June 19th

News:
Israeli soldiers clash with Palestinians during an arrest raid in the occupied West Bank. (AP/Reuters)
Israeli occupation forces detain 30 Palestinians in the West Bank. (Ma’an/Times of Israel)
Israel launches multiple airstrikes in Gaza. (Ma’an/Ynet)
The US calls on both Israelis and Palestinians to show restraint. (Ynet)
Hamas says it is capable of starting another intifada. (Ma’an)
US Amb. to Israel Shapiro visits the families of the kidnapped teenagers. (JTA)
Former Sec. Rice and Sec. Kerry praise each other’s Israeli-Palestinian efforts. (JTA)
FM Bishop says, despite declaring East Jerusalem not occupied, Australia reaffirms its commitment to the two-state solution. (Ha’aretz/AP)
A social media campaign seeks to hijack Arab idol fans. (Ha’aretz) 
The head of the Islamic movement Sheikh Ra'ad Salah is prohibited from leaving Israel. (Ha’aretz)
Mordehai Amihai will be the vice-chair of a UN panel on Palestinian refugees. (Times of Israel)
Kerry denies Pres. Obama has been too passive in Iraq. (AP/Reuters)
ISIS hangs their flags over Iraq’s largest oil refinery. (AP)
Iraqi government officials claim they still control the major oil refinery. (New York Times)
Gen. Dempsey says Iraq has asked the US for air support in countering the Sunni rebels. (Reuters/Washington Post/The National)
PM Erdogan says U.S. air strikes in Iraq could cause heavy casualties. (Reuters)
PM Maliki shows little sign of political compromise. (Washington Post)
Iraqi soldiers express shame for abandoning their posts. (The National)
The UAE recalls its ambassador to Iraq over its sectarian policies. (The National)
King Abdullah of Jordan says Jordan is ready to deal with regional developments. (Jordan Times)
Human Rights Watch accuses Syria's Kurdish parties of abuses. (AP/Reuters)
Moroccan PM Benkirane says women would be better off at home than in the workplace. (New York Times)
The Muslim Brotherhood’s charity work in the UK is under investigation. (The National)
Commentary:
Michael Young says its time for a coordinated response in Iraq and Syria. (The National)
Roger Cohen says the US cannot accept a “jihadi state” in Iraq. (New York Times)
Nicholas Kristof says the US invasion of Iraq in 2003 should be a warning that military force sometimes transforms a genuine problem into something worse. (New York Times)
Paul Whitefield says Americans are, indeed, conflicted on what is happening in Iraq. (Los Angeles Times)
Yochi Dreazen and John Hudson say the US is experiencing “buyers remorse” with Maliki. (Foreign Policy)
E.J. Dionne says Obama sees the contradictions in the Middle East and will not act “rashly.”  (Washington Post)
Eyad Abu Shakra says the US has suddenly decided to “wake up to the threat” represented by ISIS in Iraq. (Asharq al-Awsat)
Frederic Hof says the US should not “beg” Iran to act on Iraq and Syria. (Ha’aretz)
The National says Netanyahu is “exploiting” the kidnapped teenagers. (The National)
The Jordan Times says no child, Israeli, Palestinian or of any other country, should be used as pawn for any purpose. (Jordan Times)
Peter Beinart says Palestinians in the west should speak out against Hamas’ human rights abuses. (Ha’aretz)
Amir Rotem says the Israeli closure of Gaza only perpetuates conflict with the Palestinians. (Ha’aretz)
Gershon Baskin asks who kidnapped the three teenagers. (Jerusalem Post) 
Asmaa al-Ghoul says the kidnapping of the teenagers is “no joke” for the Palestinians. (Al-Monitor)
Akiva Eldar says Netanyahu should engage Pres. Abbas on both diplomacy and security. (Al-Monitor)
Michael Young says Lebanon can parry regional fragmentation. (Daily Star)
The Daily Star says the crescendo of interest in Lebanon’s presidential election has dropped significantly. (Daily Star)
Joyce Karam says the world cup “fever” beats politics in Lebanon. (Al Arabiya)
Andrew Harper says the world must not forget its responsibility to help Syrian refugees. (Jordan Times)

