American Elections | The American Task Force on Palestine

Among Americans in Israel, More Forceful Backing for Romney
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times
by Isabel Kershner - October 23, 2012 - 12:00am

JERUSALEM — Americans living in Israel went to the polls this week, dropping sealed envelopes into improvised ballot boxes at community centers in this city and at other locations around the country. Instead of a unifying experience, though, participating in the November presidential elections from afar seemed to accentuate the distance between the American Jewish voters here and those back in the United States.

Who Threw Israel Under the Bus?
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times
by Efraim Halevy - (Opinion) October 23, 2012 - 12:00am

ON Monday, in their final debate, Mitt Romney denounced President Obama for creating “tension” and “turmoil” with Israel and chided him for having “skipped Israel” during his travels in the Middle East. Throughout the campaign, Mr. Romney has repeatedly accused Mr. Obama of having “thrown allies like Israel under the bus.”

Who's the Bigger Friend of Israel — And Do Voters Really Care?
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Al-Monitor
by Shibley Telhami - (Opinion) October 23, 2012 - 12:00am

One of the striking aspects of the third presidential debate was the frequent mention of Israel (34 times). Western Europe and the challenges facing the European Union, or Mexico and Latin America hardly registered. It is as if the Israel issue is a burning one in American politics, or that the American public is dying to see which candidate supports Israel more. Neither is close to the truth.

Romney, Obama pledge Israel backing, agree Iran strike last resort
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Reuters
by Tabassum Zakaria - October 23, 2012 - 12:00am

WASHINGTON, Oct 23 (Reuters) - U.S. President Barack Obama and Republican challenger Mitt Romney vied on Monday over who was Israel's strongest defender but both agreed that a military strike over Iran's nuclear program must be a "last resort." Tehran's nuclear program, which the West suspects is for developing weapons and that economic sanctions have so far failed to stop, is almost certain to be among the top foreign policy challenges facing the next president.

Obama and Romney need to confront, solve Israeli-Palestinian divisions
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Hill
by Ibrahim Abu Ta'a - (Blog) October 22, 2012 - 12:00am

I was born and raised in Jerusalem. Most of my work colleagues are Jewish, and despite the growing tension between Jews and Palestinians in Israel, years of working together have made us quite close. I speak Hebrew fluently, as well as my native Arabic, and I have always engaged my Jewish acquaintances with the same openness and respect I would give to anyone else.

Romney’s big chance with Jewish voters
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Reuters
by Keith Koffler - (Opinion) October 22, 2012 - 12:00am

Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney at the Monday foreign policy debate, should play to the Jewish TV audience like he was the star of a Borscht Belt revue.

Israel's Binyamin Netanyahu bets on Mitt Romney winning US presidency
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Guardian
by Anshel Pfeffer - (Opinion) October 22, 2012 - 12:00am

The third presidential debate tonight focusing on America's foreign policy will probably not have much impact on the race, two weeks before election day – and with an electorate much more concerned about economic prospects close to home than when exactly did Barack Obama acknowledge that the Benghazi 9/11 attack was an act of terror rather than a spontaneous reaction to the anti-Islam video.

Obama’s bad for Israel? His record indicates otherwise
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Times of Israel
by Steven L. Spiegel - (Opinion) October 19, 2012 - 12:00am

President Obama has been criticized for being antagonistic to or wrong for Israel. Some go so far as to claim that he is the worst president for Israel in American history. Really?

Scholars say Jewish shift to GOP a long way off
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Associated Press
by Rachel Zoll - October 18, 2012 - 12:00am

NEW YORK —Like Chicago Cubs fans in spring, Jewish Republicans start every presidential election season hoping this will be their year: American Jews, who have voted overwhelmingly Democratic for decades, will start a significant shift to the political right. But scholars who study Jewish voting patterns say not this year. Or anytime soon, for that matter. Although recent studies have found potential for some movement toward the GOP, analysts say any revolution in the U.S. Jewish vote is a long way off.

Romney Campaign Announces “Arab-Americans for Romney”
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Arab American Institute
(Press Release) October 15, 2012 - 12:00am

Washington, DC – On Friday, October 12, 2012, the Romney campaign announced “Arab Americans for Romney,” a national coalition of Arab American supporters of Gov. Mitt Romney’s bid for the presidency of the United States.

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