NEWS:

Israel is moving decisively to strengthen its hold on occupied East Jerusalem, including confiscated private Palestinian property. (Christian Science Monitor)

PM Netanyahu insists Israeli settlement construction in the occupied West Bank will continue in spite of peace efforts, but Israel must be intelligent about it. (Xinhua/Ha'aretz)

Netanyahu says Palestinians are posing "insurmountable preconditions" for peace negotiations. (AFP)

A new poll suggests 85% of Israelis oppose releasing Palestinian prisoners as part of peace efforts. (Jerusalem Post)

FM Judeh is visiting Jordanian prisoners held by Israel. (Jordan Times)

The PA says its fiscal crisis is only worsening. (Ma'an)

Jordan's King Abdallah reiterates his support for Palestinians and role as custodian of Jerusalem holy places. (Jordan Times)

A British report says Israel is selling weapons to many countries, including Arab and Muslim ones. (Ha'aretz)

A Palestinian worker is shot by an Israeli settler amid a wave of arrests. (Xinhua)

A new study shows Palestinian children are deeply traumatized when their homes are demolished by Israel. (Al Monitor)

With Israel increasingly surrounding itself with walls and fences, some worry about increased isolation. (Washington Post)

Israel signs a free trade agreement with Columbia. (Xinhua)

The President of Columbia also visits Pres. Abbas in Ramallah. (PNN)

An Israeli court indicts a man accused of killing a woman in occupied East Jerusalem. (Ma'an)

In a rare legal victory, Palestinian citizens of Israel regain confiscated land. (The National)

Hamas insists it has never "interfered with Egypt's security." (Ma'an)

Israel distributes 10,000 gas masks to Arab citizens. (YNet)

Israeli are no longer visiting a once popular resort in southern Sinai. (Times of Israel)

Israeli Amb. Oren praises US UN Amb. nominee Power as "caring deeply about Israel's security needs." (JTA)

South Africa's Jews and Muslims, once united against apartheid, are now split on Israel and the Palestinians. (The Forward)

Members of Congress and other politicians are again talking about stripping the presidential waiver from the Jerusalem Embassy Law. (Daily Beast/Open Zion)

COMMENTARY:

Leon Wieseltier says without a peace agreement with the Palestinians Israel won't long remain a Jewish state and that the universal abandonment of Salam Fayyad was "a historical scandal of the first magnitude.” (AP)

Swedish minister Gunilla Carlsson says Israeli and Palestinian leaders must take bold moves for peace immediately. (Ma'an)

Sefi Rachlevsky says Israel can expect a painful wake-up call on its unsustainable settlement policy. (Ha'aretz)

David Horovitz asks why Netanyahu has promoted Danny Danon and others he knows are outspoken opponents of Palestinian statehood. (Times of Israel)

J.J. Goldberg says Netanyahu is being outmaneuvered by colleagues to his right. (The Forward)

Carlo Strenger appeals to Abbas to help save the two-state solution. (Ha'aretz)

Benjamin Pogrund says if Israel were really interested in peace it would test Arab commitment to the API. (Ha'aretz)

Akiva Eldar says a peacekeeping force in the occupied Golan Heights is no substitute for actual piece. (Al Monitor)

Nathan Guttman says Israel is benefiting from the Syrian war as Hamas and Hezbollah suffers setbacks. (The Forward)

Gal Beckerman says Israel's continued obsession with the Mohammed al-Dura affair shows its unwillingness to confront its own dark side. (The Forward)

Shlomi Eldar says, by supporting Syrian rebels, Hamas is jeopardizing its weapons supply from Iran. (Al Monitor)

Peter Berkowitz says Israel's image isn't actually fraying in the United States. (The National Interest)

NEWS:

Official Israeli figures show another significant spike in settlement activity. (AP)

Palestinian officials accuse Israeli companies of forging property documents to facilitate settlement building. (Xinhua)

Israeli occupation authorities order the destruction of eight Palestinian properties in the flashpoint East Jerusalem neighborhood of Silwan. (Ma'an)

Palestinian officials say Pres. Abbas will meet Sec. Kerry early this week, but Kerry's trip may be postponed. (Ma'an/PNN)

Labour Party leader Yacimovich tells PM Netanyahu she'd be willing to join his coalition in support of serious peace efforts. (Jerusalem Post)

