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.


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.


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/


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.


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”.


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.


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.


ATFP Welcomes the Appointment of Senator George Mitchell as Middle East Special Envoy
Press Release - Contact Information: Ghaith al-Omari - January 22, 2009 - 1:00am

ATFP welcomes the appointment of former Senator George Mitchell as Middle East Special Envoy, and views this appointment as a clear signal of President Obama's strong commitment to an early, energetic engagement in peace making in the Middle East.


ATFP Welcomes Reaffirmation of US Commitment to Palestinian Statehood by Secretary of State-designate Clinton
Press Release - Contact Information: Hussein Ibish - January 13, 2009 - 1:00am

Washington, DC, Jan. 13 -- The American Task Force on Palestine (ATFP) welcomed explicit and strongly worded support for peace in the Middle East based on the creation of a Palestinian state to live alongside Israel from Secretary of State-designate Clinton at her confirmation hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee today.  


ATFP Reiterates call for Ceasefire, Settlement Freeze at Major USIP Conference
Press Release - Contact Information: Hussein Ibish - January 8, 2009 - 1:00am

Washington, DC, Jan. 8 -- ATFP reiterated its calls for a ceasefire in Gaza and a settlement freeze in the occupied territories at a major United States Institute of Peace conference at the Washington Convention Center. ATFP President Dr. Ziad Asali spoke on a panel about "Reinvigorating Prospects for Arab-Israeli Peacemaking" with fellow panelists Ambassador Daniel Kurtzer and David Makovsky, director of The Washington Institute's Project on the Middle East Peace Process. The Honorable Samuel W. Lewis moderated the panel.



American Task Force on Palestine - 1634 Eye St. NW, Suite 725, Washington DC 20006 - Telephone: 202-262-0017