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

U.S. extends $4 billion loan guarantees to Israel
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
by TheMarker - October 25, 2012 - 12:00am

The United States extended its $4 billion loan guarantees to Israel by another four years on Wednesday. U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Timothy Geithner and Doron Cohen, the director general of Israel's Finance Ministry, signed an agreement extending the loan program until 2016.

With Gaza Palestinian students in mind, a call for ‘daylight’
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Jewish Telegraphic Agency (JTA)
by Sari Bashi - (Opinion) October 24, 2012 - 12:00am

TEL AVIV (JTA) -- Like most viewers, I was surprised neither by the prominence of Israel in Monday's foreign policy presidential debate, nor by the jockeying of candidates Barack Obama and Mitt Romney to reassure voters of the absence of "daylight" between the positions of the American and Israeli governments. But a bit of daylight may be just what Israelis, Americans and Palestinians need most right now.

Heading toward an irreparable rift between U.S. Jews and Protestants
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
by Eric H. Yoffie - (Opinion) October 24, 2012 - 12:00am

There have always been ups and downs in the relations between mainline Protestants and American Jews, but they have now hit a 45-year low. And this time, they may not recover.

ZOA Cancels Annual Fundraising Dinner
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jewish Daily Forward
by Josh Nathan-Kazis - October 24, 2012 - 12:00am

The Zionist Organization of America has canceled its annual fundraising dinner because of the loss of its tax-exempt status, the organization has confirmed. The fundraiser, usually held in late November or early December, is a key annual event for the group. Recent galas have drawn such high-profile speakers as conservative talk show host Glenn Beck and Republican Rep. Eric Cantor, the House majority leader.

Romney, Obama pledge Israel backing, agree Iran strike last resort
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Reuters
by Tabassum Zakaria - October 23, 2012 - 12:00am

WASHINGTON, Oct 23 (Reuters) - U.S. President Barack Obama and Republican challenger Mitt Romney vied on Monday over who was Israel's strongest defender but both agreed that a military strike over Iran's nuclear program must be a "last resort." Tehran's nuclear program, which the West suspects is for developing weapons and that economic sanctions have so far failed to stop, is almost certain to be among the top foreign policy challenges facing the next president.

Among Americans in Israel, More Forceful Backing for Romney
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times
by Isabel Kershner - October 23, 2012 - 12:00am

JERUSALEM — Americans living in Israel went to the polls this week, dropping sealed envelopes into improvised ballot boxes at community centers in this city and at other locations around the country. Instead of a unifying experience, though, participating in the November presidential elections from afar seemed to accentuate the distance between the American Jewish voters here and those back in the United States.

Who Threw Israel Under the Bus?
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times
by Efraim Halevy - (Opinion) October 23, 2012 - 12:00am

ON Monday, in their final debate, Mitt Romney denounced President Obama for creating “tension” and “turmoil” with Israel and chided him for having “skipped Israel” during his travels in the Middle East. Throughout the campaign, Mr. Romney has repeatedly accused Mr. Obama of having “thrown allies like Israel under the bus.”

Who's the Bigger Friend of Israel — And Do Voters Really Care?
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Al-Monitor
by Shibley Telhami - (Opinion) October 23, 2012 - 12:00am

One of the striking aspects of the third presidential debate was the frequent mention of Israel (34 times). Western Europe and the challenges facing the European Union, or Mexico and Latin America hardly registered. It is as if the Israel issue is a burning one in American politics, or that the American public is dying to see which candidate supports Israel more. Neither is close to the truth.

The general from Jeddah must shout louder
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
by Akiva Eldar - (Opinion) October 22, 2012 - 12:00am

About a month ago, I participated in one of the many seminars on the Arab Spring taking place around the world. One of the outstanding speakers was a retired general from the Saudi Arabian army who now heads a research institute in Jeddah. The general went out of his way to praise the Arab Peace Initiative that had been the brainchild of Saudi King Abdullah more than a decade ago.

Romney’s big chance with Jewish voters
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Reuters
by Keith Koffler - (Opinion) October 22, 2012 - 12:00am

Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney at the Monday foreign policy debate, should play to the Jewish TV audience like he was the star of a Borscht Belt revue.

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