June 17th

News:
Israeli occupation forces arrest 41 Palestinians in the West Bank. (AP/Reuters/Ma’an/Ha’aretz/Jerusalem Post)
Israeli ministers will reportedly increase the pressure on Hamas and will worsen the conditions of Hamas members held in Israeli prisons. (Ha’aretz/Jerusalem Post/Times of Israel)
The kidnapping of three Israeli teenagers is spurring debate over the conduct of settlers in the occupied West Bank. (New York Times)
The PA is reportedly taking steps to halt the reconciliation process with Hamas. (Times of Israel)
PM Netanyahu says Israel is operating against Hamas to bring home the kidnapped teenagers. (Ha’aretz)
The EU condemns the kidnapping of the teenagers. (Jerusalem Post)
Norway cancels a conference of PA donor countries. (Ha’aretz)
Israel launches overnight airstrikes on Gaza. (Ma’an/JTA/Ynet)
Israel closes the Kerem Shalom crossing with Gaza. (Ma’an)
The US Consulate in Jerusalem warns American citizens to take precautions andavoid demonstrations during travel in the occupied West Bank. (JTA/Ha’aretz)
The Israel Medical Association will publish a booklet advising doctors on how to treat hunger-striking prisoners. (Ha’aretz)
US forces are being positioned in and around Iraq. (AP/The National)
UNSG Ban warns of “massive” sectarian violence in Iraq. (AP) 
Sunni insurgents push further into a province northeast of Baghdad.(AP/Reuters/New York Times)
PM Maliki is reportedly spending less time focusing on reconciliation with Kurds and Sunnis. (New York Times)
Saudi Arabia warns against foreign intervention in Iraq. (The National)
The New York Times examines the crisis in Iraq. (New York Times)
Turkey imposes a ban on media reporting about the seizure by ISIS of Turkish diplomats.  (Reuters)
Pres. Sisi swears in the new Egyptian government. (AP)
A car bomb in eastern Syria kills five. (AP)
Iran and the P5+1 resume nuclear talks. (AP/Reuters/The National)
FM Hague says Britain plans to reopen its embassy in Iran. (Reuters/The National)
Commentary:
Asharq al-Awsat says the future of the Middle East depends on the crisis in Iraq. (Asharq al-Awsat)
Faisal Al Yafai says Pres. Obama’s “no war policy” leaves the US vulnerable. (The National)
Bakir Oweida says averting the partition of Iraq and Syria should be the number-one priority. (Asharq al-Awsat)
Steven Simon says ISIS will fail in Iraq and Iran will be the victor. (New York Times)
Hassan Barari says Maliki has become an obstacle to achieving stability in Iraq. (Jordan Times)
Katrina Vanden Heuvel says there is no equivalence to be drawn between Bush’s 2003 decision to invade Iraq and Obama’s 2011 decision to withdraw US troops. (Washington Post)
Eugene Robinson says Obama’s instincts about Iraq and Syria have been sound from the beginning. (Washington Post)
Aaron David Miller says Obama should break the momentum of the ISIS attacks and press Maliki to be a more inclusive leader. (Foreign Policy)
The Daily Star says  refugees are the only area in which Arab states have experienced true unity of late. (Daily Star)
Amos Harel says Israel's response to the kidnapping is aimed at driving a wedge between Pres. Abbas and Hamas (Ha’aretz)
Yair Ettinger says the kidnapping of the teenagers is turning Israelis against each other. (Ha’aretz)
Marc Goldberg says Israel’s “all-out efforts” to find the teenagers will push more Palestinians towards extremism. (Times of Israel)
Akiva Eldar says Netanyahu is wrong to blame Abbas for the kidnapping. (Al-Monitor)
Smadar Perry says the kidnapping of the teenagers is another failure for Abbas. (Ynet)
Martin Karplus says Israelis and Palestinians should work together to improve their “common homeland.” (Ha’aretz)
Abdel Latif el-Menawy says Sisi should be a man of the people. (Al Arabiya)

