NEWS:
Planned Israeli settlement construction [1] in occupied East Jerusalem will complicate prospects for peace. (New York Times)
PM Netanyahu forms a new government [2]with a key ally, who is noted for being cautious on Iran, as new defense minister [3]. (AP/Reuters)
Netanyahu reportedly orders a quiet freeze on all settlement construction [4] during Pres. Obama's upcoming visit. (Daily Beast)
Israel's new housing minister pledges more settlement building soon [5], as the settler movement is seen as seizing control [6]of Israel's housing policies. (Reuters/Ha'aretz)
Settlers say they are pleased [7] with the new government. (YNet)
Palestinians are increasingly frustrated [8] with Obama's inaction on settlements. (Xinhua)
The new Israeli coalition agreement calls for a controversial Basic Law bill that would make the Israel's democratic character subservient to its Jewish character [9]. (Ha'aretz)
Obama's Middle East trip is said to be intended to contain tensions [10] rather than present new solutions [11]. (AP/Los Angeles Times)
Palestinians say they are trying to keep their expectations for Obama's visit realistic [12]. (Xinhua) Israelis intensify their efforts to press Obama for the release of convicted spy Jonathan Pollard [13]. (New York Times)
Pres. Abbas reiterates that Palestinians should not engage in armed struggle [14]. (Jerusalem Post)
14 Palestinians and one Jordanian die in a traffic accident, [15] and the bodies of the victims [16] are returned to the West Bank. (Xinhua/Ma'an)
A Hamas activist nicknamed "the mother of martyrs" passes away [17]. (AP)
Former FM Lieberman says Israeli occupation forces should open fire on stone-throwing [18] Palestinian protesters. (Jerusalem Post)
Israeli occupation forces arrest 17 Palestinians [19] in the occupied West Bank on Saturday. (Ma'an)
Egypt deports seven Palestinians [20] back to Gaza "for security reasons." (AP)
A hunger striking Palestinian prisoner cuts a deal [21] with Israeli authorities, ends his fast, and is released to Gaza. (AP)
Hamas leader Hanniyeh claims relations with Egypt are "strong." [22] (Ma'an)
Israel may cut funding for Jewish-Arab dialogue [23] initiatives. (Ha'aretz)
Palestinians complaining to Israeli occupation authorities about alleged "price tag" arson attacks find themselves arrested [24] on charges of fabricating the event. (YNet)
A new poll suggests a large majority of Americans [25] don't want their country to take the lead on the Israeli-Palestinian peace process. (Jerusalem Post)
COMMENTARY:
Hussein Ibish [26] explains why Israeli settlement activity is strictly prohibited by international law. (Daily Beast/Open Zion)
Ben Ehrenreich [27] looks at tensions in the village of Nabi Saleh in the occupied West Bank as a possible flashpoint for a third intifada. (New York Times)
Aaron David Miller [28] suggests how to fix the Obama-Netanyahu relationship. (Washington Post)
Ben Caspit [29]imagines what the Obama-Netanyahu conversation would sound like if they told each other the truth. (Al Monitor)
J.J. Goldberg [30] says Obama and Netanyahu need each other. (The Forward)
Jonathan Freedland [31] says Obama should not be a tourist and must take a message to Israel. (The Guardian)
Daniel Levy [32] says Obama should take the opportunity to try to understand Israel's complex politics. (Ha'aretz)
Barbara Opall-Rome [33] says the "Free Pollard" campaign is "a disgrace to American Zionists." (Ha'aretz)
Tamar Hermann [34] notes that Israelis are oddly indifferent to Obama's visit. (YNet)
Uzi Benziman [35] says the public has the right to know who is paying for the settlements, and by how much. (Ha'aretz)
Maskit Bendel [36] says that Palestinian-only bus lines are just a symptom of total segregation in the occupied West Bank. (YNet)
Aluf Benn [37] says if Israeli leftists want to be effective, they need to connect with Israel's mainstream. (Ha'aretz)
The Forward [38]says efforts to make Israel even more of a special case in US foreign relations, this time with regard to aid and sequesters, can backfire. (The Forward)
Musa Keilani [39]says Jordan will have to scrutinize the new Israeli coalition and its policies very closely. (Jordan Times)