Palestinian Statehood | The American Task Force on Palestine

Q&A on Palestinian statehood at the UN
Media Mention of Hussein Ibish In The Guardian - September 16, 2011 - 12:00am

The Palestinians are set to appeal to the United Nations in September for recognition of statehood. Despite opposition from Israel and the United States, a UN vote now looks inevitable. The Guardian and the Forward have brought together two experts to take part in an online Q&A to answer your questions about what may prove a game-changing development in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Avoiding an Israeli-Palestinian 'Train Wreck'
Media Mention of Ziad Asali In Council On Foreign Relations - September 16, 2011 - 12:00am

Though Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas plans to seek Palestinian statehood status at the UN General Assembly meeting next week, efforts are underway by the United States, Israel, and the Palestinians to avoid a major collision on the issue, says Ziad J. Asali, president of the American Task Force on Palestine.

'Abbas working on deal with EU, US to avoid statehood bid'
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post
by Herb Keinon - (Analysis) September 16, 2011 - 12:00am

London based Arabic daily Al Hayat on Friday reported that Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas was meeting with European Union and American officials to try and come to an agreement that would avoid bringing Palestinian unilateral statehood before the United Nations General Assembly and Security Council next week. According to the report, of the 20 paragraphs in the proposal, four of them had been agreed upon at the time of publication.

Palestinian officials foresee secular, pluralistic state
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from USA Today
by Oren Dorell - (Analysis) September 16, 2011 - 12:00am

Palestinian leaders say a future Palestinian state would be secular and open to all religions — even Jews — if they are willing to follow their laws as Palestinian citizens. The Palestinians say they'll seek a vote on Palestinian statehood in the United Nations this month.

Palestinian bid at U.N. distracts from the real crisis
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from CNN
by Aaron David Miller - (Opinion) September 16, 2011 - 12:00am

(CNN) -- Rarely has so much time, energy and attention been devoted to an issue less consequential than this month's Palestinian bid for statehood at the U.N.—an episode characterized by hyperbole and muddled thinking on the part of just about everyone. The real crisis -- the one that is really worth worrying about -- is the improbability of a conflict-ending agreement between Israel and the Palestinians.

Avoiding Collision Course in Mideast
In Print by Ziad Asali - Council On Foreign Relations (Interview) - September 16, 2011 - 12:00am

Interviewer: Bernard Gwertzman, Consulting Editor CFR.org

Palestine at the United Nations: Sidestepped by both Friends and the World's Major Players
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Dar Al-Hayat
by Raghida Dergham - (Opinion) September 16, 2011 - 12:00am

No party is in an enviable position in the current battle over the Palestinian state at the United Nations. Everyone is embarrassed, and some even find themselves caught up in a costly dilemma.

Why Israel Should Vote for Palestinian Independence
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Foreign Affairs
by Isaac Herzog - (Opinion) September 16, 2011 - 12:00am

This coming week, the Palestinian Authority intends to ask the United Nations to vote for Palestinian statehood during the annual session of the General Assembly. The Palestinian bid represents Israel’s greatest political challenge in years. Although the United States has promised to veto the resolution in the Security Council, it is likely that more than 140 countries in the General Assembly will vote in favor and grant the Palestinians the status of non-member state in the UN.

Al-Malki, PA Officials Paint US Loser in Palestinian UN Gambit
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Media Line
by Felice Friedson - (Opinion) September 16, 2011 - 12:00am

Questions of procedure and outcome of the Palestinian UN gambit remain rife with only a week before Mahmoud ‘Abbas stands before the U.N. General Assembly on September 23 and, according to Minister Dr. Riad Al-Malki, “presents the official request for the state of Palestine to be granted full membership” to Secretary General Ban Ki-moon. Al-Malki said it had been decided to bring the issue of statehood to the Security Council, seemingly daring the US to cast its promised veto and face international isolation. Not certain is whether the U.S.

Ten Reasons for a European 'Yes'
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times
by Martti Ahtisaari, Javier Solana - (Opinion) September 16, 2011 - 12:00am

It is not often that Europe has the chance to play a pivotal role on the world stage. But as the Palestinians push for recognition as a state at the United Nations later this month, the European Union is finding itself courted by each side, and therefore more influential on the Middle East process than at any time since the Oslo Accords. As ever, the biggest challenge facing the E.U.’s 27 member states is presenting a unified front. There are 10 compelling reasons for them to coalesce around a “yes” vote and keep the two-state approach to Middle East peace alive.

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