June 10th

News:
Israel’s parliament selects Reuven Rivlin as country’s next president. (Reuters/AP/AFP/Ha’aretz/Jerusalem Post)
DM Ya’alon says the formula of land for peace was a mistake. (JTA/Jerusalem Post/Ynet)
Israel’s parliament has given initial approval to a law that would enable force-feedingPalestinian prisoners. (Reuters/Ha’aretz/Jerusalem Post)
US lawmakers want Sec. Kerry to explain his decision to continue working with the PA. (JTA/Jerusalem Post/Times of Israel)
US Senators are debating military aid to Israel. (Ha’aretz)
Former NSC Advisor Berger says Hamas should not be allowed to participate in Palestinian elections. (Jerusalem Post)
Hamas calls on its armed wing in the occupied West Bank to target Israeli soldiers and settlers. (Times of Israel)
Hamas says PA forces “assaulted” Hamas-affiliated protesters in Ramallah. (Ma’an)
Jewish Australians express concern about their country’s new stance on occupied East Jerusalem. (Ha’aretz)
Jordan summons an Australian diplomat over the status of occupied East Jerusalem. (Xinhua/AFP/Jordan Times)
Palestinian Professor Dajani who took students to Auschwitz resigns amid controversy. (The Media Line)
The Palestinian Environmental Authority says half of the beaches in Gaza havedangerous levels of contamination and are unfit for swimming. (Ma’an)
Israel prevents Palestinian businessman Munib Masri from entering Gaza. (Bloomberg)
Israeli Gen. Brun is optimistic about the nuclear talks with Iran. (New York Times/Ha’aretz)
Israeli Amb. Dermer derides efforts at a deal with Iran. (Ha’aretz)
A six-week offensive by ISIL in eastern Syria has killed 600 fighters and driven 130,000 people from their homes. (Reuters/AP)
Pres. Sissi condemns sexual harassment in Egypt. (AP/The National)
PM Maliki asks the parliament to declare a state of emergency after insurgents seizeMosul (Reuters/New York Times/Washington Post/The National)
Iran and Turkey pledge to work together to fight extremism. (The National)
The Lebanese parliament fails again to elect a new president. (Xinhua)
Corruption plagues Qatar’s world cup preparations. (New York Times)
 
Commentary:
The Jordan Times says Australia is disregarding international law, by deciding to stop referring to East Jerusalem as occupied area. (Jordan Times)
Zvi Bar’el says the US is being forced to compromise in the Middle East. (Ha’aretz)
Jonathan Cook says elections will be the most difficult test for the new Palestinian government. (The National)
Ha’aretz says Israel should not force-feed Palestinian hunger strikers. (Ha’aretz)
Uri Savir says Pres. Peres’ leadership is not only a reflection of Israel, but more importantly, a projection of what it should aspire to be. (Jerusalem Post)
Hassan Barari says the Syrian presidential election was designed to “rehabilitate and legitimize” Pres. Assad. (Jordan Times)
Seyed Hossein Mousavian and Nassif Hitti say time has come to consider the necessity of establishing a conference on security and cooperation in the Middle East. (Asharq al-Awsat)
Khairallah Khairallah says Hezbollah’s military involvement in Syria harmed whatever was left of Lebanese sovereignty. (Al Arabiya)
The Daily Star says, from the judiciary to the education system, Lebanon needs to overhaul its approach to sexual violence. (Daily Star)
The National says military conscription in the UAE will have many benefits. (The National)

