Date

News:

The Vatican officially recognizes the State of Palestine in a new treaty.(AP\Ma’an\Ha’aretz\Times of Israel\Ynet\Jerusalem Post\Foreign Policy\JTA\New York Times\Washington Post)

The PLO says the Vatican’s agreement is a “genuine contribution to peace and justice.” (Ma’an\PNN)

Strategic consultations between Israel and France last week end in discord over French initiative for UN resolution on talks with Palestinians. (Ha’aretz\Ma’an)

EU Foreign Policy Chief Mogherini will visit Israel and the PA next week. (Times of Israel)

A Palestinian official says the documentation necessary for Palestine to bring Israel to the ICC will be approved before the end of 2015. (Ma’an)

PM Netanyahu says he wants to achieve peace with the Palestinians and other Arab states. (AFP)

Three Israeli teenagers are wounded in a suspected terror attack outside of a settlement in theoccupied West Bank. (Ha’aretz\Times of Israel\Ynet\Jerusalem Post\AFP)

Sen. Rubio backs Netanyahu and says conditions for a two-state solution “do not exist today.” (Ha’aretz)

Germany announces a $41 million contribution to the UNRWA shelter assistance program in Gaza. (Ma’an)

Egypt continues to crack down on Gaza tunnels, but faces setbacks in Sinai. (Times of Israel)

Israel will demolish an electricity grid near the Qasra village in southern Nablus. (Ma’an)

The US issues a warning urging citizens to exercise caution ahead of Nakba day. (Ha’aretz\Times of Israel\JTA) 

The Canadian government denies a report that its considering criminalizing boycotts of Israel. (JTA)

A report indicates 75% of occupied East Jerusalem residents live below the poverty line. (Jerusalem Post)

Pres. Obama discusses American efforts to forge an international nuclear deal with Iran with Saudi leaders. (Reuters\The National)

Obama convenes Camp David summit with Gulf state leaders. (AP)

Saudi Arabia promises to match Iran in nuclear capabilities. (New York Times\Times of Israel)

A senior Iranian official says King Salman is a "traitor to Islam" and equates Saudi Arabia's military assault in Yemen with Israeli actions against Palestinians. (Reuters)

Syrian armed groups opposed to Pres. Assad reject an invitation to UN consultations in Geneva. (Reuters)

Hezbollah and the Syrian army make big advances against insurgents in mountains north of Damascus. (Reuters)

King Abdullah meets with Chancellor Merkel. (Jordan Times)

Commentary:

Michael Young says Israel's swing to the right in the last election reinforces commonly held attitudes about the country in the region. (The National)

Gideon Levy says the more Israel represses the Nakba, the stronger the memories. (Ha’aretz)

Ari Shavit says Israel has abandoned young Jewish Americans in its fight against BDS. (Ha’aretz)

Joyce Karam asks if Obama and the GCC can strike a balance at the Camp David summit. (Al Arabiya)

John Duke Anthony says the Camp David summit is an opportunity for strategic reassurance. (Al Arabiya)

Robert Manning says as the Gulf countries contemplate the US's commitment to the region, Taiwan's experience could be instructive. (The National)

Roger Cohen says Iran these days is a greater focus of Arab ire and disquiet than Israel. (New York Times)

Michael Young looks at Pres. Assad’s “perilous dance with Iran.” (Daily Star)

Elizabeth Dickinson asks if Saudis will be celebrating when the Kingdom turns up the heat against ISIS. (Foreign Policy)


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