Senior Israeli officials disavow Deputy DM Danon's recent repudiation of a two-state solution. (Irish Times/YNet/Times of Israel)

Former FM Lieberman joins those claiming there has been a "de facto settlement freeze" in occupied East Jerusalem since the beginning of the year. (Ha'aretz/Jerusalem Post)

Jailed Fatah leader Marwan Barghouti says current US peace efforts are "unfair" because they are "biased towards Israel." (Xinhua)

Israeli and Palestinian leaders continue to blame each other for lack of progress on peace. (The National)

Israel bars Fatah official Jibril Rajoub from entering Israel. (Times of Israel)

A Knesset panel pushes forward with a controversial new, sweeping and very broad "anti-terror" law. (Xinhua)

Palestinian farmers near Israel's Gaza "buffer zone" face continuous dangers to both their lives and crops from occupation forces. (New York Times)

Israeli forces shoot and injure a Palestinian farmer in southern Gaza. (Ma'an)

Palestinians clash with Israeli settlers at "Joseph's tomb." (Ma'an)

Four Palestinians receive life in prison for the 2010 murder of an Israeli police officer. (Jerusalem Post)

The PA economy minister walks out of a BDS meeting, and security forces are accused of beating an activist who criticized him. (Jerusalem Post)

Palestinians in Hebron launch the first protest against the new government of PM Hamdallah. (Jerusalem Post)

The head of the Palestinian public employees union welcomes the PA cabinet reshuffle. (Ma'an)

Israel is trying to stay out of the Syrian war despite heavy fighting near the occupied Golan Heights. (Reuters)

The frontier between Syria and the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights is seen as increasingly unstable. (Xinhua)

Israel's military exports jumped by 20% in 2012. (Xinhua)

Israel is making cyber security recruitment and training a priority as early as 10th grade. (Christian Science Monitor)

Israel ranks low among countries in providing aid to poor nations. (Los Angeles Times)

Experts squabble over whether mass graves in Jaffa originate from the 1948 war or World War I. (Ha'aretz)

COMMENTARY:

J.J. Goldberg says Israeli security officials believe Netanyahu's policies are preventing serious negotiations with the Palestinians, and that the political and security establishments are deeply at odds over policy towards the Palestinians. (The Forward)

Khaled Abu Toameh says some Palestinian leaders are spreading extreme rhetoric that compromises peace with Israel. (Gatestone)

Ben Caspit says the US still believes Netanyahu is not the main obstacle to peace. (Al Monitor)

Nathan Jeffay says discrimination at an Israeli amusement park is just the tip of the iceberg, and discrimination against Arabs is rampant there. (The Forward)

Eitan Haber says Israel is losing American support as US interests in the Middle East are evolving. (YNet)

Amira Hass looks at Hamdallah's record in building An-Najah University. (Ha'aretz)

Yossi Sarid says the Jewish National Fund has outlived its usefulness. (Ha'aretz)

Romana Michelon looks at the prospects of a third intifada for EU policy. (FRIDE) 

Itamar Rabinovich says, from an Israeli point of view, that without significant US intervention the war in Syria is likely to become a regional one. (Hoover)

Amira Hass says Palestinian officials need to learn the media wants information, not familiar clichés. (Ha'aretz)

Barry Rubin calls Kerry's peace efforts "embarrassing." (Jerusalem Post)

Dani Dayan ardently defends Israel's settlement project. (The Guardian)

Uri Avnery calls the 1967 war "a Greek tragedy." (Jerusalem Post)

Michael Bar-Zohar calls 1967 "the war no one wanted." (Jerusalem Post)

Daniella Cheslow looks at the struggle over the West Bank village of Batir with its ancient terraces, now threatened by Israel's separation barrier. (Tablet)

NEWS:

Rami Hamdallah, a political newcomer, is sworn-in as new PA Prime Minister. (New York Times/AP/LA Times)

UNSG Ban welcomes Hamdallah's appointment. (UN)

Pres. Abbas appoints Shukri Bishara, a banker, as the new PA finance minister. (Bloomberg)

Abbas says he has received no indication from Hamas about possible elections. (Ma'an)

Israel's deputy defense minister vows this government would block any two-state solution. (Times of Israel)

Sec. Kerry will return to the Middle East next week for further peace efforts. (Reuters)