June 9th

News:
Pope Francis says Israeli and Palestinian leaders must respond to their people’s yearning for peace. (Reuters/AP/New York Times/AFP/Ha’aretz/Ynet/Times of Israel/The National)
Israel seeks the return of PA forces to Gaza. (Ha’aretz)
European Commission Chief Barroso says the new Palestinian government must be supported. (AFP)
PM Netanyahu’s office says Israel will not unilaterally withdraw from the occupied West Bank. (Times of Israel)
Finance Minister Lapid calls settlement construction in the occupied West Bank a “waste of money.” (AP/Xinhua/JTA)
FM Lieberman says annexation is inapplicable to Israel's current situation with the Palestinians. (Jerusalem Post/Times of Israel)
Israeli Interior Minister Sa’ar dismisses the idea of an independent Palestinian state, but calls for Jordan to play an integral part in solving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. (Times of Israel)
UN Envoy Serry meets in Gaza with four ministers of the new Palestinian government. (Ma’an/AP)
Banks in Gaza remain closed as a crisis over salaries continues to challenge the new Palestinian government. (Ma’an)
The new Palestinian government brings rare hope for refugees. (The National)
Human Rights Watch says the killing of two Palestinian teenagers during a protest in the occupied West Bank might constitute an Israeli war crime. (Reuters)
Egypt is reportedly willing to permanently open the Rafah crossing. (Ma’an)
The Israeli parliament will vote for a new president. (AP)
Sec. Clinton writes in her memoir that she disapproved of early efforts by the Obama White House to push Israel toward a complete freeze of settlement activity. (Jerusalem Post/AP)
Pres. Assad declares a general amnesty for prisoners in Syria. (AP/Xinhua)
Hezbollah leader Nasrallah calls on the US to talk to Assad if it wants to settle the crisis in Syria. (Washington Post)
Lebanese Druze leader Jumblatt says Hezbollah’s intervention in Syria was a “moral mistake.” (The National)
Pres. Sisi promises to rule Egypt in an inclusive manner. (Reuters/AP/New York Times/The National)
The inauguration highlights Sisi’s shaky international standing. (Reuters)
Egypt arrests seven men for sexually assaulting a student during celebration of the inauguration of Sisi. (AP)
Libya’s Supreme Court rules the GNC’s election of PM Maiteeq was unconstitutional.  (Reuters)
The UAE issues a law requiring compulsory military service for adult males. (AP)
Commentary:
Hussein Ibish says Australia's decision to no longer call East Jerusalem occupied is an attack on international law and order.(The National)
The Christian Science Monitor says the Vatican prayers for the Middle East serve as a reminder of the universal desire for peace. (Christian Science Monitor)
Hazem Balousha says Hamas seeks to reclaim political influence by using the PLO.  (Al-Monitor)
Gabriel Webber says students in the UK have defeated BDS by bringing pro-Israel and pro-Palestine students together. (Ha’aretz)
Roger Cohen says comparing Israel to apartheid South Africa is a “moral calumny.”(New York Times)
Jose Manuel Barroso says without progress in the peace negotiations, the EU’s growing cooperation with Israel will be greatly complicated. (Ha’aretz) 
Dani Dayan proposes a plan to “create a new civil reality” in the occupied West Bank. (New York Times)
Ben Caspit says Netanyahu’s political fortunes depend on maintaining relations with Washington. (Al-Monitor)
S. Daniel Abraham asks if Israelis really want a “Jewish state.” (Ha’aretz)
Shlomo Ben-Ami says the collapse of the Israeli-Palestinian negotiations should spur a fundamental reconsideration of a paradigm of peace making.  (Jordan Times)
Abdul Rahman Al Rashed asks how will Sisi confront the accumulated economic failures threatening Egypt and his presidency. (Al Arabiya)
H.A. Hellyer says Egyptians want change but it’s  not clear how much change they want, at what pace, and what they are willing to give up for it. (Al Arabiya)
Faisal Abbas write a letter to Sisi. (Al Arabiya)
Amina Al-Naqqash and Mohamed Abu Hamed debate whether Sisi will prioritize foreign policy or balance domestic and foreign policies. (Asharq al-Awsat)
Rami Khouri says the recent elections in the Arab world raise questions about Arab democracy. (Daily Star)
Amer Al Sabaileh says Jordan should adopt new and flexible strategies that guarantees it a role in the region. (Jordan Times)
The Jordan Times says Prince Zeid’s nomination to the post of UN High Commissioner for human rights is a national and personal achievement. (Jordan Times)
William Hague and Angelina Jolie say it is in our power to remove rape as a weapon of war from the world’s “arsenal of cruelty.” (The National)

June 6th

News:
Israel’s settlement plans are condemned by the international community. (AFP/Times of Israel)
The US says its “deeply disappointed” by Israel’s plan to issue new building tenders in the occupied Palestinian territories. (Times of Israel)
The EU urges Israel to reverse its decision to build 1500 new settlement housing units. (Ma’an/Ha’aretz/Jerusalem Post/Ynet)
Israeli officials tell the EU to focus on Syria and not on settlements. (Ha’aretz)
PM Netanyahu will convene a team of ministers to discuss additional measures against the new Palestinian government. (Ha’aretz)
DM Ya’alon says the new Palestinian government is presenting a “facade” and not truly interested in peace with Israel. (Jerusalem Post)
A poll indicates most Israeli Jews oppose unilateral actions in the occupied West Bank. (Ha’aretz)
A major challenge for Palestinian reconciliation involves dealing with the case of settling hundreds killed in fighting. (AP/Times of Israel)
The EU donates $335 million to UNRWA. (JTA)
The Red Cross visits the families of hunger-striking Palestinian prisoners to carry messages from their relatives. (Ma’an)
Jerusalem is picked as the capital of Islamic tourism for 2016 by the Organization for Islamic Cooperation. (Ha’aretz)
Israel is building a farm on Palestinian land in the occupied West Bank. (Ha’aretz)
The Palestinian national soccer team achieves its highest-ever FIFA ranking. (Ma’an)
Pres. Assad praises the Syrian election and Iran. (New York Times)
Pres. Peres tells Pres. Sisi that Israel remains committed to peace with Egypt. (Jerusalem Post/Reuters)
Egypt’s outgoing Pres. Mansour decrees sexual harassment a crime punishable by up to five years in prison. (AP)
Egyptian political parties are concerned over a draft parliamentary election law. (Reuters)
A poll indicates 40 percent of Iranians would be willing to give up a nuclear weapons program in return for the full removal of sanctions. (New York Times)
 
