NEWS:
PM Netanyahu distances himself [1] from a joint statement with Poland that endorses "a two-state solution" and says "unilateral steps by either party are counterproductive." [2] (Ha'aretz/Times of Israel)
Meretz MK Gal-On says Netanyahu's backtracking on the statement with Poland shows he's no partner for peace [3]. (Jerusalem Post)
UK officials warn Israel faces increased international isolation [4] if new US peace efforts fail. (Jerusalem Post)
Netanyahu forbids Likud ministers [5] from attending the launch of a Knesset pro-settlement caucus. (Ha'aretz)
For years Britain has refused to provide Israel with some military equipment [6], on the grounds it might add to "internal repression" and damage regional stability. (Ha'aretz)
The new Palestinian cabinet discusses [7] the deepening PA financial crisis [8]. (Xinhua/Jerusalem Post)
A "temporary" ban on Palestinians living in Israel with their spouses [9] enters its 10th year. (AP)
The UN human rights investigator for the Palestinian territories, Richard Falk, rebuffs calls for him to resign [10] over criticism of Israel's abuse of Palestinians "on a massive scale." [11] (Reuters/BBC)
Palestinians claim Israeli occupation forces made a Muslim Palestinian drink wine at gunpoint [12]. (Ma'an)
Austrian UN peacekeepers begin their pullout [13] from the Golan Heights, although the UN asked them for more time [14] to prepare. (AP/Reuters)
The Israeli military says, with arms from Iran being withheld, Hamas is looking for new sources of weapons [15]. (Times of Israel)
PA and Egyptian officials discuss Hamas' alleged involvement in prison breaks [16] during the Egyptian uprising in 2011. (Ma'an)
Sec. Hagel and DM Yaalon will meet [17] this week. (JTA)
The City Council of Boulder, Colorado, rejects a proposal [18] to become a sister city with Nablus. (JTA)
COMMENTARY:
Ali Ayyad [19] says, as with many other Palestinians, Israel is using its 1950 Absentee Property Law to steal his land. (Ha'aretz)
Shlomo Sand [20] says he remains committed to a two-state solution despite allegations to the contrary. (Ha'aretz)
Bradley Burston [21] says the end of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state might be nearer even than Leon Wieseltier fears. (Ha'aretz)
Shimon Shiffer [22] says Tzipi Livni will eventually realize she can't be the fig leaf for the current Israeli government's pretense of wanting a two-state solution. (YNet)
Brent Sasley [23] says Livni's threat to leave the government is misguided and empty. (Daily Beast/Open Zion)
Brent Sasley [24] also says Israel's "kitchen cabinet" style internal negotiations lead to foreign-policy blunders. (The Atlantic)
Asmaa al-Ghoul [25] says Hamas is struggling to balance its ideology with the practical realities of governance. (Al Monitor)
Elhanan Miller [26] says Israel's peace with Egypt and Jordan is growing even colder. (Times of Israel)
Gil Troy [27] says Samantha Power’s nomination for UN Amb. is another indication of the Obama Administration's new "tough love" approach to Israel. (Jerusalem Post)
Stuart Reigeluth [28] says Israel is too committed to war to accept a promising new chance for peace. (Gulf News)
Timon Dias [29] says the EU doesn't understand it's actually the Palestinians who don't want peace. (Jerusalem Post)
Abeer Ayyoub [30] says Israeli travel restrictions keep Palestinian couples apart. (Al Monitor)
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