The EU says settlements are leading to Israel's further international isolation. (JTA)

Israel says it hopes to reengage with the UNHRC. (Jerusalem Post)

As fighting in Syria rages near the occupied Golan Heights, Israel considers its options. (New York Times/AP)

Israel is rushing to complete its latest large barrier, this time along the lines between Syria and the occupied Golan Heights. (Washington Post)

Israel establishes a military unit to document IDF activities. (Xinhua)

The Israeli military says Palestinian militants are increasing efforts to abduct Israelis. (JTA)

Israel claims Gaza militants are building underground rocket launch tunnels. (YNet)

The UN says it plans to aid Palestinian victims of Israeli settler violence. (Ha'aretz)

Israeli forces detain two Palestinian fishermen off the coast of Gaza. (Ma'an)

The International Labour Organization says Palestinian economic growth will remain frozen if Israeli restrictions stay in place. (PNN)

The Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS) issues surveys on existing building and quality of industrial production in Palestine. (PNN)

Some Jewish-American groups seem lukewarm on Pres. Obama's appointment of Samantha Power as UN ambassador, but are not as hostile as some predicted. (Jerusalem Post)

Power wins key Jewish-American support. (The Forward)

Gaza merchants claim a honey mixture treats erectile dysfunction, male infertility and other ailments. (Al Monitor)

Five church schools in Gaza face closure after Hamas' enforced educational gender segregation and ban on coeducational institutions. (Catholic Herald)

COMMENTARY:

Diana Atallah says Palestinians don't expect much from their new prime minister. (The Media Line)

Eric Yoffie says Jewish Americans must heed Kerry's appeal and pressure PM Netanyahu on peace. (Ha'aretz)

Ron Kampeas says new national security advisor Rice will be dealing a great deal with Israeli-related issues. (JTA)

Ilene Prusher says Israel's "Absentee Property Law" is immoral and an obstacle to peace. (Ha'aretz)

Gideon Levyand Alex Levac look at the plight of a Bethlehem man living under Israeli occupation. (Ha'aretz)

Leonard Fein says it's good that UN ambassador nominee Power has been a strong human rights advocate, even if that makes some supporters of Israel nervous. (The Forward)

Shlomi Eldar says Israel's experiences in Gaza since 1967 should teach it some humility. (Al Monitor)

NEWS:

Hamas' military wing denies Arab press reports it endorsed continued strong ties to Iran and Hezbollah. (Times of Israel)

Israel is planning to build a new road in the occupied West Bank connected to thesensitive E1 project. (AFP/Ha'aretz)

An Israeli newspaper reports that the EU has told Israel if settlement construction continues, they may support Palestinian international legal efforts against it. (PNN)

The European Council of Ministers urges Israel to halt settlement construction and make gestures towards the Palestinians. (Jerusalem Post)

PM Netanyahu's cool response to the reiterated and improved Arab Peace Initiative raises doubts about his enthusiasm for an agreement. (AP)

Netanyahu calls on Pres. Abbas to "give peace a chance," and insists he is paying attention to the Arab Peace Initiative.  (Xinhua/Bloomberg)

The PA asks Israel to release 120 Palestinian prisoners as a goodwill gesture. (Jerusalem Post)

Pres. Obama's nomination of Samantha Power for UN ambassador stirs controversy in Israel. (New York Times/YNet)

Palestinians mark the 46th anniversary of the 1967 war. (Xinhua)

As all his predecessors have always done, Obama again extends the presidential waiver on the proposed US Jerusalem Embassy to Israel. (Jerusalem Post)

Abbas reiterates there can be no peace agreement without Jerusalem serving as the Palestinian capital. (Jerusalem Post)

As the global demand for drones increases, Israel leads the market. (AP)

Israel seals off an area adjacent to the DMZ between Syria and the occupied Golan Heights as heavy fighting rages nearby. (Xinhua/Ha'aretz/Reuters)

Israeli occupation forces detain a prisoner's rights advocate in Nablus and a Hamas activist in Ramallah. (Ma'an)

Outgoing PM Fayyad signs an agreement with the Palestinian doctors' union. (Ma'an)

Many Gaza factions denounce the appointment of PM-designate Hamdallah. (Al Monitor)

Israel claims international labeling of settlement products would hurt the Palestinian economy. (Al Monitor)