Commentary:
The Washington Post says the White House is right to work with the new Palestinian government. (Washington Post)
Bernard Avishai says Pres. Abbas is enhancing his popularity through forming the new Palestinian government. (New Yorker)
The Jordan Times says the international community has “unveiled” Netanyahu’s true intentions  by offering to work with the new Palestinian government. (Jordan Times)
Ha’aretz says Netanyahu must change his attitude to the new Palestinian government. (Ha’aretz)
Shmuel Rosner says Israel should not annex the occupied West Bank. (New York Times)
Shlomi Eldar interviews former Fatah official Sufian Abu Zaida. (Al-Monitor)
Adnan Abu Amer says Hamas sees a visit to Russia as a means to end its regional isolation. (Al-Monitor)
Botros Mansour says Israel’s attempts to attract Palestinian Christian citizens of Israel to voluntary military service will see limited success. (Al-Monitor)
The National says the US has not only refused to act on Syria but has also prevented its allies from doing so. (The National)
Raed Omari says Europe’s proximity to Syria presents serious dangers from the conflict. (Al Arabiya)
The Daily Star says the Syrian regime is detached from reality, by insisting on having a role in the choice of a new Lebanese president. (Daily Star)
Hanin Ghaddar says, if you are a Shiite in Lebanon, you must “surrender” your life to the resistance. (Now)
Samir Salha says Turkish–Israeli relations have always been influenced and affected by their relations with other states. (Asharq al-Awsat)
Mary Fitzgerald asks if Gen. Haftar is finally reining in out-of-control Islamist militias. (Foreign Policy)

June 5th

News:

Israel advances plans for 1500 new settlement housing units in the occupied Palestinian territories. (AP/AFP/PNN/Ha’aretz/JTA/The National)

The PLO will appeal to the UNSC over Israel’s settlement plans. (Ma’an/Xinhua)

Israeli Chief Negotiator Livni says settlement building is a “diplomatic mistake.”(Jerusalem Post)

US Amb. to Israel Shapiro condemns Israel’s new settlement plans. (Jerusalem Post/Times of Israel)

The US has reportedly been speaking to Hamas through back channels for more than six months. (Ynet/Buzzfeed)

Sec. Kerry defends the US decision to work with a new Palestinian government. (AP/Ha’aretz)

The White House says Israel’s “hard line public position” on the new Palestinian government isbelied by its own actions. (Ha’aretz)

The question of Hamas is the latest dispute between the US and Israel. (New York Times)

Pres. Abbas will reportedly seek to secure an Egyptian role in supervising reconciliation with Hamas. (Ma’an)

The Australian government will no longer refer to East Jerusalem as a territory under occupation. (Ha’aretz/Times of Israel)

Clashes break out in Gaza as PA public employees attempt to withdraw their salaries from ATM machines. (Reuters/Ma’an)

Abbas urges the new Palestinian government and the Central Elections Commission to start preparing for the upcoming elections. (Xinhua)

PM Hamdallah urges the international community to pressure Israel to allow elections to take place in occupied East Jerusalem. (Ma’an)

An Israeli military court says Palestinian minors have the right to see a social worker before remand. (Ha’aretz)

Jewish “price tag” extremists set fire to dozens of olive trees in the occupied West Bank. (Ma’an) 

Pres. Assad is re-elected in a landslide. (AP/Reuters/New York Times/The National)

Kerry calls the Syrian election a “great big zero.” (Washington Post)

UN Humanitarian Chief Amos tells Assad to put his country's people first. (Reuters)

Chinese Pres. Xi calls for a political resolution for Syria. (Reuters)

Ayatollah Khamenei says Pres. Obama has taken the option of military intervention to resolve conflicts off the table. (New York Times)
 

Commentary:

The LA Times says the US should continue to support the PA. (Los Angeles Times)

Akiva Eldar says the Arab Peace Initiative is Israel’s best option. (Al-Monitor)

Khaled Diab says the Palestinian literature festival demonstrates that “the pen is mightier than the sword.” (The National)

Salman Masalha says, despite the new x-ray machines, the “brutal treatment” of Palestinian citizens of Israel at Ben-Gurion Airport continues. (Ha’aretz)

The Jordan Times says the Syrian presidential election was a “sham.” (Jordan Times)

Rachel Brandenburg says the amount of assistance required to meet the basic needs of Syrians affected by the conflict is astounding. (Foreign Policy)

Faisal Al Yafai says, before his assassination, Lebanese journalist Samir Kassir foresaw the extent of Assad’s brutality in Syria. (The National)

