American Task Force on Palestine

A Decade of Achievement: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions About ATFP

 - Introduction

The founding mission of the American Task Force on Palestine (ATFP) was, and remains, to impact decision-making in Washington on the importance of a two-state solution to the American national interest. Having just completed its first decade of work advocating for peace and Palestine, and embarking on its second decade, ATFP is issuing the following detailed set of explanations of exactly what it is, what it does and why. They are also intended to highlight and explicate ATFP's accomplishments during its first decade, which have far exceeded its expectations at its founding 10 years ago.

The format of this informational overview, for convenience and clarity, is a set of answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs). While such questions range from the fundamental and profound to the ridiculous and outrageous, these answers -- both individually and as a whole -- are intended to explicate, clarify and illuminate ATFP's groundbreaking approach to pro-Palestine advocacy, which is primarily aimed at accessing and influencing the American policymaking and framing debates.

Continue to Read FAQ introduction »    

- The Basics about ATFP

Q: What is ATFP?

Q: What is ATFP's mission?

Q: Who does ATFP speak for, or represent?

Q: Who is on ATFP's Board?

Q: How is ATFP funded?

Q: Is ATFP funded by the United States government in any way?

Q: Is ATFP a "lobby group?"

Q: What does ATFP stand for?

- ATFP's Positions and Activities

Q: How does ATFP advocate for Palestine in Washington?

Q: If ATFP cannot get into the details of much of its impact on policy, what accomplishments can the organization point to?

Q: What is the purpose of the annual ATFP Gala?

Q: What is ATFP's vision for the future for Palestine?

Q: What is ATFP's position on violence?

Q: What is ATFP's position regarding Jerusalem?

Q: What is ATFP's position on refugee issues?

Q: What is ATFP's position on "BDS?"

Q: What is ATFP's position on the "one-state solution?" 

- ATFP and the Palestinian-American community

Q: Has ATFP done enough to communicate directly with the Palestinian-American and Arab-American communities?

Q: How does ATFP respond to criticism from within the Palestinian-American and Palestinian communities?

Q: What does ATFP advocate Palestinian Americans do?

- ATFP and the Palestine Liberation Organization and Palestinian Authority

Q: Is ATFP an adjunct or advocacy group for the PA or the PLO in Washington?

Q: What is ATFP's Relationship with the PLO Mission in Washington?

Q: Did ATFP oppose the PLO UN initiatives?

- ATFP and Israel

Q: Why does ATFP speak with Jews, Israelis and Zionists?

Q: Does ATFP support "normalization" with Israel?

Q: Do ATFP staff attend Israeli embassy functions?

- Misperceptions about ATFP

Q: ATFP is controversial and there seem to be misperceptions and false claims about it. What have informed people said about the Task Force?

Q: Is ATFP "a two-man operation" as is sometimes claimed?

Q: Does ATFP try to “sell” the opinions of the State Department to the Arab-American community?

Q: Does ATFP sacrifice everything for access in Washington, but without enjoying any influence?

Q: Is ATFP a "Zionist group?"

Q: Is ATFP part of the "pro-Israel lobby?"

Q: Is ATFP a "Trojan horse" for radical Islamism or terrorism?

Q: Is ATFP out of touch with Palestinian sentiments?

Q: Why do some claim that ATFP was a Republican organization during the Bush administration, but switched to being a Democratic group during the Obama administration?

Q: How did ATFP President Ziad Asali gain access and influence in Washington?

Q: Why is ATFP President Ziad Asali sometimes a target of angry criticism?

- ATFP and you

Q: What can I do to help ATFP?

Download and read ATFP FAQs as PDF file