NEWS:
The White House says Israel must recognize changing dynamics [1] in the Middle East. (AP)
Pres. Obama gives a wide-ranging interview [2] on Israeli television. (JTA)
Neither Israelis nor Palestinians [3] seem to be placing much hope in Obama's upcoming visit for reviving peace talks. (Reuters)
Pres. Abbas says he hopes for a resumption of peace talks [4] with Israel this year, but he's not optimistic. (Reuters)
Palestinian negotiators say "goodwill gestures" will not be enough [5] to revive negotiations. (Jerusalem Post)
Hamas expresses anger [6] that Obama will be ignoring the group during his visit. (Xinhua)
Tensions mount in the occupied West Bank [7] as Israelis and Palestinians attack each other. (New York Times)
Occupation forces arrest 10 Palestinians [8] for throwing stones at Israeli cars and causing crashes that injured several, including a baby. (AP)
PM Netanyahu will reportedly sign a deal [9] forming a new government [10] today, but many observers don't expect many policy changes [11]. (AP/CSM)
Egyptian media blame Hamas for the killing of 16 Egyptian soldiers [12] last year, which the group angrily denies. (AP)
The chairman of the magazine that published the story dismisses Hamas threats of a lawsuit [13]. (Ma'an)
The IMF says the Palestinian financial situation is "increasingly perilous." [14] (Reuters)
Obama assures Israelis the US will not allow Iran to possess a nuclear weapon [15]. (Reuters)
The Palestinian Chief Justice says there is no basis whatsoever in Islam for justifying "honor killings." [16] (Ma'an)
The influential Qatar-based Islamist cleric Yusuf al-Qaradawi may visit Gaza [17]. (Ha'aretz)
Palestinian sources say the rift between Hamas and Fatah has never been this severe [18]. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Islamic Jihad says it intends to run [19], for the first time, in any future Palestinian elections. (Al Monitor)
UC San Diego's student government joins other UC student bodies in urging university divestment [20] from companies involved in Israel's occupation. (Los Angeles Times)
COMMENTARY:
ATFP Pres. Ziad Asali [21] puts Obama's upcoming trip to the region in its broader context. (Huffington Post)
Aluf Benn [22] looks at two new books about the political role of Israel's military. (Foreign Affairs)
Uri Blau [23] profiles life, mores and mentalities in an Israeli settlement in the occupied West Bank. (Ha'aretz)
Larry Derfner [24]says slandering Israel's critics as "anti-Semites" is a conscious effort to suppress criticism of its actions. (Ha'aretz)
Uri Savir [25]says Israel's security is linked to Palestinian independence and regional stability. (Jerusalem Post)
French ambassador Christophe Bigot [26] tells Israelis their sense of apparent calm is illusory. (Jerusalem Post)
David Harris [27]says Obama's trip to Israel could be a milestone in bilateral relations. (Ha'aretz)
Jeffrey Goldberg [28] asks why Obama is going to Israel now. (Bloomberg)
The Daily Star [29] hopes Obama's trip will not be an exercise in "political tourism." (The Daily Star)
Lara Friedman [30] critiques Dennis Ross' 14 point peace plan issued last week. (Daily Beast/Open Zion)
Brent Sasley [31] tries to explain who got what in Israel's new coalition deal. (Daily Beast/Open Zion)
The Economist [32] says there is no alternative to a two-state solution and those looking for one are kidding themselves. (The Economist)