Israel and the Vatican seem set to sign an agreement on several contentious properties. (Times of Israel)

A former US attorney is moving to the West Bank to help promote the rule of law in the Palestinian justice system. (Times of Israel)

COMMENTARY:

Haggai Matar says all Israelis are responsible for, and profit from, the occupation. (Ha'aretz)

Trudy Rubin says former PM Olmert's plan for peace is the most realistic. (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Carlo Strenger says a key to Sec. Kerry's success could be getting Arab states to promote, and Israelis to understand, the Arab Peace Initiative. (Ha'aretz)

Elisheva Goldberg says it is Netanyahu who won't "give peace a chance." (Daily Beast/Open Zion)

Gershon Baskin agrees with Kerry that the window of opportunity for peace is short. (Jerusalem Post)

Aaron David Miller says Obama probably won't succeed in solving any long-standing conflicts, including the Israeli-Palestinian one. (Foreign Policy)

Chemi Shalev says Jewish-American groups will welcome the Susan Rice appointment but question that of Power. (Ha'aretz)

Alan Dershowitz thinks Power will be a fine UN ambassador. (Jerusalem Post)

The Jerusalem Post thinks the US should not have welcomed the appointment of Hamdallah. (Jerusalem Post)

Ha'aretz says it's outrageous Israel is increasing military funding to an NGO that promotes settlement of occupied East Jerusalem. (Ha'aretz)

Abra Cohen samples Palestinian culinary delights in the occupied West Bank. (The Forward)

Asmaa al-Ghoul says Hamas is continuing to experience a sharp decline in its relations with Hezbollah over Syria. (Al Monitor)

NEWS:

Palestinian PM-designate Hamdallah says he hopes to form a government in a week or so. (Reuters)

Israeli officials accuse Palestinians of being unwilling to resume negotiations. (AP)

Pres. Abbas says Palestinians want to return to talks "as soon as possible," and other Palestinian officials say they are "exerting every possible effort" to make that happen. (Ma'an)

Palestinian officials reportedly say Abbas has warned Sec. Kerry he will effectively dismantle the PA if peace talks are not successfully resumed. (Jerusalem Post/The Guardian)

Palestinians are calling attention to the issue of the strategic fort of Latrun, occupied by Israel in 1967. (New York Times)

Israel's AG asserts in court that the "Absentee Property Law" applies in occupied East Jerusalem and Palestinian property there can thereby be "lawfully" seized from its owners by the state. (Ha'aretz)

A new poll suggests 72% of Jewish Israelis see Jerusalem as a divided city, but 74% refuse any notion of a Palestinian capital in any part of it. (Jerusalem Post)

Israeli settlers complain to Israel's housing minister about what they assert is a "de facto settlement freeze." (Jerusalem Post)

Palestinian prisoners say Israel should formally recognize them as prisoners of war. (Xinhua)

A delegation of Jordanian Islamists visits Gaza. (Ma'an)

The EU contributes €19 million to help pay Palestinian public sector employees' May salaries. (PNN)

Reem Omran, a young high-tech entrepreneur, is trying to promote IT business and education in Gaza. (Christian Science Monitor)

Gaza youths are increasingly trying to flee harsh conditions by crossing into Israel. (Al Monitor)

The rebuilding of the Nahr al-Bared refugee camp in Lebanon comes to standstill over funding shortfalls. (Daily Star)

COMMENTARY:

Thomas Friedman says regional instability makes peace with the Palestinians more, not less, important for Israel. (New York Times)

David Makovsky says Hamdallah's appointment is a victory for Fatah as a party in power. (WINEP)

Jonathan Schanzer says Hamdallah was chosen precisely because he is inexperienced and a political novice. (Foreign Policy)

Shlomi Eldar says Hamdallah's appointment might be aimed at drawing in more European involvement. (Al Monitor)

Amira Hass says the Ramallah leadership's most basic policies are unlikely to change under Hamdallah. (Ha'aretz)

Yitzhak Laor says, in order to succeed as a nation, Israel must end the occupation. (Ha'aretz)

The Jerusalem Post strongly implies Israel should retain control of all of Jerusalem. (Jerusalem Post)

Ron Kampeas says that while Kerry is appealing to both sides for progress, AIPAC puts all the onus on the Palestinians. (JTA)

