U.S.-Israel Relations | The American Task Force on Palestine

Jews Shift Toward GOP, Survey Claims
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jewish Daily Forward
by Josh Nathan-Kazis - February 3, 2012 - 12:00am

Jewish support for the Republican Party has grown dramatically since 2008 nationwide, a new analysis of survey data out from the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press suggests. The data found that the shift in the GOP direction has been more significant than among the general public. The findings could point to trouble for the Democrats in the 2012 presidential election, where both parties are counting on strong showings among Florida’s Jewish voters in particular.

U.S. Jews should put themselves before Israel
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
by Anshel Pfeffer - (Opinion) February 3, 2012 - 12:00am

The second-richest Jew in the world is once again in the spotlight. Sheldon Adelson and his wife Miri have together donated $10 million to Winning Our Future, the political action committee supporting Newt Gingrich's campaign for the Republican presidential nomination, and the pundits are asking how one man and his wife can be allowed to sway an election with the weight of their money.

Why the US-Israel relationship is unique and critical
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post
by Alllen B. West - (Opinion) February 2, 2012 - 12:00am

The history of the Jewish people in the land of Israel stems back more than 3,000 years, unbowed by the sequential rise and fall of the Assyrians, Babylonians, Persians, Greeks, Maccabeans, Romans, Byzantines, Arabs, Egyptians, Crusaders, Mamelukes and Turks. In comparison, the history of our own United States dates back 236 years. Although America is a young society, we have shared fundamental principles with the Jewish heritage from the time of our founding. Today, the bonds between America and Israel are stronger than ever, yet they have never been more threatened.

Israel Replace Race as Obama Fear
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jewish Daily Forward
by Josh Nathan-Kazis - (Analysis) February 1, 2012 - 12:00am

Boca Raton, Fla. — In 2008, comedian Sarah Silverman recorded a web video urging young Jews to go to Florida and convince their grandparents to vote for Obama. If Obama lost, Silverman warned, she would “blame the Jews.” Silverman was joking, sort of. But she was also responding to rumors, then rampant among older Floridian Jews, that Obama was a Muslim — and to the widespread belief that these rumors would hurt his election bid. Obama went on to earn 78% of the Jewish vote nationally and to win Florida, including the heavily Jewish Florida counties of Broward and Palm Beach.

The Monitor, Merrimac, and Middle East
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Foreign Policy
by Robert Satloff - (Opinion) January 31, 2012 - 12:00am

"Our ironclad commitment -- and I mean ironclad -- to Israel's security has meant the closest military cooperation between our two countries in history."

Gingrich Won’t Win, and Bibi Will Be in a Lose-Lose Situation
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
by Yossi Sarid - (Opinion) January 27, 2012 - 12:00am

Newt Gingrich won in South Carolina and that's good, very good. What's so good about the victory of an egomaniac who has compared himself to Churchill, de Gaulle and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu? It's good because it's bad for the Republican Party, which is drunk not on wine but on tea. That's how the wild party will continue until the summer, and they'll all swallow each other alive.

Dennis Ross still advising Obama on regular basis, despite stepping down
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
by Barak Ravid - January 27, 2012 - 12:00am

Despite the fact that he resigned from his post in the Obama administration, longtime American diplomat Dennis Ross just cannot quit. Haaretz has learned that Ross still advises President Barak Obama on a regular basis, and maintains an open channel with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Shocking Silence
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jordan Times
by George S. Hishmeh - (Opinion) January 27, 2012 - 12:00am

It is unbelievable, actually bewildering, that an American newspaperman should suggest that one of three options facing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the conflict with Iran over its nuclear policies is to assassinate the American president. Although he did not mention Barack Obama by name, all those who read the column felt this American president was the target. Equally appalling has been the failure of the American media, by and large, to cover this shocking issue that surfaced two weeks ago on a website.

What Sheldon's Money Buys
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jewish Daily Forward
by Gal Beckerman - (Opinion) January 26, 2012 - 12:00am

It is safe to say that without multi-billionaire Sheldon Adelson’s help the chances of Newt Gingrich becoming the Republican nominee for president would be zero — and consequently the race itself, going into Florida at the moment, would not be the competitive, drag-out fight it has become. Adelson, the hotel and casino magnate, has kept Gingrich alive, first through an infusion of $5 million into a super PAC, which allowed the former speaker to defend himself against attacks by Mitt Romney and led to Gingrich’s thumping victory in South Carolina.

On Israel, think tank adopts a more cautious approach, even as anger at critic lingers
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Jewish Telegraphic Agency (JTA)
by Ron Kampeas - January 26, 2012 - 12:00am

WASHINGTON (JTA) -- In one corner was the Center for American Progress, or CAP, arguably Washington’s leading liberal think tank. In the other was Josh Block, a pugnacious former spokesman for the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, who aggressively pushed the notion to reporters that CAP has an Israel problem. Nearly two months after their dispute made headlines, both parties have been left bloodied -- and some in the pro-Israel community say they wish the issue had never played out in such a public way.