American Task Force on Palestine
A United States-based advocacy organization that promoted a negotiated end to the Israeli–Palestinian conflict and the establishment of a Palestinian state alongside Israel.
Last updated October 14, 2026
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Overview
The American Task Force on Palestine (ATFP) was a United States-based advocacy and policy organization founded in 2003 to argue that supporting a negotiated Israeli–Palestinian settlement was in the American national interest. Its stated objective was the creation of a viable Palestinian state alongside Israel through an end to occupation and a negotiated resolution of the conflict. The organization emerged as the successor to the American Committee on Jerusalem, which operated from 1995 to 2003 and had been led by Rashid Khalidi. ATFP operated primarily through public-policy advocacy, congressional testimony, educational publications, humanitarian initiatives, public events, and engagement with American and Middle Eastern political leaders. Its president, Ziad J. Asali, represented the organization in a number of high-profile diplomatic and policy settings. In November 2004, he joined the United States delegation attending the funeral of Palestinian Authority President Yasser Arafat. He later served as an official observer during the Palestinian presidential election in January 2005 and participated in monitoring the Palestinian legislative election in January 2006. Asali also testified before the United States House of Representatives in February 2005 on the future of the Middle East peace process, before the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the aftermath of the 2008–2009 Gaza war, and before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in March 2010. The group promoted the Geneva Accords in the United States in early 2004 and published policy materials designed to explain the conflict and advocate a two-state framework. In February 2006 it issued “Vision for the State of Palestine,” which was also published in the New York Times. Other publications included the 2006 volume Principles and Pragmatism: Key Documents from the American Task Force on Palestine, educational material titled “Palestine–Israel 101,” policy papers, and a 2009 book by senior fellow Hussein Ibish examining objections to the one-state agenda. ATFP’s stated position on Palestinian refugees sought to recognize the right of return while maintaining that any practical formula had to be compatible with a two-state settlement and the national character of both Israel and Palestine. Humanitarian work formed a second major area of activity. ATFP launched a Palestinian Humanitarian Fund appeal in May 2006 and began a medical program in the West Bank in January 2007. In June 2007, members of its board established American Charities for Palestine, a related 501(c)(3) organization focused mainly on health and education initiatives. In 2008, that organization entered into a memorandum of understanding with the United States Agency for International Development under which recipients of donations were vetted and approved in accordance with United States requirements. The arrangement was presented as a mechanism for improving donor confidence, legal compliance, accountability, and the delivery of assistance. From 2006 through 2013, ATFP held annual Washington galas honoring Palestinian Americans and featuring prominent speakers. The first gala, held in October 2006, included Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice as keynote speaker and addressed the prospects for Palestinian statehood. ATFP cancelled its 2014 gala, citing pessimism among supporters about the prospects for a two-state solution; the event had represented an important part of the organization’s fundraising. The organization was funded by its board and supporters rather than by governments or government agencies, and it stated that it published signed, audited financial statements online. ATFP faced criticism from Palestinian activists and organizations that regarded its advocacy of negotiations and the Palestinian Authority’s diplomatic approach as insufficiently focused on liberation, refugee rights, sovereignty, and self-determination. The organization responded to recurring criticism in a 2007 issue paper. Public information indicates that ATFP had not been active since 2016; its current legal or operational status is not otherwise established in the supplied sources.