Zvi Bar'el says lots of countries face major threats, but none of them talk about them as much as Israel does. (Ha'aretz)

Sarah Wildman says planned building in two Israeli settlements in occupied East Jerusalem could signal a flood of new settlement activity soon. (The New Yorker)

NEWS:

New PA PM Hamdallah is primarily known for expanding the University he headed, and for his career as a scholar . (Bloomberg/New York Times/WAFA)

His new government faces many challenges, and he is widely seen as a caretaker figure. (Xinhua/BBC/Washington Post)

Many experts wonder if Hamdallah can really fill the shoes left by former PM Fayyad. (Christian Science Monitor/Wall Street Journal/The Media Line)

Hamdallah says he will prioritize Palestinian reconciliation, but many Palestinians see little hope of that and express disappointment, apathy and skepticism. (Al Arabiya/Gulf News/Ha'aretz)

In remarks to the American Jewish Committee, Sec. Kerry says the coming days will be crucial in the prospects for Israeli-Palestinian peace. (State Department/Ha'aretz/AP/Reuters)

Palestinians say the failure of Kerry's mission is "not an option" for them. (Ma'an)

Kerry may soon return to the Middle East for more peace efforts. (Reuters/Jerusalem Post)

Palestinians are asking an Israeli court to order the evacuation of the "Ulpana" settlement which is built on private Palestinian property. (Jerusalem Post)

Israeli occupation forces say they have foiled a "terror plot" by Hamas, and arrested eight Palestinians, in the occupied West Bank. (Xinhua/Ma'an)

The PA arrests a Bethlehem journalist on charges of spreading sectarian hatred and false information. (Ma'an)

A US government website publicizes classified information detailing the location, design and specifications of a launch site for Israel’s new Arrow 3 anti-ballistic missile system. (Times of Israel)

Hamas leaders reportedly confirm Iran has cut funding to the group in retaliation for differences over Syria. (The Daily Telegraph)

COMMENTARY:

ATFP issues a statement wishing Hamdallah success in meeting the PA's challenges and in performing the duties of his office. (ATFP)

Yossi Alpher says Hamdallah's appointment is a typical stopgap measure by Pres. Abbas. (APN)

AFP says Hamdallah may try to follow in  former PM Fayyad's footsteps, but could find that very difficult. (AFP)

Ibrahim Sharqiehsays Hamdallah's appointment represents a new opportunity for progress, but if the US and Israel treat him as they did Fayyad, it will be squandered. (Al Arabiya)

Khaled Abu Toameh says Hamdallah will probably prove merely a "yes man for Fatah." (Jerusalem Post)

Amos Harel says Fayyad was the only Mideast politician truly admired by IDF officials. (Ha'aretz)

Chemi Shalev says Kerry and Pres. Obama are contradicting the cliché that the US can't want peace more than the parties. (Ha'aretz)

Natan Sachs says Kerry's peace efforts lack Israeli and Palestinian buy-in. (Ha'aretz)

Jonathan Cook says Kerry's plan sets the Palestinians up for failure. (The National)

Akiva Eldar says the Palestinian leadership is more interested in establishing borders than in Kerry's proposed $4 billion economic stimulus. (Al Monitor)

Amnon Beeri-Sulitzeanu says Israel's Bedouin community is invisible when it comes to public services, but demonized as a public danger. (Ha'aretz)

Linah Alsaafin says Israeli settlers are intensifying violence against Palestinians. (Al Monitor)

Akram Atallah says Hamas is persisting in its aggressive efforts to "Islamize" Gaza. (Al-Ayyam)

NEWS:

Pres. Abbas appoints Rami Hamdallah, president of An-Najah University, as thenew PA Prime Minister. (New York Times/AP/LA Times)

The US welcomes the appointment. (PNN)

PM Hamdallah says most serving ministers will retain their posts in the cabinet. (Xinhua)

Hamas denounces the new PA government as "illegal." (Xinhua)

Sec. Kerry will reportedly visit Amman "within days" for further peace talks. (AFP)

American officials say Kerry and the US will drop peace initiatives if Israelis and Palestinians prove not to be serious about them. (Ha'aretz)

Germany may soon join other European countries in labeling all Israeli settlement products. (The Media Line)