The Daily Star says the timing of Kerry’s visit to Lebanon is significant and so is his message. (Daily Star)

Joyce Karam says Kerry in Lebanon looked more like a spectator than a problem solver. (Al Arabiya)

Michael Young says focusing on Hezbollah, may tell us what the ultimate outcome will be in the Lebanese presidency. (Daily Star)

June 4th

News:

Pres. Abbas swears in a new Palestinian government. (Reuters/New York Times/Washington Post/Ma’an/Ha’aretz/Jerusalem Post/Times of Israel/The National)

PM Netanyahu wants the new Palestinian government to be isolated. (AP/New York Times/AFP/PNN/Ha’aretz/JTA)

Sec. Kerry voices his concerns to Abbas about Hamas’ role in the new Palestinian government. (AFP/Ynet)

The new members of the Palestinian government are named. (Ma’an/Times of Israel)

Kerry will reportedly meet with Abbas on Wednesday in Jordan. (Ma’an/PNN)

Israel’s security cabinet will meet to discuss the new Palestinian government. (Ha’aretz)’

Israel will withhold Palestinian tax revenues to the PA. (Xinhua/Times of Israel)

Egypt opens the Rafah crossing for three days. (Ma’an)

An attorney, who is a Palestinian citizen of Israel, cannot find an apartment in Tel Aviv. (Ha’aretz)

Israel responds to a mortar launched from Syria. (AP/Ha’aretz)

Hezbollah leader Nasrallah reportedly holds meetings with Hamas officials. (Jerusalem Post)

Syrians will vote in the presidential election tomorrow. (AP/New York Times)

Hassan al-Nouri, who is a US educated businessman, is running against Pres. Assad in the Syrian presidential election. (Washington Post)

Russian FM Lavrov says Russia will oppose a UN resolution authorizing cross-border aid deliveriesto Syria. (Reuters)

Lebanon warns Syrian refugees that if they return to Syria they will lose their refugee status. (Xinhua)

Egyptian islamists torch shops owned by Coptic Christians near Luxor. (AP)

Clashes between the Libyan army and Islamist militants in Benghazi kill eight.(Reuters)

Ayatollah Khamenei urges better ties with Arab countries. (AP)

The UN says violence in Iraq killed 799 people in May. (AP)

Qatar reportedly paid millions in bribes to host 2022 World Cup. (The National)

Commentary:

Ha’aretz says Israel’s refusal to deal with the new Palestinian government is “puzzling and damaging.” (Ha’aretz)

Ali Jarbawi says the election of Egyptian Pres. Sisi has given Palestinians hope that their cause will return to the forefront of Arab affairs. (New York Times)

Shlomi Eldar says Hamas will not challenge the PLO’s agreements with Israel. (Al-Monitor)

Tal Niv says Israelis can no longer make use of the army and debase it to make “murderousness the norm.” (Ha’aretz)

Sever Plocker says it's time to replace Netanyahu and Abbas' indecision with the resolve of Pres. Obama, Pres. Putin, Chanc. Merkel and Sisi.  (Ynet)

Jonathan Schienberg says Palestinian businessman Bashar al-Masri has a plan for building democracy in the occupied West Bank. (Foreign Policy)

Lipika Pelham says Munib al-Masri has a vision for Palestine. (Times of Israel)

Amer Al Sabaileh says Jordan has no intention to alter diplomatic relations with Syria after the expulsion of Amb. Suleiman. (Jordan Times)

Abdul Rahman Al Rashed says Egypt will either bring security to the entire region or become a source of regional problems. (Al Arabiya)

The National says Egypt needs a modern day Marshall plan. (The National)

Rami Khouri says the west has “worsened” the terrorist threat in the Arab world. (Daily Star)

Theodore Karasik asks if Gen. Haftar will be the next charismatic and nationalist leader of Libya. (Al Arabiya)

News:

The US will work with and fund the new Palestinian government. (Reuters)

The EU is also prepared to work with the new Palestinian government. (AP/Ynet)

PM Netanyahu says he is “deeply troubled” by the US decision to maintain relations with the new Palestinian government. (AP/AFP/Ha’aretz/Ynet)

Israel denounces the US for accepting the new Palestinian government. (Times fo Israel)

PM Hamdallah urges the international community to continue supporting Palestinians and their legal rights. (Xinhua)

Pres. Abbas says new elections will be held within six months. (Ma’an)

Israel will bar members of the new Palestinian government from moving freely. (Ha’aretz)       

Many Jewish American organizations urge the US to either review or cut off its financial support of the PA. (Ha’aretz)                                 

