Date
Type

News:

FM al-Maliki says an Arab-backed draft resolution on ending Israel's occupation will be submitted later today to the UNSC for a vote. (AP/AFP)

Sec. Kerry reportedly told the Palestinians the US will veto the Palestinian UN resolution. (Ynet)

Kerry says the US is seeking to “carefully calibrate” steps on Palestine’s UN bid. (AFP/JTA/Ha’aretz/The National)

The European Parliament passes a resolution supporting the recognition of the State of Palestine. (AP/Ma’an/PNN/Ha’aretz/Times of Israel)

An EU court orders the removal of Hamas from its terrorist list. (AP/New York Times/PNN/JTA/Ha’aretz) 

PM Netanyahu demands EU immediately restore Hamas to its terrorism blacklist. (AFP/Times of Israel/Jerusalem Post) 

Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention say international humanitarian law must be followed in areas affected by the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians. (AP)

A poll indicates two thirds of Palestinians are afraid to criticize Pres. Abbas. (AP/Times of Israel)

Israeli occupation forces detain eight Palestinians in East Jerusalem. (Ma’an)

The New York Times looks at Israel’s crackdown on Lehava, a group tied to anti-Arab acts. (New York Times)

The Palestinian boycott of Israeli goods is reportedly faltering. (The Media Line)

Iraqi Kurdish forces launch an operation to retake the town of Sinjar. (Reuters/AP)

Germany will send 100 troops to Erbil to train the Iraqi Kurdish forces against ISIS. (AP)

A Chinese newspaper says about 300 Chinese people are fighting alongside ISIS in Iraq and Syria. (Reuters)

Iraq has requested a one-year deferral of $4.6 billion on Gulf War reparations. (Reuters) 

Iran says it backs Russia’s efforts to host a new round of peace talks between Damascus and the Syrian opposition. (Reuters)

Pres. Erdogan says the EU cannot give a “democracy lesson” to Turkey. (AFP)

Commentary:

Matthew Levitt looks at the decision by an EU court to annul Hamas’ terrorist designation. (WINEP)

Peter Beinart says why asking the UN to endorse a Palestinian state is more unilateral than building settlements. (Ha’aretz)

The Jordan Times says Netanyahu continues to show “blatant disregard” for the mandate of the UN and for international law. (Jordan Times)

Osama Al Sharif looks at the Palestinians’ bid at the UN Security Council. (Jordan Times)

Ben Caspit says the US will veto a Palestinian UN bid. (Al-Monitor)

Ahmad Melhem says the PA was all talk and no action on Abu Ein’s death. (Al-Monitor)

Thomas Friedman explains why Israel’s next election matters. (New York Times)

Ron Kampeas asks if Jewish American groups will “pivot” to the left if Labor Party leader Herzog wins. (JTA

Chemi Shalev offers a “sneak peak” at the results for the next Israeli election. (Ha’aretz)

Hassan Hassan looks at the potency of the Syrian jihad’s message around the world and online. (Foreign Policy)

Taylor Luck says Iraq’s Sunni tribes need support from Washington. (The National)

Michael Young says the discussion on Arab democratisation has come a full circle. (The National)

Abdul Rahman Al Rashed says the Russians will not let go of Pres. Assad. (Al Arabiya)

Raghida Dergham says the GCC has not fragmented. (Al Arabiya) 

ATFP bids farewell to its Executive Director Ghaith Al-Omari
Press Release - December 17, 2014 - 1:00am

ATFP bids farewell to its Executive Director Ghaith Al-Omari. Mr. Al-Omari will be joining the Washington Institute for Near East Policy as a Senior Fellow.     “My eight years at ATFP were a tremendous personal and professional experience” said, Mr. Al-Omari. “I was extremely fortunate to have been part of a team that effectively, consistently and passionately advocated for moderation, coexistence and a two-state solution as a US national security interest.



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