Egypt says it will increase the number of Palestinians allowed to cross from Gaza from 800 to 1,100 per day. (Ma'an)

The PA says 2,000 Palestinians are in prison in Syria. (Ma'an)

Israeli authorities say they're planning to demolish two Palestinian homes in the flashpoint Silwan neighborhood of occupied East Jerusalem. (Ma'an)

A Palestinian citizen of Israel is reportedly charged with handing information to Hezbollah. (Xinhua)

Israel has reached an agreement with an unidentified country to transfer thousands of African migrants. (AP)

Israel ranks number 10 in countries with the most millionaires. (Xinhua)

Israel now reportedly has an arsenal of at least 80 nuclear warheads. (Times of Israel)

Egypt deploys more military forces in Sinai in coordination with Israel. (Times of Israel)

Enthusiasm for Mohammed Assaf, widely expected to win this year's "Arab Idol" TV singing contest, continues to grow. (Christian Science Monitor)

COMMENTARY:

Barak Ravid calls PM Hamdallah "a good man on a suicide mission." (Ha'aretz)

The CSM says cooperation between Israeli and Palestinian businesspeople could be a breakthrough towards peace. (Christian Science Monitor)

Hani al-Masri says economic initiatives will not solve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. (Al Monitor)

Amira Hass says the Jewish experience during the British mandate shows economies can be built under occupation, and the same can happen Palestinians if Israel lifts its restrictions. (Ha'aretz)

Ahmad Azem says Kerry's economic initiative ignores the need for Palestinian economic independence. (Al Monitor)

Hilik Bar says Israelis should stop saying there is "no Palestinian partner" for peace. (Jerusalem Post)

Ha'aretz says Israel must let Palestinian doctors work in Jerusalem hospitals. (Ha'aretz)

David Landau says Kerry's approach to peace is only strengthening hardliners on both sides. (Ha'aretz)

Ram Cohen says discriminatory policies at an Israeli amusement park are a reflection of the countries racist laws and policies. (YNet)

Lucy Aharish says segregation in Israel is endemic and racism is a major part of the national culture. (YNet)

Jeff Barak says the racism that is so deeply ingrained in Israeli culture is a major factor in what many believe is the demise of the two-state solution. (Jerusalem Post)

The Jerusalem Post says that because Israel is a "Jewish country" it can never have a complete separation between state and religion. (Jerusalem Post)

Adel Safty says Israel's bullying of its neighbors and abuse of Palestinians explains its international unpopularity. (Gulf News)

Ahmad Samih Khalidi says Israel and the Palestinians are looking at an open-ended struggle into the foreseeable future. (LSE)

NEWS:

Israel's Housing Ministry gives final approval for 300 new settler homes in occupied East Jerusalem. (AP)

US and Palestinian officials complain about Israeli settlement activity in occupied East Jerusalem. (AFP/Jerusalem Post)

EU foreign policy chief Ashton says Israeli settlement activity in occupied East Jerusalem is illegal and threatens the two-state solution. (PNN)

Palestinian and Israeli officials blame each other for stalling on new US peace initiatives. (Xinhua)

Israeli and Palestinian businessmen are trying to forge peace through economic cooperation. (The Economist)

The arrest of high-profile columnist Ibrahim Abrash calls attention to Hamas' repression of free speech in Gaza. (Al Monitor)

An Israeli park is accused of racism for holding separate days for Jewish and Arab visitors. (Xinhua)

Another Palestinian in Gaza dies from self immolation. (Xinhua)

Israeli police are investigating the desecration of a prominent Jerusalem church for the second time, apparently by Jewish hooligans. (AP/Ha'aretz)

Palestinian refugees in Lebanon burn aid donated by Hezbollah in protest against the group's involvement in the Syrian conflict. (Daily Star)

Pres. Assad warns Israel and says he has a stockpile of new Russian weapons. (New York Times)

Russia signs a new agreement to sell at least 10 MiG fighters to Syria. (AP)

Israel doubts Syria has taken possession of Russian S-300 missiles, which reportedly may not reach the country until 2014. (Ha'aretz)

Reports of Russian weapons sales to Syria have increased tensions with Israel. (The Media Line)

PM Netanyahu says he wants to make sure every Israeli has a gas mask. (Times of Israel)

