Diplomacy | The American Task Force on Palestine

E.U. Divided by 'Palestine' Bid at U.N.
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times
by Judy Dempsey - September 12, 2011 - 12:00am

BERLIN — It is a rare moment of truth. After years of advocating a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the Europeans will have to decide whether to support the Palestinian bid to become a member of the United Nations. Over the coming days, the Palestinian Authority will finalize the text of the resolution it will present this month to the United Nations. The Palestinians want their status upgraded from “observer” to full membership but might have to settle in the end for “nonmember state,” similar to the Vatican.

Israeli intelligence urges return to peace talks with Palestinians
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
by Barak Ravid - September 12, 2011 - 12:00am

In recent weeks the Foreign Ministry, Military Intelligence, the Shin Bet security service and the Mossad have distributed a number of documents stating that a return to negotiations would tone down tensions and anger against Israel. The documents, issued ahead of the expected UN vote on a Palestinian state, also state that while changes in the Arab world could be a threat to Israel, they also represent opportunities for Israel to improve its diplomatic standing. "All the documents recommend progress vis-a-vis the Palestinians," a source close to Defense Minister Ehud Barak said.

Obama and Abbas: From Speed Dial to Not Talking
Media Mention of Ziad Asali In The New York Times - September 12, 2011 - 12:00am

WASHINGTON — Among the very first foreign leaders President Obama called after entering the Oval Office on Jan. 21, 2009, was the president of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas. The last time the two men spoke was in February, when Mr. Obama failed, in an awkward, 55-minute phone conversation, to persuade Mr. Abbas not to go to the United Nations to condemn Israel for building Jewish settlements.

Israel arrives at a tough diplomatic intersection
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Christian Science Monitor
by Joshua Mitnick - September 12, 2011 - 12:00am

Israel is expected to exercise "maximum restraint" as it faces a trio of regional challenges that threaten to further deepen its isolation, already more acute than the Jewish state has seen in decades. Powered by The sharp deterioration in ties with key partners Egypt and Turkey in recent days could pressure Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government to shift its approach to regional challenges – most immediately, the Palestinian statehood bid at the United Nations next week.

Obama and Abbas: From Speed Dial to Not Talking
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times
by Mark Landler - September 9, 2011 - 12:00am

WASHINGTON — Among the very first foreign leaders President Obama called after entering the Oval Office on Jan. 21, 2009, was the president of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas. The last time the two men spoke was in February, when Mr. Obama failed, in an awkward, 55-minute phone conversation, to persuade Mr. Abbas not to go to the United Nations to condemn Israel for building Jewish settlements.

Netanyahu must go, it's as simple as that
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
by Yoel Marcus - (Opinion) September 9, 2011 - 12:00am

The head of the Home Front Command, Maj. Gen. Eyal Eisenberg, warns: The probability and danger of an all-out war have increased. "Israel has discovered new and dangerous weapons in Gaza," he says, summing up the poem by saying: We can expect a radical Islamic winter. On the other hand, Amos Gilad, who was once known as a doomsayer, says the opposite: Our situation has never been better.

Turn crisis into opportunity
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post
(Editorial) September 9, 2011 - 12:00am

The Americans are making a last-ditch effort to convince Palestinians to halt their plan to ask the UN later this month to recognize a Palestinian state along the 1967 lines. The US – as well as other Western countries such as Italy and Germany, not to mention Israel – would rightly like to see the Palestinians scrap their unilateral push for statehood and replace it with serious dialogue with Israel that leads to a negotiated peace agreement acceptable to both sides. Unfortunately, it appears highly unlikely that Washington’s efforts will succeed.

The Egyptian connection
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post
by Uri Savir - (Opinion) September 9, 2011 - 12:00am

Anwar Sadat’s decision to visit Jerusalem in 1977 was one of the most courageous decisions in modern history. Despite public opinion in Egypt being hostile to Israel, and a hostile Arab world, Sadat traveled to Jerusalem, breaking a political sound barrier. Thirty-four years later, the peace that emanated from that historic journey is still alive. If we want to understand why peace came alive in 1979, and is still holding strong, we have to comprehend why Sadat came here in the first place.

A Palestinian September
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Dar Al-Hayat
by Husam Itani - (Opinion) September 9, 2011 - 12:00am

One of the biggest victims of the September 11, 2001 attacks was the second Palestinian uprising.

Palestine at the United Nations… The Long Path of Wisdom
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Dar Al-Hayat
by Raghida Dergham - (Opinion) September 9, 2011 - 12:00am

This month, New York will witness the first comprehensive international gathering since the astounding Arab Awakening in Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, Yemen and Syria, which started earlier this year and which has unsettled and embarrassed many a major power.

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