A: ATFP's fundamental mission [2] is to advocate that a conflict-ending solution that allows two states, Israel and Palestine, to live side-by-side in peace, security and dignity is in the American national interest. ATFP emphasizes its role as an American organization serving American interests first and foremost. ATFP sees those interests as directly and indispensably served by the creation of a Palestinian state in the territories occupied in 1967. It believes such an arrangement is the only potential conflict-ending solution and supports negotiations to achieve it. ATFP also seeks to bring Americans and Palestinians closer together at every level, and to mainstream Palestine, Palestinians, Palestinian Americans in the American policy and broader national conversations.
ATFP also stands for the continuous improvement of the Palestinian [3] quality of life despite the political and diplomatic variables [4]. ATFP strongly supports Palestinian economic development, institutional-building and reforms aimed at good governance, accountability, transparency and the rule of law. ATFP supports the creation of a state of Palestine that is democratic, pluralistic, tolerant and peaceful. ATFP believes [5] that resolving the Palestinian issue is inextricably linked with developments in the Arab world [6] and the broader Middle East. It also holds that American interests and values [7] are complementary rather than contradictory in the Middle East, and especially with regard to Palestine.
ATFP's approach is characterized by a combination of “principles and pragmatism” (which was the title of the first collection of ATFP publications, speeches and essays issued in book [8] form and online by the group in 2007). ATFP is not a community, ethnic or grassroots organization. It is a policy organization dedicated to help achieving a set of policy goals. However, ATFP participates in not only the broader American, but also the specifically Arab-American, political and social conversations. ATFP stands strongly for building the widest, most far-reaching coalitions possible in favor of achieving an end to the occupation and the creation of a Palestinian state alongside Israel. It also stands for civility and pluralism, and recognizes that there are many different points of view and approaches within the Palestinian-American and Arab-American communities. ATFP believes that conversations should be carried out with mutual respect and the ability to agree to disagree.
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