Peace Based on Two States | The American Task Force on Palestine

Israel: Recognition Of 'palestine' State By Costa Rica Sparks Diplomatic Row
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Adnkronosinternational
February 26, 2008 - 7:03pm

Following the establishment of diplomatic relations by Costa Rica with what it calls "The State of Palestine" on 5 February 2008, the Israeli authorities have decided to postpone a meeting between Costa Rican president Oscar Arias and Israel's deputy minister of foreign affairs Majalli Whbee. The meeting was due to take place on Wednesday. Agreement between Costa Rica and the Palestinian Authority was reached in early February by Palestinian observer to the United Nations, Riyad Mansour, and Costa Rica's ambassador to the UN, Jorge Urbina.

Israel Sees Progress In Peace Talks
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Al Jazeera English
February 25, 2008 - 7:29pm

Israeli and Palestinian negotiators have agreed to build teams of government experts in an effort to boost peace talks, according to an Israeli official. The teams will examine issues including security, trade and water use, Arye Mekel, Israel's foreign ministry spokesman, said on Sunday. bodyVariable350="Htmlphcontrol1_lblError";

Abbas: Peace In 2008 Or Never
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Associated Press
February 25, 2008 - 7:22pm

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas urged the US on Monday to make good on its promise to work for a Middle East peace settlement by the end of the year, warning that there would not be any future chances. Abbas spoke following a closed door meeting with Jordan's King Abdullah in the Jordanian capital of Amman and warned that if the Bush administration didn't make good on its pledge to "make 2008 the year to broker peace, then there will never be any future chances to achieve this goal."

U.s. To Announce New Aid Plan For West Bank, Gaza Strip
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
by Barak Ravid - February 22, 2008 - 5:48pm

The United States plans to announce tens of millions of dollars in new aid for the West Bank and Gaza next week to ease the humanitarian crisis in the Palestinian territories, U.S. officials said on Friday. The funds will be channeled through the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian refugees, which handles U.S. and other assistance for food, health, education and other areas, said U.S. officials, who declined to provide the exact figure as the official announcement will be made during a trip to the region next week.

The World Must Act On Palestine Now
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Gulf News
(Editorial) February 22, 2008 - 4:24pm

Palestinians have been living under Israeli occupation for over six decades. During that period, the geopolitical situation changed immensely. While some countries disintegrated, like the former USSR, others took the initiative and declared their independence. And they were recognised by their neighbouring states as well as the world's more powerful nations. If only it were that easy for Palestinians. This is what Fatah official Yasser Abed Rabbo suggested two days ago when he said his people ought to declare a state if peace talks with Israel did not succeed.

Arab Leaders Say The Two-state Proposal Is In Peril
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times
by Michael Slackman - February 22, 2008 - 4:08pm

Arab leaders will threaten to rescind their offer of full relations with Israel in exchange for a complete Israeli withdrawal from occupied lands unless Israel gives a positive response to their initiative, indicating the Arab states’ growing disillusionment with the prospects of a two-state solution for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Analysis: Threats Of Unilateral Independence Rocks Sleepy Peace Talks
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
by Avi Issacharoff - February 21, 2008 - 7:28pm

For a minute it seemed that the negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority, and the media focus surrounding it, were shaken awake. Following three sleepy months since the end of the Annapolis conference, and with nearly no diplomatic headlines, Yasser Abed Rabbo - the secretary general of the Palestine Liberation Organization central committee, and until recently a member of the negotiating team - managed to bring some drama to the process.

Economic Reform Key To Mideast Stability - Un
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jordan Times
by Linda Hindi - February 21, 2008 - 7:24pm

Delegates attending a UN conference yesterday stressed economic reform as the key for stability in the occupied territories and the basis for building a foundation for a viable two-state solution. But they added that sustainable growth cannot be achieved without a political settlement.

Pa Won't Follow Kosovo Model, All Agree
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post
February 21, 2008 - 7:23pm

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas quickly dismissed a top aide's call Wednesday for a unilateral declaration of statehood if negotiations with Israel fail. The Palestinians are committed to reaching a negotiated peace agreement this year, Abbas said in a statement. "If we are unable to do that... We will return to our Arab [brothers] to take the appropriate decision," he said. Earlier in the day, Abbas's aide, Yasser Abed-Rabbo, said he wanted to follow in the footsteps of Kosovo, which on Sunday declared independence from Serbia.

Correspondence: The Stakes In Gaza
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New Republic
by Nabil Fahmy - (Opinion) February 21, 2008 - 7:22pm

Crises in the Middle East have a tendency to exhibit a peculiar pattern. While they appear to be limited in scope, they almost invariably reveal a broader dimension, which is what makes such crises potentially so destabilizing. The situation created by Hamas' dramatic breach of the border between Egypt and Gaza, and the ensuing influx of Palestinians into Sinai, presents a clear example of this pattern.

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