February 26th

Israel's next government will be 'more Jewish and more Zionist'
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Reuters
February 26, 2009 - 1:00am

Israel's next government will be "more Jewish and more Zionist", the confident faction leader of the right-wing National Union party declared Thursday, following coalition talks with members of Prime Minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party. "There was very positive atmosphere at the meeting [with Netanyahu]," said Yaakov Katz, as he emerged from the talks at Kfar Maccabiah in central Israel. "...There is an understanding with Likud that the next government will be more Jewish and more Zionist."

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U.S. envoy, Netanyahu meet on peace efforts
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
by Barak Ravid - February 26, 2009 - 1:00am

The special U.S. envoy tasked with jump-starting flagging peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians huddled Thursday with designated Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a vocal opponent of the negotiations. The meeting was the first between Netanyahu and George Mitchell since Netanyahu was tapped to lead Israel's next government.

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February 25th

Remarks at the University of Jordan
Speech by Ziad Asali at University of Jordan - March 30, 2008 - 12:00am

The last few years have witnessed a significant development in US foreign policy regarding the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. In addition to the longstanding strategic US commitment to Israel, the creation of a Palestinian state has now become a constant in the definition of US interests in the Middle East. While previous Administrations have embarked on peace making since the early 90’s, it was only recently recognized that a Palestinian state is not only desirable but necessary.

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Palestine-Israel Peace Process
Speech by Ziad Asali at World Affairs Councils of America - February 2, 2007 - 1:00am

The Palestine/Israel conflict has been a defining feature of the global political landscape for decades. Its resolution would present a major challenge to the status quo and those who benefit from it. It also would badly damage the careers of the legions of Middle East experts the world over.

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Palestinian Cabinet Minister meets with ATFP Board Members
Press Release - Contact Information: Hussein Ibish - February 25, 2009 - 1:00am

On Feb. 25, Palestinian minister of youth, sport and culture Mrs. Tahani Abu Dakka met with board members of the American Task Force on Palestine (ATFP) at ATFP’s offices in Washington, DC. Minister Abu Dakka and board members discussed the ministry’s activities and the overall political situation facing the Palestinian people. They discussed avenues of cooperation and how ATFP’s activism in the United States could help improve conditions for Palestinians, especially with regard to the minister’s responsibilities.


Hamas: Abbas Thwarting Shalit Deal
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews
by Ali Waked - August 20, 2008 - 12:00am

Hamas' military wing, the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades, held a wide-scale exercise Tuesday evening on the ruins of the former settlement of Netzarim. During the exercise, group spokesman Abu Ubaida said that if Israel carries on with its policy regarding a future prisoner exchange deal, kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit's fate will be similar to that of missing IDF navigator Ron Arad. Ubaida accused Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Salam Fayyad of thwarting the deal.

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Evacuated Settlement 'reestablished'
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews
by Erfat Weiss - August 20, 2008 - 12:00am

The Samaria Regional Council and the Homesh First organization decided to mark the third anniversary of the evacuation of the northern West Bank in a special way Tuesday evening. A number of Knesset members, including Yuli Edelstein (Likud), pressured Defense Minister Ehud Barak to let them hold a council meeting at the location of the evacuated settlement of Homesh, and end the event with a wedding.

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Israel Closes Gaza Crossings Over Rocket Fire
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews
by Shumlik Hadad - August 20, 2008 - 12:00am

Defense Minister Ehud Barak ordered the commercial crossings between Israel and the Gaza Strip closed as of Wednesday morning following the launching of a Qassam rocket towards southern Israel earlier on Tuesday. The crossings are to remain closed over the next two days. On Thursday Barak will conduct a revaluation of the situation Palestinian gunmen launched a Qassam rocket from northern Gaza towards Israel on Tuesday evening. The rocket landed in an open area in a kibbutz belonging to the Sha'ar Hanegev Regional Council.

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President Obama calls for diplomatic outreach and encourages peace between Israel and its neighbors in his address to Congress (1). Mideast Envoy George Mitchell embarks on his second trip to the region (2). Americans for Peace Now reports that Israel issued a number of new land seizure orders during the Gaza war (3). Veteran Mideast negotiator Dennis Ross is appointed to be Secretary Clinton’s special advisor on Iran (4). The first female Islamic judges in the Palestinian territories are appointed in the West Bank (5). Just ahead of reconciliation talks in Cairo, thousands of Palestinians rally in Nablus in support of President Mahmoud Abbas (10). Secretary of State Clinton expresses frustration as Israel delays delivery of the United States’ pledged $900 million in humanitarian aid for Gaza (14).

New land seizure orders issued during the Gaza operation - February 2009
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Americans For Peace Now
February 25, 2009 - 1:00am

The Peace Now Settlement Watch Team latest report discloses that a number of new land seizure orders were issued during the Gaza operation, a number of these orders were related to the route of the separation fence. In most cases they were irregular orders signed by a brigadier general, commander of the Judea and Samaria Division (as opposed to the Officer in Command of the Central Command who usually signs seizure orders), and are limited to only 60 days. Peace Now sees these seizure of orders as an attempt to establish quick facts on the ground and to bypass High Court provisions.

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