Date

News:

Sec. Kerry says peace talks are moving at "an increased intensity," and that Qatar has agreed to provide the PA $150 million in debt relief. (Reuters/PNN)

Israeli officials say they plan new settlement construction projects in the occupied territories soon. (Jerusalem Post)

Israeli forces in the occupied West Bank kill a Palestinian man suspected of a bombing last year. (AP/Reuters/Ma'an)

Clashes break out between Palestinians and Israeli occupation forces after a home demolition in Abu Dis. (Ma'an)

Al Quds University evacuates its campus following the clashes. (PNN)

Israeli DM Ya'alon says while there has been an increase in West Bank violence, there is no sign of a third intifada. (Jerusalem Post)

Palestinians condemn pending Israeli legislation restricting negotiating on Jerusalem. (Ma'an/Xinhua)

The tradition of not voting in Jerusalem municipal elections helps keep Palestinians powerless in that city. (New York Times/Times of Israel)

Israeli occupation forces release a Palestinian man detained for Facebook postings. (Ma'an)

Texas A&M may open a campus branch in Nazareth. (New York Times)

Israel scientific cooperation with the EU may be in danger due to the new occupation guidelines. (The Media Line)

Israeli NGOs accuse police of not doing enough to protect Palestinian olive groves from settler attacks. (Times of Israel)

Gaza's poorest residents struggle to survive. (AP)

The PA condemns remarks by former Israeli FM Lieberman against Pres. Abbas. (Xinhua/Jerusalem Post)

Fiji and Israel agree to increase agricultural cooperation. (Xinhua)

Local Palestinians are alienated by the Australian government's strong support for Israel. (Ha'aretz)

Britain urges support for "moderate opposition" forces in Syria. (New York Times)

Western powers are urging the Syrian opposition to take part in Geneva peace talks. (Reuters)

An Egyptian soldier is killed by a roadside bomb in Sinai. (AP)

Egyptian authorities arrest a policeman accused of killing detained Islamists. (Reuters)


Commentary:

Ghassan Charbel says Hamas is living in a political and literal tunnel dug for itself. (Al Hayat)

Adnan Abu Amer asks what Hamas is trying to accomplish in its recent speeches and actions. (Al Monitor)

Muhammad Shtayyeh says the real cost of occupation is not just economic but the denial of peace. (Ha'aretz)

Lara Friedman looks at two new major and alarming reports on growing Israeli settlement activity. (Daily Beast/Open Zion)

Akiva Eldar says PM Netanyahu has an unsustainable double standard for Europe regarding Iran and Israel's occupation. (Al Monitor)

The Guardian looks at Palestinian participation in Jerusalem municipal elections. (The Guardian)

Ha'aretz says Israel should stop trying to craft a "Jewish state" law and integrate all its citizens. (Ha'aretz)

Gershom Gorenberg says Israel's Chief Rabbinate has proven the country would be better off without it. (Daily Beast/Open Zion)

Hussein Ibish says Muslims should love secularism when it is properly defined and implemented. (NOW)

Moshe Ronen says proposed Israeli legislation to weaken its Supreme Court is a threat to democracy. (YNet)

Filmmaker Ali Waked discusses his new, award-winning, movie "Bethlehem." (Ha'aretz)

The CSM says Pres. Obama should prepare for Syrian peace talks by bolstering the moderate opposition. (Christian Science Monitor)

Bret Stephens says Iraq is heading towards an abyss of violence while few outsiders are paying attention. (Wall Street Journal)

Kirk Sowell says Iraq's judicial reshuffle concentrates power in a few hands. (The National)

Marc Lynch says Iraq could be the key to solving many regional conflicts if it could stabilize itself. (Foreign Policy)

Phillip Smyth asks if brutality actually makes for good propaganda for Hezbollah. (The National)

Elias Harfoush asks if, two years after the fall of Qaddafi, the West or the Libyan people are most responsible for the country's future. (Al Hayat)

Colum Lynch looks at growing alienation between Saudi Arabia and the United States. (Foreign Policy)

Walaa Hussein says Gulf money is helping Egypt's economy, but structural reforms are still indispensable. (Al Monitor)


American Task Force on Palestine - 1634 Eye St. NW, Suite 725, Washington DC 20006 - Telephone: 202-262-0017