The Perils Of Unconditional Engagement Ghaith al-Omari
Middle East Progress, Opinion
May 5, 2008
 The issue of whether or not to engage Hamas boils down to the following question: would such engagement help moderate the organization, or would it simply improve Hamas' chances of dominating the Palestinian political scene and encourage extremism throughout the Middle East? For now, any engagement that goes beyond achieving de-escalation in Gaza would serve to bolster Hamas at the expense of those working toward a two-state solution.
ATFP, Secretary Rice, Private Sector Leaders Promote Investment in Palestine April 29, 2008
 This morning, Dr. Asali and fellow U.S.-Palestinian Partnership co-chairs met with Secretary Rice and private sector business leaders to promote investment in Palestine.

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Yasser Abd Rabbo Cautions Against "Partition of West Bank" Press Release
April 25, 2008
 In a speech in Washington today, Yasser Abd Rabbo, a PLO Executive Committee Member and Policy Adviser to Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas, reiterated the Palestinian commitment to peace with Israel and praised Bush Administration efforts to reach an agreement. He repeatedly cautioned Israel against seeking "the partition of the West Bank," which he said Palestinians "will never accept."

Click here to read entire opinion ATFP hosts two exceptional delegations from Palestine Press Release
April 24, 2008

 The American Task Force on Palestine continued its advocacy work this month, hosting two Palestinian NGO delegations. On April 10, ATFP's Board of Directors met with the "NGO Mapping Project" which identifies efficient and moderate Palestinian NGO's for the international community.

Click here to read entire press release Mideast Peace ProspectsBy Ziad Asali
The Washington Times, Opinion
April 21, 2008
 Though I have been to the region many times, my most recent trip to Israel, the Palestinian territories and Jordan confirmed the alarming new obstacles facing the quest for peace in the Middle East and the urgency with which they need to be addressed by all parties.

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"Celebrating that does not mean that you don't recognize that there were consequences for the people of the region from that founding [of Israel], and we're still trying to deal with those consequences," she said. "And the fact that the president has talked about the need to found a Palestinian state, and has been talking about that since he became President, practically, says that he recognizes that the Palestinians also deserve to live in their own state and become a vibrant democracy."

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice
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ATFP/APN Viewpoints on Post Annapolis
MEI
January, 2008

 FMEP president Ambassador Philip Wilcox moderated a dialogue between ATFP president Dr. Ziad Asali and APN spokesperson Ori Nir under the auspices of the Middle East Institute on the post Annapolis period.

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