continue even if a partial moratorium on West Bank settlement construction is not extended.

Hopes and fears as settlement freeze due to expire
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from BBC News
by Yolande Knell - September 22, 2010 - 12:00am

His landlord has long wanted him to leave the property nearby where he currently lives with his six children. He has been waiting to begin work since November. "Most of all I have hope. This Sunday we start to build the house," he declares. "It will take only four months." Mr Erdan lives in Shilo, a Jewish settlement in the occupied West Bank, half-way between Ramallah and Nablus. He got his construction permit from the Israeli defence ministry a day before the Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, imposed a 10-month partial moratorium on new residential buildings.

Gov’t prepares ‘contingency plans’ if direct talks blow up
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post
by Herb Keinon - September 22, 2010 - 12:00am

With five days left until the settlement construction moratorium ends, talks are continuing in the US between Israeli, Palestinian Authority and American officials to find a “creative” solution to the issue, even as Jerusalem was preparing for the possibility the PA may indeed walk away from direct talks over the matter.

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