News:

B’tselem says Israeli occupation forces killed two Palestinian teenagers in the West Bank without justification.

A White House official says the US will work with a new Palestinian government.

A Fatah official says Abbas will not lead the new Palestinian government.

The Hamas-Fatah relationship is complicated by the legacy of killings.

Israeli Chief Negotiator Livni defends her meeting with Pres. Abbas.

Israeli Deputy DM Danon says a “silent freeze” has been placed on West Bank settlement expansion.

Hamas may be seeking to emulate Hezbollah in a new Palestinian arrangement.

Jailed Fatah leader Barghouthi will go on a hunger strike on Wednesday.

Israeli occupation forces arrest eight Palestinians in overnight raids.

Human Rights Watch strongly criticizes alleged abuses by Palestinian police.

Israeli occupation forces uproot olive trees near Bethlehem.

“YaLa Young Leaders” hold Middle East peace talks online.

Nobel laureate Karplus calls for “one state for two peoples, if two states is difficult” while visiting Al-Quds university.

Democrat Sen. Menendez withdraws a pro-Israel bill over an Iran amendment.

Field Marshall Sisi says Israel is in danger without Egypt’s army in Sinai.

Syrian government forces kill 13, including eight children.

Activists say a chlorine attack by Syrian government forces killed a teenager in Syria.

58 countries urge the UNSC to refer Syria to the ICC.

The US appears unlikely to quickly restore its close ties with Egypt, as it “stalls” more military aid.

The EU will monitor Egypt’s presidential election.

Egypt’s garbage collectors back Sisi in hopes of greater stability.

PM Maliki has won at least 94 parliament seats in the Iraqi national election.

The US is moving more forces closer to Libya as unrest grows.

The top commander of the Libyan army’s special forces says he will join forces with Gen. Haftar, who is challenging a controversial new government.

Commentary:

Hussein Ibish says attacks on dissenting journalists show how scared Hezbollah really is.

Hisham Melhem says the coordinated media campaign against Hanin Ghaddar is “crude and malicious.”

Hussein Ibish says the ADL global anti-Semitism survey is instructive but can also potentially be misleading.

Anat Saragusti says Jewish Americans should oppose the occupation.

Shaul Arieli says Abbas is stuck between his commitments to Israel and the US, and the demands by Hamas and the Palestinian public.

Geoffrey Aronson says the return of Hamas leader Abu Marzouk to Gaza signals the return of Egypt as a broker in Palestinian politics.

Shimon Shiffer says its hard being a Jewish American official.

Sarah Eltantawi analyses the “political theology” of the Muslim Brotherhood.

Faisal Al Yafai says Gulf security depends on the prosperity of its neighbors.

The LA Times asks if Pres. Assad should face a trial as a war criminal.

The Jordan Times says Jordan must take severe measures against terrorist groups like ISIS.

The Daily Star says the “chaotic situation” in Libya shows no signs of improving in the near future.

Abdul Rahman Al Rashed says without achieving security, development and reconciliation, Iraq will remain a battlefield.

News:

The US and the UN call for Israel to investigate the killing of two Palestinian teenagers on May 15. (Ma’an/PNN/Ha’aretz/JTA/Ynet)

The PLO accuses Israel of “deliberate execution” of two Palestinian teenagers. (AFP)

FM Lieberman rejects criticism over the killing of the Palestinian teenagers. (AFP)

Pres. Abbas says he will not seek membership in additional UN and other international organizations in the near future. (Times of Israel)

Hamas says Abbas is in the final stages of selecting unity government technocrats. (Ma’an)

Israeli occupation forces reportedly establish live-fire zones by expelling Palestinians from areas of the West Bank. (Ha’aretz)

Hamas leader Meshaal says Hamas has made concessions to Fatah but will not compromise on Israel. (Reuters)

Economy Minister Bennett says Israel must dismantle the West Bank security barrier to achieve peace with the Palestinians. (Jerusalem Post)

Former Fatah official Dahlan is reportedly sentenced in absentia to two years for “slander and defamation.” (Ma’an)

Pope Francis’ visit to the Holy Land comes in the context of a Christian exodus from the region. (AP)

Israeli police arrest four suspected Jewish extremists for carrying out “price tag” attacks. (Ha’aretz)

The Pentagon says Syria is starting to relinquish its remaining chemical weapons. (Reuters)

Fighting in Syria provides Hezbollah a new but diffused purpose. (New York Times)

Amnesty International says Syrian refugees lack medical care in Lebanon. (AP)