History
The American Task Force on Palestine was established in 2003 as the successor to the American Committee on Jerusalem, a 1995–2003 organization previously led by Rashid Khalidi. ATFP’s central premise was that the United States had a national interest in helping end the Israeli–Palestinian conflict through the creation of a Palestinian state living alongside Israel. Rather than presenting itself as a commercial enterprise, it worked as a policy, advocacy, education, and humanitarian organization funded by its board and supporters. Its early activity included promoting the Geneva Accords in the United States in 2004. The organization’s president, Ziad J. Asali, subsequently took part in several diplomatic and electoral activities. He joined the U.S. delegation to Yasser Arafat’s funeral in November 2004, observed the Palestinian presidential election in January 2005, testified before a full House International Relations Committee hearing in February 2005, and participated in monitoring the Palestinian legislative election in January 2006. In February 2006, ATFP published its “Vision for the State of Palestine,” a statement of its preferred political direction that was also published in the New York Times. ATFP expanded its public profile through meetings, congressional testimony, publications, and events. In December 2006, a ten-member leadership delegation traveled to the region and met with Jordan’s King Abdullah II, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, and Israel’s acting prime minister Tzipi Livni. Asali later testified before a House Foreign Affairs subcommittee in February 2009 regarding the aftermath of the Gaza war and submitted a substantial written report. In March 2010, he addressed the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on the practical conditions and obstacles facing Middle East peace efforts. Beginning in 2006, ATFP held annual galas in Washington, D.C. These events honored prominent Palestinian Americans and featured senior political and public figures. The inaugural gala in October 2006 included Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Senator John E. Sununu, and Senator Carl Levin. The events continued through 2013, but the 2014 gala was cancelled amid declining confidence in the feasibility of a two-state agreement. The cancellation had financial significance for the organization because the gala reportedly represented a substantial share of its fundraising, although no current financial position is established here. Humanitarian assistance became another important strand of ATFP’s work. It launched the Palestinian Humanitarian Fund appeal in May 2006 and introduced a medical program in the West Bank in January 2007. In June 2007, members of the ATFP board created American Charities for Palestine, a related 501(c)(3) organization intended to channel secure donations to Palestinian health and education projects. In August 2008, American Charities for Palestine signed a memorandum of understanding with USAID providing for vetting and approval of recipients. The initiative emphasized compliance with U.S. law, donor accountability, and the connection between improved living conditions and the prospects for peace. The organization also produced educational and analytical material. Its 2006 volume Principles and Pragmatism collected key documents and positions. ATFP developed a “Palestine–Israel 101” presentation, produced a short video about Palestinian Americans, and issued policy papers on the conflict and peace negotiations. In 2009, senior fellow Hussein Ibish published What’s Wrong with the One-State Agenda? through ATFP, defending a negotiated end to occupation and a two-state framework against proposals for a single shared state. ATFP’s position on the Palestinian right of return attempted to reconcile recognition of refugee rights with the practical and political requirements of a two-state settlement. This position drew opposition from some Palestinian activists and refugee-community organizations. Critics argued that ATFP’s approach, its relationship with the Palestinian Authority, and its support for negotiations diluted demands for liberation, sovereignty, and self-determination. A 2005 statement signed by Palestinian organizations criticized public comments attributed to Asali, while a 2007 Electronic Intifada article called for boycotting institutions associated with the Palestinian Authority, including ATFP. The organization answered recurring criticisms in a 2007 issue paper. The supplied reference states that ATFP had not been active since 2016. It does not provide a formal dissolution announcement, successor structure, or confirmed current leadership, so the organization’s precise present legal status remains uncertain.
- 2016
Reportedly no longer active
[1]Reference material indicates that ATFP had not been active since 2016.
- 2014
Annual gala cancelled
[1]ATFP cancelled its annual gala amid supporter pessimism about the two-state solution.
- 2010
Senate Foreign Relations Committee testimony
[1]Ziad Asali addressed the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on conditions and challenges affecting Middle East peace efforts.
- 2009
Gaza-war aftermath testimony
[1]ATFP submitted a substantial report and participated in House testimony concerning the aftermath of the Gaza war.
- 2008
American Charities for Palestine signs USAID agreement
[1]The related charity entered a memorandum of understanding with USAID covering recipient vetting and legal compliance.
- 2007
West Bank medical program begins
[1]ATFP launched a humanitarian medical initiative in the West Bank.
- 2007
American Charities for Palestine established
[1]Members of ATFP’s board established the related American Charities for Palestine organization.
- 2006
Vision for the State of Palestine published
[1]ATFP issued its “Vision for the State of Palestine,” which was also published in the New York Times.
- 2006
First annual gala held
[1]ATFP held its first Washington gala, featuring Condoleezza Rice and other prominent speakers.
- 2005
Election observation and congressional testimony
[1]Ziad Asali observed the Palestinian presidential election and testified before the House International Relations Committee on the peace process.
Products and positioning
A U.S.-based, pro-Palestinian policy organization positioned around American engagement, negotiated two-state diplomacy, Palestinian state-building, humanitarian assistance, and education.
Policy document · 2006
Vision for the State of Palestine
A 2006 ATFP policy statement setting out the organization’s perspective on Palestinian statehood and a two-state resolution. It was intended as a concise articulation of the political framework ATFP advocated and was also published in the New York Times.
