ATFP needs our help!
Dear friend,
Over 175 Palestinians killed. Six Israelis killed. More than 1,500
Israeli strikes launched at Gaza. At least 1,400 Palestinian rockets
fired at Israel.
How and when will this madness end? The recent conflict between Israel and Palestinian militants in Gaza only underscores the founding principles of ATFP:
there is no military solution;
peace can only be based on two states, Israel and Palestine, living side-by-side in peace, security and dignity; and our own country, the United States, has a
vital national security interest in ending the conflict through a negotiated agreement.
Almost 10 years ago, in early 2003, ATFP was created to achieve a
number of objectives. We have striven to bring Palestinians and
Americans closer together in every possible way. We have successfully
mainstreamed the issue and the cause of Palestine in the American policy
making and framing conversation, and become an important voice in
Washington in advocating for peace and Palestine. Even though the
situation is grim,
it is more obvious than ever that only ATFP's approach offers a solution
for Palestinians, Israelis, their neighbors and our own country.
Otherwise, we will all remain trapped in an endless cycle of violence,
primarily at the expense of ordinary human beings such as the innocent
people of
Palestine and Israel.
As ATFP enters its second decade, our work is far from done. The upheavals in the Arab world have created
new challenges and opportunities.
The Palestinian issue can no longer be isolated, nor can the region be
stabilized or move forward without progress on resolving it. This past
year witnessed many setbacks and frustrations. Negotiations are at an
impasse. Palestinians, Israelis and Americans are drifting further apart
at a time when they need to move closer together to bring this conflict
to an end. The Palestinian institution-building program, which has been
giving Palestinians the security and effective, accountable governance
that they deserve, is being threatened by a lack of funds. The
Palestinian issue is
no longer near the top of US regional priorities. And finally came the
conflict in Gaza.
Hope for Palestinians and Israelis requires
reestablishing the virtuous dynamic that only the kinds of partnership
championed by ATFP can deliver.
These negative developments have emboldened extreme voices on all
sides. And these shrill, strident voices have little difficulty
garnering significant financial support by appealing to peoples' basest
instincts. There is a growing triumphalism from those who advocate
perpetual conflict. The more Americans of goodwill abandon hope and walk
away from the issue, the closer the voices of hatred are to dominating
the conversation. But
ATFP refuses to walk away.
We refuse to succumb to despair.
As a consequence, we have come under unprecedented attack by those who
would condemn Palestinians and Israelis to a future of conflict and
suffering. Nonetheless, we remain
committed to advocating partnership and compromise. We believe this is
the only way to advance the cause of peace and American interests and
values.
Despite numerous institutional and policy challenges, we have remained
active in Washington and beyond. We were instrumental, working with
several partners, in securing the
release of $200 million of last year’s US assistance to the PA and
we will continue these efforts. We have worked to bring Palestinians
and Israelis closer together in numerous public and private engagements.
In the past year, our staff has
addressed audiences in more than 65 cities across the country to counter the narrative of despair and nihilism with one of realistic hope. We published
scores of articles and made countless media appearances to advocate for peace and the
institution-building program we believe lays the necessary groundwork for a successful, independent Palestine. This is the
only viable win-win scenario for both peoples and for our own country.
ATFP has never been more badly needed than it is now. But ATFP has never needed your help more urgently than it does now. Please consider supporting ATFP by making a donation by clicking here.
The past year has been trying for the Task Force and our cause, but has
vindicated everything we stand for and all that we are trying to
achieve. We have proven, despite many doubts and critics, that it is
possible to successfully argue on behalf of peace at the highest policy
levels in Washington. We are convinced that crucial opportunities to
promote and protect the cause of peace will unfold in the coming months.
However,
when we say we rely on your generosity, this is literal and precise. We are committed to doing everything we can in this indispensable cause.
To maintain and pursue our independent policies and decision-making, we rely entirely on your support. We ask you, through your
generosity, to allow us to continue our work on behalf of peace, Palestine and the American national interest.
We are counting on you and your commitment to a better future! Please donate here
Sincerely yours,
Ziad J. Asali, MD, President;
Ghaith al-Omari, LLM, Executive Director;
Hussein Ibish, PhD, Senior Fellow
American Task Force on Palestine.
1634 Eye St
Suite 725
Washington, DC -20006
United States
- 202-887-0177 - info@atfp.net - The American Task Force on Palestine
 |
| A stamp from 1994, the first year of PNA stamps |
 |
| Arabian Horses |