Israeli Amb. Dermer expresses “deep disappointment” in the US decision to continue supporting the PA. (JTA)

The New York Times answers questions about the new Palestinian government. (New York Times)

Palestinians in Ramallah say the new government must prove itself. (Jerusalem Post)

Hamas’s interior ministry in Gaza is abolished with the swearing in of a new Palestinian government. (Times of Israel)

Israeli occupation forces kill a Palestinian man who allegedly attacked a checkpoint in the West Bank. (Reuters/Ma’an/Xinhua/PNN/JTA/Ha’aretz)  

Syrians vote in a presidential election. (Reuters/AP/New York Times/The National)

Turkey lists the al-Nusra Front as a terrorist group. (Xinhua)

Libya’s new PM Maiteeq holds his first cabinet meeting. (Reuters)

Egyptian satirist Bassem Youssef ends his show. (AP/New York Times)

Commentary:

The Jordan Times says Israel’s move to boycott the new Palestinian government is “childish and counterproductive.” (Jordan Times)

Chemi Shalev says Israel’s decision to isolate the new Palestinian government is aimed at two audiences: Israeli public opinion and Republican lawmakers. (Ha’aretz)

The Media Line interviews Abbas advisor Dr. Sabri Saidam. (The Media Line)

David Horovitz outlines 12 ways the Obama administration has failed Israel. (Times of Israel)

Ron Ben-Yishai says Israel should try to enhance the positive aspects of the new Palestinian government. (Ynet)

Akiva Eldar says Israel can learn from the Palestinian narrative. (Al-Monitor)

Ha’aretz says Israel’s use of administrative detention must be reviewed. (Ha’aretz)

Steven Heydemann says the Syrian presidential election is a farce, but it is still dangerous. (Foreign Policy)

David Kenner looks at the other two candidates of the Syrian presidential election. (Foreign Policy)

Diana Moukalled says the ballot that took place in Lebanon among Syrians was not a “genuine election.” (Al Arabiya)

Mustapha Tlili says the Obama administration has failed to grasp the nature of political Islam. (New York Times)

Hassan Barari says a new equilibrium in the Gulf and the Levant can only materialise if Iran changes course. (Jordan Times)

Mohsin Khan says Pres. Sisi must solve numerous economic problems if Egypt is to “bounce back.” (The National)

Mamoun Fandy says Egypt has five major crises that need to be prioritized. (Asharq al-Awsat)

The Daily Star says Iran and the Gulf need to work together to minimize threats posed by extremists from both sides of the divide. (Daily Star)

News:
The PA says PM Netanyahu has failed to isolate the new Palestinian government. (Ma’an)
The State Department says it will judge the new Palestinian government based on itsactions. (Ha’aretz/Ynet/Jerusalem Post/Times of Israel)
India, China and Turkey endorse the new Palestinian government. (Ha’aretz)
Israeli restrictions prevent the first cabinet meeting for the new Palestinian ministers in Gaza. (Ma’an/Ha’aretz)
Israel officially notifies the PA about its sanctions against the Palestinians. (Ma’an)
Israeli doctors say they will not force-feed Palestinian prisoners. (AP/Ha’aretz)
The PLO says Israel is responsible for the lives of Palestinian prisoners on hunger strike. (Ma’an)
Jordan condemns Israeli actions at the Al-Aqsa mosque, after Israeli police limit Muslim access to the holy site. (Times of Israel)
Allies of Pres. Assad praise the vote of the Syrian presidential election. (AP)
The Syrian presidential election sends a powerful signal of Assad’s control. (Washington Post/The National/AFP)
Sec. Kerry arrives in Lebanon to meet with PM Salam, Speaker Berri and Maronite Patriarch Rai. (Daily Star)
Lebanon appeals for more international support to prevent economic collapse amid the refugee crisis. (Xinhua)
Pres. Sisi tells Egyptians it is now “time to work” to rebuild the economy. (AP)
The White House welcomes Sisi’s election but expresses concerns about the "restrictive political environment." (Reuters)
Gen. Haftar survives a suicide attack in his residence in Benghazi. (AP/Reuters)
Algeria’s FM Lamamra says the Arab Spring has increased the influence and power of terror groups. (AP) 
Turkey restores access to YouTube. (AP/Xinhua)
Commentary:
Rami Khouri says the new Palestinian government offers important new possibilities. (Daily Star)
The National says the focus of the new Palestinian government needs to be the creation of a Palestinian state. (The National)
Yossi Mekelberg says the new Palestinian government was born as a matter of urgent necessity for the Palestinians. (Al Arabiya)
Peter Beinart says many from Netanyahu’s coalition would not pass his litmus test on peace for Hamas. (Ha’aretz)
Ben Caspit says FM Lieberman is offering a plan for open contacts with moderate Arab states. (Al-Monitor)
Ali Ibrahim says Hamas has learned a lesson from Tunisia’s Ennahda party. (Asharq al-Awsat)
Ehud Yaari says Hamas is opting for the Hezbollah model. (Times of Israel)
The New York Times says the significance of the Syrian election is that Assad remains in power and is unlikely to leave anytime soon. (New York Times)
Abdul Rahman Al Rashed believes Sisi will bolster support for Egypt’s closest allies such as Saudi Arabia, and support the Syrian revolution. (Al Arabiya)
The Daily Star says Assad’s “clear-cut victory” is against Syria and the Syrian people. (Daily Star)
Osama Al Sharif says one cannot count on America’s intervention or leadership to resolve the crisis in Syria. (Jordan Times)
Hussein Ibish says Sisi will be judged on performance, not voter turnout or his large mandate. (Now)
H.A. Hellyer says the departure of Egyptian comedian Bassem Youssef from the Arab media scene is sad. (Foreign Policy)
Thomas Friedman says Kurdistan remains the “unsung success story” of the Iraq war. (New York Times)

