Dear ATFP Friend,
With your support, this spring ATFP launched its most intense advocacy campaign ever to
pursue peace and American foreign policies that will promote a better
future in Palestine and throughout the Middle East. In recent weeks, we
have participated in over 22 public speaking events, 20 articles,
13 media interviews and mentions, and numerous on and off the record
interviews and meetings with decision- and opinion-makers from around
the world, among other major initiatives.
We rely on your help so that these efforts -- and a voice of reason, principled pragmatism, and enlightened self-interest -- can continue to have a real and effective champion in Washington, across our country and in the region.
In
an ideal world, this letter would be thanking you for supporting our
efforts that contributed to ending the occupation and the conflict, and
the realization of peace between the Palestinians and Israel. But,
obviously, there's a long way to go, and much more work to be done,
before that vital goal is accomplished. ATFP remains committed to our
mission, and is constantly looking for ways to move forward.
These are dynamic times at ATFP,
as we break ground in new directions while intensifying our ongoing
activities. Our new initiatives focus mainly on youth as a major part of
expanding the constituency for peace and Palestine.
Our new Youth Coordinator Tala Haikal published her first major commentary, in the Huffington Post, advocating more engagement by young people in the quest for peace. She is spearheading our efforts to reach out to students and other youth.
Interning at ATFP is special.
Our interns aren't just given clerical duties, but are closely involved
with all aspects of our activities. Over the years a clear pattern has
developed in which our interns, including Tala, have been so inspired
by, and successful in, their internships at ATFP that they have later joined us as full-time staff.
We work with our interns on developing major research projects and guiding them in writing and publishing their findings. Most of our interns now will leave ATFP with at least one significant publication added
to their CV. This is truly extraordinary for Washington internships,
and we are committed to ensuring our interns are afforded a unique
learning and contributing experience. Our current batch of talented interns (Amber,
Brendan, Colleen, and Zach) are helping us build a new generation
committed to promoting peace based on an end to the occupation.
In
recent weeks, ATFP staff have been reaching wider audiences than ever
around the country and the world through speaking engagements, media
appearances and a constant stream of commentary articles. Among the
highlights was a major ATFP panel discussion at the National Press Club in Washington on “The Status and Future of the Muslim Brotherhood,” broadcast live to C-SPAN's almost 50 million weekly viewers.
I was honored last month to once again address the annual United Nations International Meeting on
the Question of Palestine. Meanwhile, this spring Executive Director
Ghaith Al-Omari and Senior Fellow Hussein Ibish between them have spoken
at over 30 major public events, including campus lectures, conferences, high-profile debates and panel discussions.
In March and April, leading American and Arab journals published an unprecedented number of articles by, or quoting, ATFP staff including Foreign Affairs, Al-Hayat, the Daily Beast, Ha’aretz, Al-Arabiya, The National, Asharq Al-Awsat,
Now Media, etc. With the help of our current and former interns, and
your interaction, ATFP’s social media channels have been on fire. Click here to read a more detailed list of the whirlwind of ATFP advocacy efforts in this dynamic spring forward for the organization.
As
always, we welcome your feedback. We rely on your generous help, not
just in the form of financial and moral support, but also through sustained engagement and the real conversation we have been able to establish with many of you. Everyone is welcome to join in,
and our expanding outreach efforts are intended to expand this
conversation's breath and depth, and to reach more people with ATFP's
core message of peace in the American national interest.
Despite ATFP's genuine accomplishments and the intensification of our efforts this spring, clearly all of us who are committed to peace need to do more. The Task Force currently has the most able and cohesive team in its history. Over the past decade, we have developed an unprecedented degree of credibility. Our standing, and the quality and quantity of our contribution, are vastly disproportionate to our small staff and limited resources.
The Task Force has never been needed more, or better able to serve its noble causes, than it is today. But we need you to help us immediately with a generous and tax-deductible contribution.
Sincerely,
Ziad J. Asali, MD
President
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American Task Force on Palestine
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.. A Decade of Achievement: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions About ATFP
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ATFP categorically and unequivocally condemns all violence against civilians, no matter the
cause and who the victims or perpetrators may be.
American Task Force on Palestine (ATFP) congratulates
Arab America for bringing to us the talent of “Arab Idol”
Mohammed Assaf and Lebanese vocalist
Ziad Khoury.
Join ATFP in supporting the concert’s message of solidarity with the
Palestinian people and their steadfastness and perseverance.
ATFP is happy to be a sponsor of the event featuring the Palestinian
superstar, as he premieres his new CD. ATFP encourages everybody,
especially those in the Washington, DC area, to
buy tickets
and attend.The concert will take place on Sunday, May 11, 2014, at 5pm
at Waterford-Springfield Banquet Facility. We look forward to seeing you
there!
recent columns
Hussein Ibish
says the US Supreme Court must uphold the Constitution, international
law, and established US policy in its ruling on Jerusalem. (Now)
ATFP Pres. Ziad Asali says Arab men have to play a major role in the battle for women’s rights. (Huffington Post)
Please help sustain ATFP's work and independent decision-making by donating here.
