Mubarak, Abdullah, Abbas Discuss Peace Process
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews
by Roee Nahmias - April 3, 2008 - 5:33pm

  Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak held a meeting on Wednesday in Cairo, in which Jordan's King Abdullah II, and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas took part. The three discussed a number of issues, including the progress of the Israeli-Palestinian peace process and the outcomes of the recent Arab summit, which was concluded in Damascus on Sunday. 

»

Adrift In The Middle East
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times
(Editorial) April 3, 2008 - 5:17pm

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice’s latest trip to Israel and Jordan came at a time when anger and frustration among ordinary Israelis and Palestinians are building to dangerous levels. This was a moment for American leadership and direction. Unfortunately, the moment was once again allowed to slip away. Surely, Ms. Rice understands that Woody Allen’s “80 percent of success is showing up” does not apply to the deadly serious business of Middle East peacemaking.

»

Amid Israeli Siege, Palestinian Businesses Look East To China
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Reuters
April 2, 2008 - 6:28pm

Faced with Israeli trade and travel restrictions, a stagnant economy and a flood of cheap imports from Asia, Palestinian businessmen are increasingly seeking their fortunes in China. Demand for Chinese visas among Palestinian business owners in the West Bank is so high that the Chinese consul regularly visits the city of Hebron to stamp their passports and circumvent an Israeli ban that prevents them from traveling to the embassy in Tel Aviv.

»

Tiny Party Shows Large Clout On Settlements
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Washington Post
by Griff Witte - April 2, 2008 - 6:27pm

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice left Israel on Monday having failed to persuade leaders here to halt settlement construction on occupied Palestinian land. But the setback for Rice was a victory for Rabbi Ovadia Yossef, the spiritual leader of the ultra-Orthodox Shas party. Within hours of Rice's departure, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert was on the phone with Yossef to tell him that plans for building 800 new homes in the West Bank settlement of Betar Illit had been approved, according to two Shas officials, just as Shas had requested.

»

Remarks at the University of Jordan
Speech by Ziad Asali at University of Jordan - March 30, 2008 - 12:00am

The last few years have witnessed a significant development in US foreign policy regarding the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. In addition to the longstanding strategic US commitment to Israel, the creation of a Palestinian state has now become a constant in the definition of US interests in the Middle East. While previous Administrations have embarked on peace making since the early 90’s, it was only recently recognized that a Palestinian state is not only desirable but necessary.

»

Abbas Gets Ticket To White House
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Associated Press
March 27, 2008 - 6:52pm

President Bush has invited Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas to the White House in an effort to give a kick to Mideast peace talks, the White House said Thursday. The plan, which envisions talks around the beginning of May, was revealed to reporters on Air Force One by National Security Council spokesman Gordon Johndroe, who was accompanying Bush on a flight to Dayton, Ohio.

»

Statement On Re-launching The Ministry Of Finance’s Website
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ministry Of Finance
by Salam Fayyad - March 27, 2008 - 6:48pm

It is my honor today to announce the re-launching of the Ministry of Finance website. I would also like to announce our commitment to post on this site monthly reports on our financial operations on the 15th of each month.

»

Olmert Pours Cold Water On Peace Process
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Daily Star
March 27, 2008 - 6:47pm

  Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said on Wednesday that he expected that only a framework of a peace deal could be reached with Palestinians by the end of the year, not an actual agreement. The Israeli premier also announced that Israel would continue construction in large settlement blocs in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.

»

Let A 'peace Contract' Precede An Actual Treaty
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post
by Avshalom Vilan - (Opinion) March 27, 2008 - 1:29pm

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert announced two weeks ago in the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee that Israel would continue to negotiate with PA President Mahmoud Abbas for peace in the West Bank on the one hand; while on the other hand, it would fight Hamas in Gaza as if there were no peace negotiations.

»

Olmert Threatens 'painful' Steps Against Hamas, Rules Out Truce
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
by Barak Ravid - March 27, 2008 - 1:23pm

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert vowed Wednesday that Israel would take 'painful' measures against Hamas, and ruled out any possibility of talks toward a cease-fire. "We are not talking to Hamas and we are not going to compromise with someone that is consistently shooting rockets on the heads of Israelis," Olmert told foreign journalists at a news conference, speaking in English. "We will deal with Hamas in other ways and these ways will be very painful."

»


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