The captain of theChilean Soccer Team “C.D. Palestino” visits the Aida Refugee Camp in the occupied West Bank. (PNN)

Roger Waters and Alice Walker urge Alicia Keys not to perform in Israel. (The Guardian)

A symphony dedicated to two Palestinians killed in the occupied West Bank gets its first performance in Palestine. (Expatica)

The UN says a plague of locusts is threatening crops on the Israeli-Egyptian border. (Bloomberg)

COMMENTARY:

Hassan Khader says militias like Hezbollah spell the downfall of failed Arab states. (Modern Discussion, translated by ATFP)

The PLO issues a fact sheet called "Six Questions for Resuming Negotiations." (PNN)

Uri Misgav says those who are spearheading the occupation and the settlements will destroy Zionism. (Ha'aretz)

Amos Harel doubts if Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank can actually be evacuated. (Ha'aretz)

Yossi Sarid says it doesn't matter if Pres. Peres is internationally respected when Israel in general is a pariah. (Ha'aretz)

Maysoon Zayid says gambling tycoon Sheldon Adelson is getting a free pass on bigotry. (Daily Beast/Open Zion)

David Weinberg says Israel should not consider any unilateral redeployments in the occupied West Bank. (Jerusalem Post)

Gillian Slovo describes attending a literary festival in the occupied West Bank. (The Guardian)

Ron Kampeas looks at the unlikely friendship between the Zionist Organization of America and Sen. Rand Paul. (JTA)

The Gulf News condemns Israel's demolition of Palestinian homes. (Gulf News)

Shlomi Eldar says by drawing red lines on Iran it cannot keep, Israel is harming its credibility and deterrence capability. (Al Monitor) 

Sam Jadallah says a proposed new American law would countenance Israeli discrimination against Arab and Muslim Americans. (San Jose Mercury News)

NEWS:

Palestinian officials say Pres. Abbas is torn between accepting US peace talk proposals and a public backlash for dropping a settlement freeze precondition. (YNet/Times of Israel)

Palestinian officials say Israel is "destroying" Sec. Kerry's peace efforts with new settlement activity. (Xinhua/Times of Israel)

Other Palestinian officials say Kerry's prospects are dim if Israel continues settlement expansion. (Jerusalem Post)

Israeli officials say Palestinian leaders are "inventing excuses" to avoid resuming peace talks. (Ha'aretz)

Palestinian girls are pioneering new methods of resisting occupation without resorting to throwing stones. (NPR)

Reports suggest Hezbollah urges Hamas members and officials to "leave Lebanon immediately." (Middle East Online)

Hamas calls on Egypt to renegotiate elements of the peace treaty with Israel. (Al Monitor)

Israeli forces arrest 13 Palestinians in raids throughout occupied East Jerusalem. (Ma'an)

Israeli forces destroy Bedouin homes in the Negev desert for the second time in two weeks. (Ma'an)

France 2 hits back at the Israeli government after a new official report on the Mohammed al-Dura affair. (Ha'aretz)

Abbas signs a new law providing insurance for Palestinian bank deposits. (Bloomberg)

Arab firms vie for Gaza reconstruction projects launched and funded by Qatar. (Xinhua)

Palestinian refugees fleeing Syria find poor conditions in Lebanon. (New York Times)

When the Syrian government shells rebels, Israel goes on alertand pays close attention. (Reuters)

Israel says it is "checking" into reports that Syria received Russian S-300 missiles. (Reuters)

Pres. Assad implies the missiles have already been delivered. (AFP)

Israel and Greece are weighing establishing a group that would jointly handle regional emergencies. (Xinhua)

PM Netanyahu says he wants 10 million tourists to visit Israel in the next 10 years. (Xinhua)

An Israeli entrepreneur hopes that backpackers can be the bedrock of sustainable tourism. (Christian Science Monitor)

Palestinian trade with the rest of the world is held back by both self-imposed and Israeli restrictions. (The Guardian)

FIFA says it will negotiate ongoing disputes about football between Palestine and Israel. (Reuters)

Young Gazans are using skateboarding as a means of escapism. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Palestinian artist Bashir Makhoul explores his people's experience through his work. (Times Literary Supplement)

COMMENTARY:

Francis Matthew says Kerry's economic stimulus program for Palestine is no substitute for diplomatic progress. (Gulf News)

