Peace Negotiations | The American Task Force on Palestine

Abu Mazen wants a state, not the right of return
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
by Shaul Arieli - (Opinion) November 18, 2012 - 1:00am

On November 29, the Palestinian Authority will ask the United Nations General Assembly to recognize Palestine as a non-member state. That is on the assumption that pressure on the PA to delay until after the election in Israel does not bear fruit. Many of those close to PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas consider this step to be the last bullet in his revolver and the final chance of renewing the negotiations with Israel Apparently that explains the moderate text it is expected to contain.

PLO leader: Ceasefire talks underway in Cairo
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency
November 18, 2012 - 1:00am

BETHLEHEM (Ma'an) -- Negotiations in Cairo for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas have made progress, but a truce is unlikely in the coming days, PLO official Nabil Shaath said Sunday. Hamas chief Khalid Mashaal and his deputy Mousa Abu Marzouq updated Shaath on talks in Cairo between Palestinian factions and an Israeli delegate. Fatah leader and President Mahmoud Abbas is also in direct contact with Mashaal, Shaath said.

Middle East peace takes a beating
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Los Angeles Times
(Editorial) November 16, 2012 - 1:00am

After months of relative quiet — broken, in this country, only by the pandering of the presidential candidates — the century-old Palestinian-Israeli conflict has burst back into the news. It began last week when the Palestinian Authority revived its plan to seek an upgrade in the United Nations to "non-member observer status." On the face of it, that's hardly a game-changing power grab, and it seems unlikely to dramatically alter the regional balance of power.

The Peace Process Isn't Dead
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Foreign Policy
by Daniel Kurtzer - (Opinion) November 16, 2012 - 1:00am

In Jerusalem last week with my Princeton University students, I hailed a taxi one day from my hotel to the Israeli Foreign Ministry. The driver asked whether I would need him for the rest of the day. "If you can take me to Ramallah," I replied, "that would be great. Otherwise, no thanks."

From his West Bank Italian villa, Palestinian billionaire Munib al-Masri calls for peace
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Jewish Telegraphic Agency (JTA)
by Ben Sales - (Analysis) November 13, 2012 - 1:00am

NABLUS, West Bank (JTA) -- Dozens of photographs line the wall of a room on the first floor of Palestinian billionaire Munib al-Masri's West Bank villa, depicting a man of global influence but also of divergent impulses.

Obama in his Second Term: No Escaping the Middle East
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Al-Hayat
by George Semaan - (Opinion) November 13, 2012 - 1:00am

The United States cannot quit its responsibilities, regardless of the obstacles and the internal and objective difficulties getting in the way of the performance of its leading role around the world, knowing it does not wish to relinquish this position, which it has occupied since the end of the Cold War.

Separation from Palestinians crucial
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews
by Ami Ayalon - (Opinion) November 13, 2012 - 1:00am

Barack Obama's reelection will concern the Israeli public throughout the election campaign and will likely affect the political establishment as well over the next four years. The US elections are the elections of the American citizens, who have America's interests in mind. The American economy has its own problems, and the State of Israel is not a major factor in the US' economic policy.

Yes He Can Make Peace
Media Mention of ATFP In The Daily Beast - November 9, 2012 - 1:00am

The Palestinians and the Israelis will not give the newly re-elected President time to breathe. In November, Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas will request that the General Assembly recognize Palestine as a non-member state with observer status.

Erekat: UN bid aims to preserve two-state solution
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency
November 8, 2012 - 1:00am

JERICHO (Ma'an) -- Israel's settlement policy is threatening the two-state solution, not the PLO's bid to upgrade Palestine's status at the UN, PLO negotiator Saeb Erekat said Thursday. Erekat said Palestine's request for non-member statehood of the UN did not contradict the two-state solution, in separate meetings with Quartet envoy Tony Blair, US consul Michael Ratney and French consul Frédéric Desagneaux.

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