An Egyptian court sentences former Pres. Mubarak to three years for embezzlement. (Reuters/AP/New York Times)

Egyptian presidential candidate Sabahi is trying to rally youth behind him. (AP)

Iran and the IAEA end the nuclear talks with no signs of a breakthrough. (Reuters)

Two people are killed in Libya by gunfire explosions. (Reuters)

Libya sets new parliamentary elections for June 25th. (AP)

Iraqi Kurds re-elect Barzani as regional prime minister. (Xinhua)

Commentary:

Peter Beinart says the failure of Sec. Kerry’s initiative proves that “cuddling” with PM Netanyahu does not bring peace any closer. (Ha’aretz)

Michael Doran predicts the Obama administration will continue the peace process. (Mosaic)

Bennett explains his annexationist policies. (Wall Street Journal)

Rami Khouri says the US is being pragmatic with Hamas. (Daily Star)

Brent Sasley says Israel must not neglect Palestinian citizens of Israel. (Jerusalem Post)

The Media Line interviews Pres. of Al-Quds University Nusseibeh. (The Media Line)

Smadar Perry says the controversy between Lebanese journalist Hanin Ghaddar and Hezbollah is a symptom of broader Lebanese disagreements about Syria. (Ynet)

Hassan Hassan says the Syrian Islamic Front’s new covenant makes no reference to an Islamic state and rejects extremism. (The National)

Jonathan Stevenson says the US should go beyond diplomacy on Syria. (New York Times)

Khairallah Khairallah says it was the international community that failed Syria, not UN Special Envoy Brahimi. (Al Arabiya)

Dov Zakheim says Egypt’s presidential elections are a chance for the US to reset relations. (Foreign Policy)

Eric Trager says, despite all evidence, Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood thinks its winning. (New Republic)

Ali Ibrahim says the West is finally beginning to understand the phenomenon of Sisi’s growing popularity. (Asharq al-Awsat)

Osama Al Sharif says Libya needs a strong leader and Gen. Haftar has all the necessary qualities. (Jordan Times)

News:

Sec. Kerry will meet with Pres. Abbas on Thursday to discuss peace talks. (New York Times)

Field Marshall Sisi says there is “real opportunity” for peace with Israel if it accepts the Arab Peace Initiative. (Ha’aretz/Times of Israel)

FM al-Maliki urges world leaders to declare “price tag” perpetrators terrorists. (Ma’an/Ha’aretz/Times of Israel/Reuters)

PM Netanyahu says, if the Fatah-Hamas unity deal is implemented, he will hold Abbas responsible for every rocket fired from Gaza to Israel. (Jerusalem Post)

A new PA government will be reportedly announced before the end of May. (Jerusalem Post)

Former PM Olmert sentenced to six years for corruption. (Reuters/New York Times/AFP/Ha’aretz/Jerusalem Post/The National)

Turkish FM Davotuglu calls Jerusalem “Palestinian land.” (Ha’aretz/Times of Israel)

DM Ya’alon will not increase the number of family visits to Palestinians in Israeli prisons. (Ha’aretz)

The PA urges FIFA to fine Israel. (Ynet)

Israeli authorities approve 26 projects in Gaza. (Ma’an)

Two Palestinian citizens of Israel will take part in “Arab Idol” for the first time. (Ynet)

France is preparing a UN resolution that seeks to refer parties to the Syrian conflict to the ICC. . (Reuters)

Aid workers are questioning the effectiveness of the UN Syria aid. (Reuters)

Human Rights Watch says the Syrian army yet again used chemical weapons in April. (AP)

IMF urges more aid to Jordan to cope with the Syrian refugee crisis. (Xinhua)

Jordan’s ambassador to Libya, who was abducted last month, is freed. (AP/The National/Jordan Times)

Sisi makes a plea to Egyptian youth. (AP/The National)

KRG Pres. Barzani says Kurds could “opt out” of next Iraqi government. (Reuters)

NSA Rice says there will be no nuclear deal with Iran unless it agrees to “verifiable action.” (Reuters)

Saudi FM al-Faisal invites his Iranian counterpart to Riyadh for negotiations. (Reuters)

Commentary:

Jimmy Carter says a united Palestinian government may provide new opportunities for peace. (Washington Post)

The Daily Star says, although Palestinians should commemorate their history, they should focus on the new “Nakbas” that are on the horizon. (Daily Star)

Geoffrey Aronson says Abbas reportedly agreed to allow 80% of settlers to remain in settlements annexed to Israel. (Al-Monitor)

