U.S.-Arab Relations | The American Task Force on Palestine

‘Irvine 11’ plead not guilty in Oren incident
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Jewish Telegraphic Agency (JTA)
by Marcy Oster - April 17, 2011 - 12:00am

Eleven Muslim students arrested for disrupting a speech by Israeli U.S. Ambassador Michael Oren at the University of California, Irvine pleaded not guilty to misdemeanor charges. The students were arraigned April 15 in Orange County Superior Court on charges of conspiracy to disturb a meeting and misdemeanor disturbance of a meeting.

Crossing thresholds for peace process
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Politico
by David Makovsky - (Opinion) April 15, 2011 - 12:00am

As the Obama administration grapples with the many implications of the Arab spring in the Mideast, the Israeli-Palestinian issue has been relegated to the sidelines. But history has shown that it does not stay dormant for long — as demonstrated in the latest uptick of violence. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton reflected this Tuesday in her a speech about Arab democratic reform. She suggested that Washington would soon be making a new push for peace.

Israel’s next step
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jordan Times
by George S. Hishmeh - (Opinion) April 15, 2011 - 12:00am

There has been much good news this week for the Arab world, thanks to the successful uprisings against autocratic regimes ushered in by the glorious Arab Spring and the uplifting responses that followed from various world spots. An “overwhelming majority”, or two thirds (65 per cent) of Americans, more Democrats than Republicans, believe that “greater democracy in the Middle East would be positive for the United States”. And in the long run, more than three-quarters (76 per cent) of Americans say democratisation would be mostly positive for the US.

America,s Arab comeback - except for Palestine
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jordan Times
by Daoud Kuttab - (Opinion) April 14, 2011 - 12:00am

The past few months have seen no anti-American demonstrations and no burning of US flags across the Arab world. Arabs seem increasingly willing to accept - and even applaud - the Obama administration’s policy towards the region. Of course, Arabs are still unhappy with the continued US bias in favour of Israel. Its inability to end the 44-year military occupation of Palestinian lands has not gone unnoticed. But many Arabs nowadays prefer to give the US a break.

Will the Arab Spring bring a peace agreement with Israel?
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Washington Post
(Editorial) April 14, 2011 - 12:00am

ONE OF THE MOST remarkable aspects of this year’s Arab uprising has been the absence of the Israeli-Palestinian issue from the agenda of protesters. It turns out that the rising generation of Arabs is preoccupied not with Palestinian statehood but with political freedom and economic opportunity in their own countries. It follows that for the United States and other Western democracies, the most critical challenge in the region in the coming years will be guiding Arab states toward liberal democracy and preventing the rise of new authoritarian or extremist Islamic regimes.

PA seeks US support for statehood
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews
by Elior Levy - April 14, 2011 - 12:00am

While Palestinian Authority is taking major steps to prepare for its impending declaration of an independent state, bitterness is evident among West Bank leaders at the US' reluctance to take a strong stance on the issue. The recent reports by the United Nations, the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund all indicate that the PA has established the necessary governmental institutions, and is ready to function independently.

US plans new push on Arab-Israeli peace
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Reuters
by Arshad Mohammed - April 13, 2011 - 12:00am

The United States plans a new push to promote comprehensive Arab-Israeli peace, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said on Tuesday, suggesting a stronger U.S. hand in trying to solve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. President Barack Obama will lay out U.S. policy toward the Middle East and North Africa in the coming weeks, Clinton told Arab and U.S. policy makers in a speech that placed particular emphasis on Israeli-Palestinian peace.

Palestinians urge U.S. to take clear positions on Mideast peace
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua
April 13, 2011 - 12:00am

The United States shout take clear attitudes when it resumes efforts that aim at reviving stalled peace talks between the Palestinians and Israel, a Palestinian official said Wednesday. America's position regarding Jewish settlement constructions in the occupied Palestinian territories should be more resolute, said Nabil Abu Rdineh, a spokesman for the Palestinian leadership.

The “Arab Spring” and the Palestinian Cause
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Dar Al-Hayat
by Raghida Dergham - April 8, 2011 - 12:00am

While the U.S. President Barack Obama may want to dedicate his time to domestic affairs, in order to secure a second term in the White House, he must prepare himself for foreign policy issues intruding into his reelection campaign, especially Middle Eastern issues. This is because the “Arab Spring” may soon be followed by summer, autumn and winter, before it becomes clear whether it will blossom in the manner envisaged by Tunisia’s Jasmine Revolution.

Video: Inside ATFP Gala 2013

Photo Gallery: ATFP Gala 2013

Recent News