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

Israel intended no offense with ad campaign
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Jewish Telegraphic Agency (JTA)
by Danny Danon - (Opinion) December 14, 2011 - 1:00am

JERUSALEM (JTA) -- The State of Israel has always prided itself on being not only a home to its native citizens but a haven for Jews from across the globe. For years the Ministry of Immigration Absorption has successfully focused on attracting Jews from around the world to make aliyah and reconnect with their homeland. This past year alone, more than 19,000 Jewish people chose to leave their countries of residence to start life anew in the Jewish state.

Israel Misses Point With Ad Campaign
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jewish Daily Forward
by Liora Halperin - (Opinion) December 14, 2011 - 1:00am

The advertising campaign by Israel’s Ministry of Immigrant Absorption aimed at inspiring expatriate Israelis to return to Israel so offended American Jews that it eventually was canceled by Prime Minister Netanyahu himself.

New York charity abets Israeli settler violence
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Salon.com
by Jared Malsin - December 14, 2011 - 1:00am

On the June 18, 2007, a nonprofit organization called the Hebron Fund held a fundraiser on a cruise ship in the Hudson River to support Israel settlers’ occupation of a Palestinian house in the West Bank city of Hebron. Some 250 people paid a minimum of $65 each for the “Cruise ‘n’ Schmooze.” The proceeds went to support the settler who had taken the property from the Rajabi family, who denied the settlers’ claims that they had legally purchased the home.

Encountering Peace: Half-way there
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post
by Gershon Baskin - (Opinion) December 13, 2011 - 1:00am

‘I am very pessimistic on the future of Israel. The trends in general mood in Israel, US, worldwide are towards polarization, conflict and pessimism, and all is made worse by the worsening worldwide financial problems which I expect to end in a depression pretty much everywhere. I don’t expect Israel to avoid war with considerable casualties and damage.”

Netanyahu's biggest test
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Ynetnews
by Sallai Meridor - (Opinion) December 13, 2011 - 1:00am

During my service as the Israeli ambassador to the United States I often leaned on Israeli democracy, our freedom of speech and equality among the sexes to promote Israel's status. The congressmen who opened their doors and their hearts to me did so because they believed they were meeting with someone representing the only democracy in the Middle East. Their constituents, Americans who are currently facing rising unemployment and both a national and a private recession, continue to support the US' alignment with Israel – even when they are the only ones in the world to do so.

Newt, Mitt, Bibi and Vladimir
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times
by Thomas L. Friedman - (Opinion) December 13, 2011 - 1:00am

I have a simple motto when it comes to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. I love both Israelis and Palestinians, but God save me from some of their American friends — those who want to love them to death, literally. That thought came to mind last week when Newt Gingrich took the Republican competition to grovel for Jewish votes — by outloving Israel — to a new low by suggesting that the Palestinians are an “invented” people and not a real nation entitled to a state.

US expects direct Israeli-Palestinian talks
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jerusalem Post
by Herb Keinon - December 8, 2011 - 1:00am

Both the US and the Quartet expect Israelis and Palestinians to meet in direct talks and exchange comprehensive proposals there on the issue of security and territory, US Ambassador Dan Shapiro said Thursday. Shapiro, at a press conference in Tel Aviv, said that this position has been made clear to both sides. His comments are significant because the Palestinians have said in recent days that while they have presented the Quartet with comprehensive proposals, Israel has refused to do so - casting Israel in the role of peace obstructor.

US criticism will only benefit Israel
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Arab News
by Linda Heard - (Opinion) December 6, 2011 - 1:00am

It appears that the Obama administration is playing “good cop, bad cop” with the Israeli leadership. While the President Barack Obama goes out of his way to prostrate himself before the powerful pro-Israel lobby in the run-up to next January's election, his minions are sending a different message — a message Obama has no doubt blessed behind the scenes. Publicly, the president is muffled.

Come Home to Israel
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times
by Roger Cohen - (Opinion) December 5, 2011 - 1:00am

When Israeli actions seem arrogant or insulting, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is capable of rapid action to repair the damage — provided those offended are American Jews. That is the lesson of the brouhaha over a now-aborted Israeli advertising campaign intended to shame Israeli expatriates in the United States into returning home by suggesting that America is no place for real Jews and that Diaspora life leads to loss of Jewish identity. The Jewish Federations of North America called the ads “outrageous and insulting.”

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