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

Christians’ letter is an unworthy tactic
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Jewish Telegraphic Agency (JTA)
by Noam E. Marans - (Opinion) October 21, 2012 - 12:00am

NEW YORK (JTA) -- Iran is threatening Israel, the Middle East and the world with the specter of nuclear weapons. Christians across the Middle East are persecuted and martyred in the repercussions of the so-called Arab Spring. But some American Christian leaders are busy dedicating time, money and resources to their habitual demonization of Israel.

Why I Refuse to Serve in the IDF
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Daily Beast
by Moriel Rothman - (Opinion) October 19, 2012 - 12:00am

American Jews actively supported the civil rights movement. Or so goes the popular narrative in the American Jewish community. For the purposes of this piece, let’s call it “The Narrative.” The values that come along with The Narrative are values that have guided me throughout my life: values of nonviolence, values of anti-racism, and values of disobeying unjust laws.

Obama’s bad for Israel? His record indicates otherwise
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Times of Israel
by Steven L. Spiegel - (Opinion) October 19, 2012 - 12:00am

President Obama has been criticized for being antagonistic to or wrong for Israel. Some go so far as to claim that he is the worst president for Israel in American history. Really?

Scholars say Jewish shift to GOP a long way off
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Associated Press
by Rachel Zoll - October 18, 2012 - 12:00am

NEW YORK —Like Chicago Cubs fans in spring, Jewish Republicans start every presidential election season hoping this will be their year: American Jews, who have voted overwhelmingly Democratic for decades, will start a significant shift to the political right. But scholars who study Jewish voting patterns say not this year. Or anytime soon, for that matter. Although recent studies have found potential for some movement toward the GOP, analysts say any revolution in the U.S. Jewish vote is a long way off.

American Troops Arrive in Israel for Defense Drill
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times
by Isabel Kershner - October 17, 2012 - 12:00am

JERUSALEM — The first of 1,000 United States troops have begun to arrive in Israel to take part in a joint missile-defense exercise, which the lead American planner described on Wednesday as the largest in the history of the two countries’ relationship and a testament to the strength of their military ties.

Neither "Best Friend" Nor "Anti-Israel"
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from ACCESS
by Gil Troy - (Opinion) October 17, 2012 - 12:00am

Washington Post editorial on October 16 matter of factly stated the obvious: that President Barack Obama “sought to publicly distance himself from Israel early in his term” and that Obama and Benjamin Netanyahu “have made a mess of their personal relationship.” Both of these statements are quite obvious even to many casual observers of the Middle East.

Ulterior motives
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Daily Star
(Editorial) October 17, 2012 - 12:00am

Palestine has once again faced vocal rejection of its statehood bid, this time in a statement from the United States declaring that such a move would set back the peace process. The U.S. has said the decision must include Israel, and has further warned European countries, in a private memo, not to support Palestine’s bid.

The Danger of Banning Anti-Zionist Protests
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Atlantic
by Wendy Kaminer - (Opinion) October 16, 2012 - 12:00am

Jewish Americans of my parents' generation endured open, outright, self-righteous discrimination in employment, education, and public accommodations -- discrimination that was not just respectable but legal until the passage of mid 20th century civil rights laws. They lived through World War II, witnessing the Holocaust not as history but in real time. Speaking from experience, they bequeathed to us one wry definition of an anti-Semite as "someone who hates Jews more than he should."

Israel's Netanyahu banks on tough guy image to win early elections
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Christian Science Monitor
by Christa Case Bryant - October 16, 2012 - 12:00am

Jerusalem Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has come charging out of the gate with his reelection campaign, fashioning himself as a tough leader who is unrivaled in his ability to keep Israel safe and prosperous at a crucial time.

Michael Bloomberg and Magen David's Anti-Arab Rabbi
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jewish Daily Forward
by Eshkol Nevo - (Opinion) October 15, 2012 - 12:00am

When one enters Jerusalem, two structures immediately catch the eye. The first is a digital sign informing the traveler when the next Sabbath begins and ends. The second is a building bearing a sign identifying it as the William H. Bloomberg MDA Jerusalem Station.

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