May 29th

News:
Pres. Abbas names PM Hamdallah as prime minister of the new Palestinian government. (AFP/Jerusalem Post)
Abbas tells Israeli peace activists that he will uphold security coordination with Israel. (Times of Israel)
An Israeli soldier is suspended after killing two Palestinian teenagers in the occupied West Bank. (Reuters/New York Times)
PM Netanyahu tells settlers he is fighting for them, but there are international constraints. (Ha’aretz)
Israeli lawmakers introduce legislation to annex 90 Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank. (Reuters)
Israeli Chief Negotiator Livni threatens to pull out of the coalition if Israel were toannex the West Bank. (Ha’aretz/Jerusalem Post)
40 hunger-striking Palestinian detainees are hospitalized in Israel. (Ha’aretz)
The EU gives €200 million to the PA and UNRWA in order to provide vital basic services to the Palestinian people. (PNN)
South African politician De Klerk says Israel could become an apartheid state without the creation of a Palestinian state. (JTA)
Israel’s navy detains four Palestinian fishermen in Gaza. (Ma’an)
An American official says US plans to increase support for Syria’s moderate rebels are in their early stages. (Reuters)
Syrians in Lebanon vote in the Syrian presidential election as expat balloting isextended for another day. (AP/Washington Post)
A US citizen working for the Al-Nusra Front in Syria conducts a suicide bombing. (New York Times/Times of Israel)
Field Marshall Sisi wins Egypt’s presidential election in a huge landslide. (Reuters/AP/The National)
A 22-nation exercise that includes 6,000 US troops starts in Jordan.(Stripes)
Libyan warplanes strike Islamist militias in Benghazi. (Reuters/The National)
There is a power struggle in Libya between two competing prime ministers. (Reuters)

Saudi Arabia officially invites Iranian FM Zarif to visit the kingdom. (Xinhua)
Commentary:
Gal Beckerman analyzes the Pope’s visit to two very different walls. (Jewish Daily Forward)
Haviv Rettig Gur says Pope Francis “triumphed over the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.” (Times of Israel)
Gershon Baskin says the two-state solution is still viable. (Jerusalem Post)
Matthew Levitt and Neri Zilber say Hamas’ and Fatah’s ability to make progress on security, institutional, and political changes will dictate the future of Palestinian politics. (WINEP)
Ori Nir says Israeli politicians are alienating progressive American Jews. (Ha’aretz)
Michael Young says if Pres. Assad will be re-elected his Iranian and Russian backers will start facing difficulties. (The National)
Joyce Karam says Pres. Obama is shifting to a conflict-management strategy in Syria. (Al Arabiya)
Abdul Rahman Al Rashed asks if Obama has changed his Syria policy. (Al Arabiya)
The Daily Star says the turnout of Syria’s election day in Lebanon should send an important message to Lebanese officials. (Daily Star
Faisal Al Yafai says the end of the Israeli occupation in Lebanon empowered the most confrontational elements in both countries. (The National)
Michael Young says Iran is benefitting from chaos in the Arab world. (Daily Star)
Joanne Leedom-Ackerman says Tunisia could be the “first Arab Spring success,” but its not there yet. (Christian Science Monitor)

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