Educational presentation
Palestine–Israel 101
An ATFP educational slideshow explaining the history of the Israeli–Palestinian conflict and the organization’s assessment of possible routes toward peace. It functioned as public-outreach and briefing material rather than a commercial product.
Book and document collection · 2006
Principles and Pragmatism: Key Documents from the American Task Force on Palestine
A 2006 volume edited by board member Saliba Sarsar that collected and summarized ATFP’s principal documents, arguments, and policy positions up to that point.
Policy book · 2009
What’s Wrong with the One-State Agenda?
A 2009 book by senior fellow Hussein Ibish, published through ATFP, presenting a pro-Palestinian critique of a single-state framework and arguing for ending the occupation through a negotiated two-state settlement.
Humanitarian program · 2006
Palestinian Humanitarian Fund
An appeal launched in 2006 to support humanitarian assistance for Palestinians. The initiative was part of ATFP’s broader effort to connect immediate relief with the long-term development of a viable Palestinian society.
Humanitarian program · 2007
West Bank medical program
A medical assistance program launched in January 2007 to support health-related humanitarian work in the West Bank.
Controversies
2007
Activist criticism and boycott call
Palestinian commentator Osamah Khalil criticized ATFP’s relationship to the Palestinian Authority and called for a boycott of officials and institutions associated with that diplomatic approach. ATFP later addressed recurring criticisms in an issue paper.
2005
Criticism of ATFP positions on refugee rights
A statement signed by Palestinian refugee-community organizations criticized comments attributed to ATFP president Ziad Asali, alleging that they diminished Palestinian and Arab claims concerning the right of return, sovereignty, and self-determination.
Marketing campaigns
- 2007American Charities for Palestine health and education initiative
Palestinian territories · United States
A related charity created by ATFP board members developed a mechanism for directing donations to Palestinian health and education projects while applying donor safeguards and recipient screening.
Outcome. The related organization reported three initiatives after its USAID partnership, but the supplied material does not provide a complete current program assessment.
- 2006Annual Washington galas
United States
ATFP hosted annual autumn galas from 2006 through 2013 to honor notable Palestinian Americans, attract prominent speakers, and raise funds for the organization’s work.
Outcome. The galas became a recurring public and fundraising platform; the 2014 event was cancelled because of declining optimism about a two-state solution.
- 2006Palestinian Humanitarian Fund appeal
Palestinian territories
ATFP launched an appeal for humanitarian assistance to Palestinians, complementing its political advocacy with relief-oriented work.
- 2004Geneva Accords U.S. outreach
United States
ATFP helped promote and explain the Geneva Accords to American audiences as a possible framework for ending the Israeli–Palestinian conflict.
Outcome. The initiative raised the accords’ profile in the United States, but the supplied sources do not establish a negotiated settlement outcome.
Brand decisions
2014
Cancel the annual galaOtherBackground
ATFP reported that supporters had become pessimistic about the prospects for achieving a two-state solution.
Action taken
The organization cancelled its 2014 Washington annual gala after holding the event each autumn from 2006 through 2013.
Aftermath
The cancellation removed a major public and fundraising event; the supplied material states that galas had typically generated about half of ATFP’s fundraising, but does not establish the organization’s subsequent finances.
2007
Establish a related humanitarian charityStrategyBackground
ATFP sought to support Palestinian development while providing donors with greater safeguards and a practical route for health and education assistance.
Action taken
Members of the ATFP board established American Charities for Palestine as a related 501(c)(3) organization.
Aftermath
The related organization later entered a USAID memorandum of understanding concerning recipient vetting and reported charitable initiatives in the West Bank.
Recent events
- 2016
ATFP becomes inactive[1]
Other
The organization is reported to have ceased active operations by 2016; the supplied reference does not establish a formal dissolution date.
- 2014
ATFP cancels 2014 annual gala[1]
Campaign · Other
ATFP announced that it would not hold its annual gala because supporters had become pessimistic about the prospects for a two-state solution.
- 2004
ATFP promotes the Geneva Accords in the United States[1]
Campaign · Other
The organization helped publicize and promote the Geneva Accords as a framework for resolving the Israeli–Palestinian conflict.
- 2004
Ziad Asali participates in U.S. delegation to Yasser Arafat funeral[1]
Other
ATFP president Ziad Asali was included in the United States delegation attending the funeral of Palestinian Authority President Yasser Arafat.
Sources2 sources
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