Thursday, March 13, 2014

American Task Force on Palestine... A Decade of Achievement: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions About ATFP

A: ATFP recognizes that the right of return and all other refugee issues are among the agreed-upon final status issues to be determined between the parties in direct negotiations. There are many ways in which this issue can be resolved through negotiations depending on the agreement of the national representatives of the two peoples with the support of the public. Many of those involved in Palestinian and pro-Palestinian public issues find themselves accused by those who want to discredit them of having "given up" or "surrendered" the right of return for refugees. ATFP has no standing to "give up" the right of return, nor does it seek to do so, as is sometimes alleged by malevolent detractors. ATFP is not a negotiator or a party to the negotiations. ATFP will support any diplomatic agreement with Israel by the PLO, with the approval of the Palestinian people.
A complete guide to ATFP in 39 steps!
A Decade of Achievement: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions About ATFP
http://www.americantaskforce.org/faq_homepage
American Task Force on Palestine
A Decade of Achievement: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions About ATFP

 - Introduction
The founding mission of the American Task Force on Palestine (ATFP) was, and remains, to impact decision-making in Washington on the importance of a two-state solution to the American national interest. Having just completed its first decade of work advocating for peace and Palestine, and embarking on its second decade, ATFP is issuing the following detailed set of explanations of exactly what it is, what it does and why. They are also intended to highlight and explicate ATFP's accomplishments during its first decade, which have far exceeded its expectations at its founding 10 years ago.

The format of this informational overview, for convenience and clarity, is a set of answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs). While such questions range from the fundamental and profound to the ridiculous and outrageous, these answers -- both individually and as a whole -- are intended to explicate, clarify and illuminate ATFP's groundbreaking approach to pro-Palestine advocacy, which is primarily aimed at accessing and influencing the American policymaking and framing debates.

- The Basics about ATFP

- ATFP's Positions and Activities
Q: How does ATFP advocate for Palestine in Washington?
Q: If ATFP cannot get into the details of much of its impact on policy, what accomplishments can the organization point to?
Q: What is the purpose of the annual ATFP Gala?
Q: What is ATFP's position on violence?
Q: What is ATFP's position on refugee issues?

- ATFP and the Palestinian-American community
Q: Has ATFP done enough to communicate directly with the Palestinian-American and Arab-American communities?
Q: How does ATFP respond to criticism from within the Palestinian-American and Palestinian communities?
Q: What does ATFP advocate Palestinian Americans do?

- ATFP and the Palestine Liberation Organization and Palestinian Authority

- ATFP and Israel
Q: Why does ATFP speak with Jews, Israelis and Zionists?
Q: Do ATFP staff attend Israeli embassy functions?

- Misperceptions about ATFP
Q: ATFP is controversial and there seem to be misperceptions and false claims about it. What have informed people said about the Task Force?
Q: Is ATFP "a two-man operation" as is sometimes claimed?
Q: Does ATFP try to “sell” the opinions of the State Department to the Arab-American community?
Q: Doesn't ATFP sacrifice everything for access in Washington, but without enjoying any influence?
Q: Is ATFP a "Zionist group?"
Q: Is ATFP part of the "pro-Israel lobby?"
Q: Is ATFP a "Trojan horse" for radical Islamism or terrorism?
Q: Is ATFP out of touch with Palestinian sentiments?
Q: Why do some claim that ATFP was a Republican organization during the Bush administration, but switched to being a Democratic group during the Obama administration?
Q: How did ATFP President Ziad Asali gain access and influence in Washington?
Q: Why is ATFP President Ziad Asali sometimes a target of angry criticism?

- ATFP and you
Q: What can I do to help ATFP?

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