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

In Israel, Romney wows crowds but puzzles with grasp of Palestinian relationship
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Washington Post
by Scott Wilson - July 30, 2012 - 12:00am

Touring U.S. allies this week in his first foreign trip as the likely Republican presidential nominee, Mitt Romney often appeared to be visiting just another set of swing states, pleasing audiences with parochial promises, puzzling others with off-the-cuff remarks, and raising loads and loads of money. Only the trip was designed to be more than that for a campaign playing catch-up — a chance to show that a former governor light on foreign policy qualifications could represent the United States abroad. On that, the verdict is still out.

Romney: US, Israel differences embolden enemies
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Associated Press
July 30, 2012 - 12:00am

Mitt Romney says any public differences between the United States and Israel only embolden adversaries. The U.S. presidential candidate says it is a "basic truth" that the United States and Israel will always stand together. Without mentioning the tensions between President Barack Obama and Israel's leaders, Romney suggested in a Jerusalem speech Sunday that the diplomatic differences only encourage Israel's enemies.

Fayyad meets US presidential candidate Romney
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ma'an News Agency
July 30, 2012 - 12:00am

Palestinian Authority prime minister Salam Fayyad met with Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney on Sunday, PA spokesman Ghassan al-Khatib said. The former Massachusetts governor was in Jerusalem on the second leg of a trip to strengthen his foreign policy credentials in his race to unseat Obama. After talks with Israeli leaders, Romney met with Fayyad. He then visited the Western Wall, Judaism's most revered site.

Israel to deploy two new rocket interceptors in 2013
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua
July 30, 2012 - 12:00am

The Israel Air Force (IAF) is expected to deploy two additional Iron Dome missile-defense batteries early next year, The Jerusalem Post reported Sunday. The new batteries have reportedly been outfitted with upgraded software and radars that will enable interception at extended ranges, and will be operated by reservists, according to the report. The batteries will join the four currently at the disposal of the IAF, with additional systems scheduled for supply in the coming years.

Romney Versus the World Bank
In Print by Hussein Ibish - The Daily Beast (Opinion) - July 30, 2012 - 12:00am

Republican candidate Mitt Romney's visit to Israel was marked by a series of largely boilerplate comments about the special relationship between the United States and Israel. And, like Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, he almost entirely avoided the question of peace and the two-state solution, preferring to focus on the threat posed by Iran's nuclear weapons. In his speech in Jerusalem, the word “Palestinian” did not once cross his lips.

US sees Israel as spy threat
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Associated Press
July 30, 2012 - 12:00am

The CIA station chief opened the locked box containing the sensitive equipment he used from his home in Tel Aviv to communicate with CIA headquarters in Virginia, only to find that someone had tampered with it. He sent word to his superiors about the break-in. The incident, described by three former senior US intelligence officials, might have been dismissed as just another cloak-and-dagger incident in the world of international espionage, except that the same thing had happened to the previous station chief in Israel.

Mr. Romney Stumps in Israel
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times
(Editorial) July 30, 2012 - 12:00am

Mitt Romney made a point of insisting that he would adhere to an unwritten rule and often violated rule about candidates not criticizing each other or contradicting American foreign policy on foreign soil. About the only effort he made to keep that promise during his stop in Israel was to avoid mentioning President Obama by name.

Romney’s visit
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post
(Editorial) July 30, 2012 - 12:00am

There is no doubt that Mitt Romney is a great friend and supporter of Israel. During his short but significant visit to the country this week, the former Massachusetts governor said all the right things. He backed, inter alia, “any and all measures” to stop Iran from building nuclear weapons, Israel’s right to defend itself (adding “it is right for America to stand by you”) and its claim to Jerusalem as its capital – much to the chagrin of the Palestinians.

Romney Versus the World Bank
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Daily Beast
by Hussein Ibish - (Opinion) July 30, 2012 - 12:00am

Republican candidate Mitt Romney's visit to Israel was marked by a series of largely boilerplate comments about the special relationship between the United States and Israel. And, like Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, he almost entirely avoided the question of peace and the two-state solution, preferring to focus on the threat posed by Iran's nuclear weapons. In his speech in Jerusalem, the word “Palestinian” did not once cross his lips.

‘The Hand Of Providence’ And, Oh, The Occupation
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Daily Beast
by Bernard Avishai - (Opinion) July 30, 2012 - 12:00am

Dear Governor Romney: Today, in Jerusalem, you compared the Israeli economy to Palestine’s and suggested, by implication, that Palestinians lacked everything from a progressive culture to “the hand of Providence.” You and I were management consultants in Boston. Here are some facts:

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