Peace Negotiations | The American Task Force on Palestine

Right-wing Israelis find little sympathy for Norway after tragedy
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The National
by Vita Bekker - July 26, 2011 - 12:00am

A few Israelis who shared their feelings on websites are expressing anything but sympathy for the killing of at least 76 mostly young people in Norway. Postings on Hebrew websites suggest Friday's attacks have reawakened hostility among some Israelis towards what they view as Norway's pro-Palestinian approach to the peace process. Such sentiments may have also been prompted by the fact that the confessed perpetrator in the attack appears to have espoused anti-Muslim sentiments and a pro-Zionist philosophy.

Security Council Debate Offers Preview of Palestinian Bid
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times
by Neil MacFarquhar - July 26, 2011 - 12:00am

UNITED NATIONS — A preview of the expected showdown over whether to admit a Palestinian state as a full member of the United Nations when world leaders gather here in September played out in the Security Council on Tuesday. Supporters evoked the Arab Spring, in which millions of people across the Middle East sought freedom from oppression, as a fitting backdrop for an endorsement of the Palestinian people’s release from 44 years of Israeli occupation.

Reading the Conflict - A Quiet Revolution: The First Palestinian Intifada and Nonviolent Resistance
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Americans For Peace Now
by Emily L. Hauser - (Opinion) July 26, 2011 - 12:00am

When the first intifada hit Israel with the shock of a tidal wave, I was living in Tel Aviv. Many of my male friends - including the young man with whom I was in love and living at the time - found themselves called to endless rounds of reserve duty to face off against stone-throwing youth.

Palestinian UN Vote No Longer A Certainty
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jewish Week
by Stewart Ain - July 26, 2011 - 12:00am

As the Palestinians prepare to unveil Thursday a draft of their resolution requesting United Nations’ recognition next month of an independent Palestinian state, many analysts believe such UN action is not inevitable.

ISRAEL: Benjamin Netanyahu's first interview on Arab network
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Los Angeles Times
by Batsheva Sobelman - July 21, 2011 - 12:00am

"Everything is on the table; we just need to get to the table," Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told Al Arabiya TV in an exclusive interview airing Thursday evening. According to advance excerpts from the 30-minute interview, the Israeli leader answered questions on a wide range of issues, including the peace process and regional regime changes. It was Netanyahu's first appearance on an Arab television outlet. Why now?...

Abbas: UN bid will not affect peace process
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency
July 21, 2011 - 12:00am

BARCELONA (AFP) -- Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas said his efforts to seek UN membership for the Palestinians would not affect negotiations "that we want to continue to have" with Israel. Abbas is in Spain as part of a foreign tour aimed at drumming up support for United Nations recognition of a Palestinian state amid a long stalemate in peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians.

Worldview: Can once-friendly Israel and Turkey mend frayed ties?
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Inquirer Digital
by Trudy Rubin - (Opinion) July 21, 2011 - 12:00am

As blood flows in Libya, Yemen, and Syria, and the region continues its meltdown, the only two Mideast democracies out there are Israel and Turkey. Ideally, these two would be working together, especially as Syria, which is sandwiched between them, shows signs of regime failure. Of course, the times are far from ideal. Israeli-Turkish relations, once close, are in the deep freeze; they nearly snapped last year after nine Turkish civilians were killed in an Israeli raid on the Mavi Marmara, an aid ship that tried to run Israel's blockade of Gaza.

Veteran Palestinian negotiator Erekat back after embarrassment of Al Jazeera revelations
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The National
by Hugh Naylor - July 19, 2011 - 12:00am

Saeb Erekat is back. Only a few months ago, the veteran Palestinian negotiator and, thanks to satellite television, a worldwide face of the Palestinian struggle, resigned in embarrassment after documents leaked to Al Jazeera by an apparently disgruntled employee in his office portrayed him in a less-than-flattering light.

Encountering Peace: What gives me hope
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post
by Gershon Baskin - (Opinion) July 19, 2011 - 12:00am

As a peace activist for more than 30 years, I am frequently interviewed. After getting through the political analysis of the moment, the subject inevitably turns to the personal. One question that repeats itself constantly is “how do you keep doing it?” It is a very good question, since peace seems to be so constantly moving further towards the distant horizon.

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