April 21st

Diplomacy, Carter-style
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jewish Daily Forward
(Editorial) April 21, 2008 - 5:59pm

Amateur historians like to say that Jimmy Carter is much better as an ex-president than he was as president. That gets his presidency about right; he’s usually ranked near the bottom, slightly ahead of Millard Fillmore but trailing Herbert Hoover.

»

Abbas Wants 'framework Agreement' Before Bush Ends Term
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Agence France Presse (AFP)
April 21, 2008 - 5:58pm

  Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said Sunday that he was determined to achieve a "framework agreement" laying the foundations for a peace deal with Israel before the end of US President George W. Bush's term in office. "Our priority objective, which is also that of President Bush, To complete the negotiations by the end of 2008, "said Abbas, who is one an official visit to Tunis. He will be heading to Washington Tuesday. 

»

April 20th

ATFP President Ziad Asali discusses how to keep the peace process on track (1). Ynet news covers Mahmoud Abbas¹ upcoming visit to the U.S. (2). In the Independent, Donald Macintyre provides a glimpse into the lives of young Israeli soldiers serving in Hebron(4). Former President Jimmy Carter speaks in Jerusalem about his meetings with HAMAS (5) while a Presidential candidate argues for focus on the region (6). Al-Jazeera (8), Ynet news (10) and the Arab News (9) highlight three different developments negatively affecting life for Palestinians.

April 18th

All Of Gaza Can't Be Razed
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
(Editorial) April 18, 2008 - 6:27pm

Hamas can be blamed for the latest conflagration in the Gaza Strip. First came the attack on the Nahal Oz fuel depot; then came Wednesday's ambush, in which three Israel Defense Forces soldiers were killed; and then yesterday, an attempt to infiltrate Kibbutz Keren Shalom was foiled. Meanwhile, the Qassam and mortar attacks have resumed fully. Hamas clearly wants to drag Israel into an increasingly violent retaliation in Gaza, and Israel must not fall into this trap.

»

Mayor To Raise Funds For E. J'lem Arabs To Block Hamas
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
by Jonathan Lis - April 18, 2008 - 6:27pm

Jerusalem Mayor Uri Lupolianski is planning to enlist world Jewry in a fund-raising drive for East Jerusalem's Arabs, in a bid to counter Hamas influence in local schools. The money will be used mainly for educational projects in the east of the capital, where an acute classroom shortage means many pupils end up in schools identified with Hamas and the Palestinian Authority. "It should be a national imperative that every East Jerusalem child has access to a state school," Lupolianski said Thursday .

»

Abbas Turns To Russia For Help
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Middle East Times
by Sana Abdallah - April 18, 2008 - 6:25pm

As fighting continues to rage in the Gaza Strip and progress bogs down in the U.S.-sponsored peace negotiations with Israel, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has turned to Russia for help. Abbas was in Moscow Thursday calling to convene a conference in the Russian capital "as soon as possible" because the Palestinian-Israeli peace negotiations that were re-launched at Annapolis in November were not moving forward.

»

Palestinians Demand Release Of Prisoners Held By Israel
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Agence France Presse (AFP)
April 18, 2008 - 6:24pm

Palestinians held demonstrations across the Occupied West Bank Thursday in honor of Prisoner's Day and over 11,000 Palestinians held in Israeli jails. In the north around 2,000 people gathered in the heart of Nablus, waving Palestinian flags and holding large, framed portraits of loved ones, an AFP correspondent said.

»

For Israel’s Sake, Moderate American Jews Must Find Their Voice
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jewish Daily Forward
by Jeremy Benami - (Opinion) April 18, 2008 - 6:23pm

In just a few short years, the “two-state solution” has gone from presumed conclusion to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to an increasingly distant hope. Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has himself said that without such a deal, “the State of Israel is finished.” By the dozens, Israeli dignitaries solemnly warn: The window is closing on a two-state solution, and Israel’s prospects for a second, safer 60 years grow are growing ever dimmer.

»

Walking On J Street
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Israel Policy Forum
by M.J. Rosenberg - (Opinion) April 18, 2008 - 6:22pm

It’s been a long time since I’ve seen young Jews optimistic about anything related to Israel. I’m not talking about the college activists who, shocked at the anti-Israel sentiment on campus, find themselves joining up with conservative mainstream Jewish organizations to defend Israel to their skeptical peers. Those kids have always been around. I know. I was once one of the best-known campus activists for Israel, battling late 60’s and 70’s anti-Israel radicals almost non-stop.

»

Israel Sets Plans For More Homes In West Bank Settlements
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Associated Press
by Sarah El Deeb - April 18, 2008 - 6:20pm

Israel announced plans Friday to build 100 more homes in two West Bank settlements, one deep inside the territory sought by the Palestinians for their future state. Israel's housing minister said Israel never promised to freeze all such construction, although a U.S.-backed peace plan calls for a moratorium on settlement building. In a television interview, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said the expansion of settlements has emerged as a key obstacle to progress in peace negotiations with Israel.

»


American Task Force on Palestine - 1634 Eye St. NW, Suite 725, Washington DC 20006 - Telephone: 202-262-0017