February 27th

Israel’s Settlement Expansion Plans Seriously Threaten All Hopes for Peace Press Release - Contact Information: Hussein Ibish - February 27, 2009 - 1:00am Washington DC, Feb. 27 – The American Task Force on Palestine (ATFP) today warned that a series of planned major expansions in Israel’s settlements in the occupied West Bank constitute an exceptionally dangerous threat to the prospects of a peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians. Read more

ATFP Board Member Participates in Kennedy Center Festival Press Release - Contact Information: Alison Becker - February 27, 2009 - 1:00am Mr. Farah Munayyer, Board member of the American Task Force on Palestine, and his wife Mrs. Hanan Munayyer, co-founders of the Palestinian Heritage Foundation, participated in Arabesque: Arts from the Arab World, at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC. The Festival that celebrates the culture of the Arab world was dedicated on Monday, February 23, 2009 will remain open to the public through March 15, 2009. Read more

February 25th

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. Read more

February 16th

ATFP Urges US Government to Take Action on New Planned Israeli Settlement Press Release - Contact Information: Hussein Ibish - February 16, 2009 - 1:00am Washington DC, Feb. 16 – The American Task Force on Palestine (ATFP) today urged the United States government to use its influence to work with the Israeli government to stop announced plans for a major expansion of the Givat Ha'eytam settlement in the occupied West Bank. The Israeli occupation Civil Administration has reportedly declared 1,700 dunams (approximately 370 acres) of land in the northern part of the Efrat settlement, south of Jerusalem between Bethlehem and Hebron, to be “state land,” which sets the stage for the potential construction of 2,500 new settlement housing units. Read more

February 12th

ATFP Calls for Urgent Aid to Gaza, Settlement Freeze at Congressional Hearing Press Release - Contact Information: Hussein Ibish - February 12, 2009 - 1:00am Washington, DC, Feb.12 – While urgent humanitarian aid for Palestinians in the Gaza Strip is immediately required, the long-term consequences of the recent Gaza war depend on advancements in the peace process and a settlement freeze, Dr. Ziad J. Asali, President of the American Task Force on Palestine (ATFP) told a congressional hearing today. Read more

February 11th

ATFP to Testify in Congressional Hearing on Gaza, Warned in June Against Looming War Press Release - Contact Information: Hussein Ibish - February 11, 2009 - 1:00am Washington, DC, Feb. 11 – American Task Force on Palestine (ATFP) President Dr. Ziad J. Asali will testify before the House Committee on Foreign Affairs' Subcommittee on the Middle East and South Asia at a hearing entitled "Gaza After the War: What Can Be Built on the Wreckage?" The hearing will be held Thursday, February 12, 2009 at 9:30 AM in Room 2172 of the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington DC. It hearing will be streamed live online and can be seen at: http://www.internationalrelations.house.gov/ Read more

February 9th

ATFP President to Testify at House Committee Hearing on Gaza Press Release - Contact Information: Hussein Ibish - February 9, 2009 - 1:00am Washington, DC, Feb. 9 – American Task Force on Palestine (ATFP) President and Founder Dr. Ziad Asali will testify before the House Committee on Foreign Affairs' Subcommittee on the Middle East and South Asia at a hearing entitled "Gaza After the War: What Can Be Built on the Wreckage?" In his testimony, Dr. Asali will focus on the need for political progress towards a two-state solution, the human and political impact of the war in Gaza, ways to ensure that such events do not recur, and mechanisms and modalities for the efficient and expedited reconstruction of Gaza. Read more

February 4th

ATFP Warns Against Israel’s Plans for New West Bank Settlement Press Release - Contact Information: Hussein Ibish - February 4, 2009 - 1:00am Washington, DC, Feb. 4 – The American Task Force on Palestine (ATFP) today warned that plans for a new Israeli settlement in the West Bank poses a serious threat to progress towards a peace agreement. The proposed new settlement in the so-called “Binyamin region” of the occupied West Bank is located to the east of the separation barrier and would violate both Israel’s Roadmap obligations and commitments by former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon to former US President George W. Bush. Read more

El caso Palestino se discutió en la UCR Press Release - Contact Information: Hussein Ibish - February 4, 2009 - 1:00am En Espanol | In English San José, (elpais.cr) - “Si Palestinos y Árabes deben escoger entre el fracaso que se observa como rendición pacífica y el fracaso que se ve como “martirio glorioso” en el nombre de Dios y de la nación, elegirán este último”. Read more

February 1st

ATFP Senior Fellow Speaks on Gaza Crisis at University of Costa Rica Press Release - Contact Information: Hussein Ibish - January 31, 2009 - 1:00am Washington, DC, Jan. 31 – ATFP Senior Fellow Hussein Ibish lectured at the University of Costa Rica Law School on Jan. 30 on the subject, “The Gaza Conflict: Summary and Future Impact.” Dr. Ibish told the audience of law students, faculty and diplomats that the Gaza conflict could be a turning point in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, but its effects would more likely be decided by events in the West Bank in the coming 12-24 months as Palestinians and other Arabs would be comparing the results of the competing policies of confrontation and negotiation. Read more