Gershon Baskin says Kerry's peace initiative can succeed despite doubters. (Jerusalem Post)

Brent Sasley says the Israeli public would follow its leaders in accepting a peace agreement with the Palestinians. (Daily Beast/Open Zion)

Aaron David Miller asks if peace conferences, whether involving Syria or Israel and the Palestinians, do more harm than good. (Los Angeles Times)

Oded Eran suggests alternative ways forward other than a two-state solution. (The National Interest)

Larry Derfner says casting equal blame on both sides merely strengthens the occupation. (+972)

Samuel Lebens says the quest for peace can be helped by empowering moderate settler leaders. (Daily Beast/Open Zion)

Ari Shavit says the gradual but growing US disengagement from the Middle East bodes ill, especially for the downtrodden. (Ha'aretz)

Ha'aretz says proposed new Israeli legislation is nothing short of apartheid against Arabs. (Ha'aretz)

Patrick Strickland says Syrians in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights are divided over attitudes towards the Assad regime. (Al Monitor)

Or Kashti says Israel's new education minister is taking a healthier attitude towards Arab education, and better policies must follow. ( Ha'aretz)

Gideon Levy says it's time to look at Ben Gurion's dark side. (Ha'aretz)

Lena Odgaard interviews Ihab al-Ghussein, head of Hamas' media office, who says reports of anti-westernization campaigns are "smears" against the group. (Al Monitor)

Khairallah Khairallah asks if Jordan is going to be able to revive the Palestinian cause. (Al Arabiya)

NEWS:

Israeli occupation forces demolish two Palestinian homes in occupied East Jerusalem. (Ma'an)

Israeli authorities open an investigation of police and border guards for allegedly abusing a Palestinian. (Xinhua)

Hamas angrily retorts to Pres. Abbas' recent speech by saying capturing Israeli soldiers is essential. (Times of Israel)

Hamas continues to function in the West Bank despite continued efforts to suppress its activities by the PA. (Reuters)

Israeli settlers torch Palestinian vehicles in the occupied West Bank. (Xinhua)

Israeli occupation forces arrest Hamas, Fatah and Islamic Jihad activists in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. (Ma'an)

Abbas commemorates the anniversary of the creation of the PLO. (Ma'an)

Israel's chief negotiator Livni says Abbas should be pressured to negotiate. (Jerusalem Post)

Former FM Lieberman takes the stand in his corruption trial. (Xinhua)

Muslim clerics visit Auschwitz and learn about the Holocaust firsthand. (The Forward)

A Dubai-based charity employs Palestinian women in the occupied territories making handcrafted clothing and fashion accessories. (The National)

COMMENTARY:

The New York Times says Israelis and Palestinians would be foolish to squander Kerry's "determined and encouraging" peacemaking efforts. (New York Times)

The ICG says Palestinian politics are transforming quickly, and need to be protected by immediate economic, security and diplomatic measures. (International Crisis Group)

Osama Al Sharif says it would be great for the US to help the Palestinians rebuild their economy, but if independence doesn't follow, then it's all a ruse. (Jordan Times)

Stephen Walt says, if Kerry is trying to bribe the Palestinians, it won't work. (Foreign Policy)

Zvi Bar'el says by presenting Abbas as a partner, Pres. Peres is challenging a major platform of Israeli propaganda. (Ha'aretz)

Ariela Ringel-Hoffman says the Israeli right can rely on Abbas to disprove Peres' assessment every time. (YNet)

Shlomi Eldar reiterates that a two-state solution is practically, but not at present politically, possible, but he has no idea what the alternative might be. (Al Monitor)

Adnan Abu Amer interviews jailed Fatah leader Marwan Barghouti. (Al Monitor)

The New York Times and the LA Times separately interview gambling mogul Sheldon Adelson, who is noted for his support of far right-wing Israeli causes. (New York Times/Los Angeles Times)

James Cartwright and Amos Yadlin say the US, not Israel, should launch any strike against Iranian nuclear facilities and explain how. (The Atlantic)

Carlo Strenger says Jewish identity is not racist or nationalist. (Ha'aretz)

Moshe Arens says Israel desperately needs to rethink its approach to its Bedouin citizens. (Ha'aretz)

Omar Shaban says the Palestinian Securities Exchange should be transformed from a private to a public company. (Al Monitor)