Akiva Eldar interviews former ICC prosecutor Moreno-Ocampo. (Al-Monitor)

Yehezkel Dror says “obsolete paradigms” doomed Kerry’s initiative. (Ha’aretz)

J.J. Goldberg says there is a new generation of IDF chiefs that can be considered “hardline doves.” (Jewish Daily Forward)

Ha’aretz says Palestinian citizens of Israel need an exemption from discrimination. (Ha’aretz)

Rachel Lerner says a dynamic conversation on Israel is useful for the Jewish American community. (JTA)

Faisal Al Yafai says Syria’s “dirty secret” is that Pres. Assad would still win the presidential election even if it were free and fair. (The National)

Hassan Hassan and Michael Weiss say there is a potential rift between Saudi Arabia and the US despite the Kingdom’s “adjusted Middle East strategy.” (The American Interest)

Abdul Rahman Al Rashed says the Muslim Brotherhood is angered by Sisi’s piousness. (Al Arabiya)

H.A. Hellyer, says despite a “bleak” Arab Spring, youth should not give up. (Al Arabiya)

News:

Pres. Abbas will meet with Sec. Kerry in London on Tuesday. (Xinhua)

Israeli ministers approve a law to block the release of Palestinian prisoners. (Reuters/Xinhua/Ha’aretz/The Media Line)

Latin Patriarch Twal says “hate crimes” threaten Pope Francis’ visit to the Holy Land. (AP/AFP/Ha’aretz)

Israel accuses Special Envoy Indyk of doing nothing to help the Middle East peace talks. (Reuters)

The UN accepts Palestine as a signatory to the UN Convention Against Corruption. (Ma’an)

Israeli Minister Steinitz says “someone” wants to sabotage US-Israeli relations. (Ha’aretz/JTA)

Finance Minister Lapid defends his decision to stay in government despite impasse in peace talks. (Jerusalem Post)

Israeli soldiers open fire on Palestinian farmers in Gaza. (PNN/Times of Israel)

Israeli forces and Palestinian students clash at Al-Quds university. (Ma’an)

Israeli occupation forces detain 16 in West Bank raids. (Ma’an)

Israeli author Amos Oz say Jewish “price tag” extremists are “Hebrew neo-Nazis.” (Ynet)

PM Netanyahu says Iran’s nuclear program is a “clear and present danger.” (Reuters)

Syria officially opens its presidential campaign. (AP/Xinhua/Times of Israel)

Thousands of Syrians return to Homs after rebels leave. (AP/The National)

ISIS criticizes al-Qaeda and says it refuses to leave Syria. (AFP)

Field Marshall Sisi promises to make improvements in people’s living conditions in Egypt within two years, if elected. (AP/The National)

US Defense Secretary Hagel will meet with GCC Ministers in Saudi Arabia. (The National)

Militants kill 20 soldiers in northern Iraq. (Reuters/AP)

US officers kill two armed civilians in Yemen. (New York Times)

Commentary:

Aaron David Miller asks why Kerry’s initiative failed. (Los Angeles Times)

Rami Khouri asks why Abbas is waiting to try to join the ICC. (Daily Star)

Elliott Abrams says the Obama administration has made settlements a new obstacle to peace talks. (The Weekly Standard)

Bruce Stokes says Americans do not care about peace in the Middle East. (Foreign Policy)

Nicholas Pelham asks where is it really better to be a Christian in Israel or in the occupied territories. (Ha’aretz)

Moshe Arens says Jewish “price tag” extremists want to prevent Palestinian citizens of Israel from integrating in Israeli society. (Ha’aretz)

Amoz Oz explains why he thinks Jewish “price tag” extremists are “Hebrew neo-Nazis.” (Ynet)

Colin Shindler says Netanyahu’s “Jewish state” demand is a “public relations stunt.” (New York Times)

Seth Lipsky asks if the Jewish American community should speak with one voice on Israel. (Ha’aretz)

Hussein Ibish says more work remains to be done to repair US-Egypt relations. (The National)

Max Reibman says Egypt’s dependence on the GCC will be a challenge for any incoming Egyptian government. (Daily Star)

The Daily Star says the international community must work with Lebanon to manage the refugee crisis. (Daily Star)

Michel Kilo says the people of Homs never hesitated to “shoulder the burden” of the Syrian revolution. (Asharq al-Awsat)

The Jordan Times says the Arab world should defend media freedom. (Jordan Times)

Abdul Rahman Al Rashed says the Anbar province in Iraq is now suffering from al-Qaeda criminals, rebels and tribes allied with them. (Al Arabiya)