A prominent American think-tank that focuses on the Middle East has appointed a former Palestinian negotiator to its team.

Ghaith al-Omari, who until recently directed the American Task Force on Palestine, is joining the Washington Institute for Near East Policy as a senior fellow, the institute said in a statement.

The ATFP, the premier Palestinian advocate in the United States of a two-state solution, recently downsized, citing difficulties in fundraising.

Al-Omari worked with the Palestinian team during the 1999-2001 talks with Israel.

Established in 1985, the Washington Institute is known for its ties in the U.S. and Israeli governments and for hosting guest speakers from a broad range of Middle Eastern countries.

Dennis Ross, a top Middle East adviser to several U.S. presidents is among the institute’s leadership and Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon is a former institute fellow.