A campaign to talk up a two-state solution
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Washington Post
by Ghaith Al-Omari, David Makovsky - (Opinion) February 28, 2013 - 1:00am

The White House announcement that President Obama will not bring a peace initiative on his upcoming trip to Israel and the West Bank reinforces the sense that he sees the visit as an opportunity to reset ties with both the Israeli and Palestinian peoples at the start of his second term.

»

Why the Middle East Needs America
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The New York Times
by Allen Weiner - (Opinion) February 28, 2013 - 1:00am

Over the years, the contention that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict be solved only through “direct talks” has become almost a mantra, especially from the Israeli government and its allies. But direct talks between implacable foes, without active mediation, may be the worst possible way to try to settle the conflict. Facing one’s adversary directly across the table heightens psychological barriers even to a mutually beneficial deal.

»

Two Books Offer Dueling Peace Roadmaps as Obama Prepares for Trip to Middle East
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Jewish Daily Forward
by Nathan Guttman - (Opinion) February 27, 2013 - 1:00am

As President Obama prepares for his first presidential visit to Israel and the West Bank, he can choose from two books, both just out, to read on the plane ride over. Each is produced by veteran presidential advisors on the Middle East. But each offers a starkly different perspective.

»

How long will US President Barack Obama ignore Israel’s policy of oppression?
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Gulf News
by George S. Hishmeh - (Opinion) February 27, 2013 - 1:00am

It is shocking that most western nations, especially the US, have failed to respond with punitive measures against the right-wing regime of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu despite Israel’s continuous attacks on Palestinian freedoms.

»

Palestinian clashes set to persist until Obama visit
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Agence France Presse (AFP)
February 27, 2013 - 1:00am

Clashes that flared in the West Bank after a Palestinian died in Israeli custody are unlikely to turn into a third intifada, but each side will use them when US President Barack Obama visits, commentators say. After several days of unrest following the death of Arafat Jaradat at the weekend, a measure of calm returned to the West Bank on Tuesday, despite an early-morning rocket from Gaza.

»

The Tough Task of Middle East Peace
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The National Interest
by Shai Feldman - (Editorial) February 27, 2013 - 1:00am

 

»

Abbas to Palestinian Authority security officials: Don't get drawn into Israeli violence
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz
by Jack Khoury, Barak Ravid - February 26, 2013 - 1:00am

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas reportedly met Monday evening with Palestinian security chiefs in Ramallah and instructed them to enforce calm in the West Bank.

»

Kerry: Obama plans to 'listen', not present peace plan
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Reuters
February 26, 2013 - 1:00am

US President Barack Obama will not bring a peace plan for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict next month, but rather intends to listen, Secretary of State John Kerry said on Tuesday. Obama's plan to visit has raised speculation of a new US push to revive Israeli-Palestinian negotiations, stalled since 2010 in a dispute over Israeli settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank. But Kerry, speaking to German students during his first foreign trip as Washington's top diplomat, played down expectations.

»

Israelis plan to press Obama to free convicted spy
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Associated Press
by Aron Heller - February 26, 2013 - 1:00am

Israel's Nobel-laureate president, backed by thousands of followers, is leading an effort to press President Barack Obama during his upcoming visit to free convicted spy Jonathan Pollard, ending one of the most painful episodes between the two allies. Pollard was sentenced to life in prison in 1987 for passing classified material to Israel.

»

Israeli officials fear impending U.S. budget cuts to trim military aid
ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Xinhua
February 21, 2013 - 1:00am

Israeli officials are concerned that the United States' budget cuts due to begin on March 1 will reduce its military aid to the Jewish country, economic Globes reported on Wednesday. The report said the planned budget cuts will approximately chop 250 million U.S. dollars from the aid and will halt the U.S. assistance to Israel's missile programs.

»


American Task Force on Palestine - 1634 Eye St. NW, Suite 725, Washington DC 20006 - Telephone: 202-262-0017