NEWS:
Activists say three more Palestinians have been killed in Syria [1], in addition to 32 last week [2]. (Ma'an/PNN)
Israel's new government is sending mixed messages on peace [3] with the Palestinians. (AP)
Israel apparently will not have a permanent foreign minister [4] for several months until the conclusion of former FM Lieberman's trial. (Ha'aretz)
Israeli anti-settlement activists say plans for building "Givat HaMatos" in the occupied West Bank are the most dangerous to peace [5]. (IRIN)
A UNHRC fact-finding mission calls Israeli settlement activity "creeping annexation," [6] but the US accuses the body of a "disproportionate focus" [7] on Israel. (Jerusalem Post/)
PM Netanyahu says Israel is ready for "historic compromises" [8]with the Palestinians. (Washington Post)
Israelis appear wary [9] of Pres. Obama's visit, but say they're willing to listen. (New York Times)
Palestinians are skeptical [10] the trip will result in any additional peace talks. (The National)
Obama's trip will mingle diplomacy and public diplomacy [11]. (Xinhua)
New polls suggest Obama may be becoming slightly more popular [12] in Israel on the eve of his visit. (Reuters)
Many expect Obama to try to reach an understanding with Israel over Iran policy [13]. (New York Times)
Sec. Kerry will return to the region [14] shortly after Obama's trip concludes to discuss prospects for peace negotiations. (Ha'aretz)
Obama is traveling to a new and much changed Middle East, [15] which some think poses perils for his trip. (AP)
Some Palestinians vandalize a banner of Obama [16]. (AP)
PM Fayyad is heading a Palestinian delegation to an international donors meeting [17] in Brussels. (Ma'an)
Lebanese authorities say Israeli warplanes violated Lebanese airspace [18] and dropped flares on Monday. (AP)
Israeli police say Palestinians shot and wounded an Israeli in a drive-by shooting [19] in the occupied West Bank. (AP)
Qatar announces the first phase of a rebuilding project in Gaza [20]. (Ma'an)
Hebrew is being increasingly taught in Gaza [21] schools. (CSM)
Many analysts see the rise of Hamas [22] as a direct consequence of, and threat to, the failing peace process. (USA Today)
Israeli troops demolish six structures [23] in an "unauthorized" settlement outpost. (Xinhua)
Palestinians face a range of difficulties [24] trying to buy and assert their ownership of land. (The Guardian)
Israeli defense experts expect long-term instability [25] from Muslim militants in border regions. (JTA)
COMMENTARY:
The LA Times [26] says despite low expectations, Obama must continue to push for a two-state solution. (Los Angeles Times)
Jeffrey Goldberg interviews Jordan's King Abdullah II [27]. (The Atlantic)
Peter Beinart [28]says Obama needs to charm Israelis, but also to frighten them. (Daily Beast/Open Zion)
Martin Indyk [29] says if Obama can win over the Israeli public, this will be crucial leverage with Netanyahu. (Ha'aretz)
Alon Pinkas [30] says that Obama will discover during his visit that Israelis and Palestinians are not ready for an agreement. (Al Monitor)
The Jerusalem Post [31] thinks new DM Ya'alon will be second only to Netanyahu on defense and security issues. (Jerusalem Post)
Michael Singh [32] says US allies in the Middle East are looking for American leadership. (Washington Post)
Ha'aretz [33] says Israel has just inaugurated a settler government. (Ha'aretz)
Hassan Barari [34]agrees settlers are the big winners in the new Israeli government coalition. (Arab News)
Gregg Carlstrom [35] says Israeli settlers are no longer particularly hostile to, or worried about, Obama. (Al Jazeera)
A Palestinian child [36]writes an open letter to Obama about how settlers took over part of his family's home. (The Guardian)
Diana Pinto [37] says Obama is visiting a Jewish Israeli society that is only looking inward. (The Daily Star)
Eyad Abu Shakra [38] evaluates a recent speech on the "Arab Spring" by Fayyad. (Al Arabiya)