NEWS:
A visit by PM Netanyahu to a Jewish settlement [1] on the eve of Sec. Kerry's visit highlights various challenges facing the peace process [2]. (New York Times/Washington Post)
Israeli officials say [3] they will make "goodwill" concessions [4] to Palestinians after Kerry's visit. (Xinhua/Times of Israel)
Kerry is reportedly hoping to host a meeting [5] this week between Netanyahu and Pres. Abbas. (YNet)
Abbas says he intends to resume negotiations [6] with Israel in the near future, though some PA officials deny [7] this. (Ma'an/Times of Israel)
Israeli media reports suggest Netanyahu is considering a settlement freeze and prisoner release [8] in preparation for renewed negotiations. (PNN)
PA officials ask Israel to release 120 Palestinian prisoners [9] as a "goodwill gesture." (Jerusalem Post)
Netanyahu urges Palestinians to negotiate [10] until the conflict is resolved, but says talks must be meaningful [11]. (Ha'aretz/Times of Israel)
Israeli cabinet minister and political leader Bennett says peace would lead to violence [12]. (Times of Israel)
Mohammad Assaf [13], winner of this year's Arab Idol TV singing contest, receives a hero's welcome back in Gaza [14], including from the once-unenthusiastic Hamas [15]. (AP/Ma'an/The Economist)
Assaf calls Abbas [16] to thank him for his support. (PNN)
Israel reopens a checkpoint near Nablus [17] after shots were fired at a settler bus. (Ma'an)
Israel keeps Gaza crossings closed [18] for a second day. (Ma'an)
Egypt is intensifying its crackdown [19] on Gaza smuggling tunnels. (Reuters)
The Knesset approves the first reading of a bill for a massive resettlement of Bedouins [20]. (Xinhua)
12 Palestinians [21] are reported to have been killed in Syria last week. (PNN)
A senior Hamas figure says overthrowing Assad has priority [22] over "jihad in Palestine." (Jerusalem Post)
Fatah [23], Hamas [24] and other Palestinian groups are refusing to get involved in sectarian fighting in southern Lebanon. (Times of Israel/Al Monitor)
Hamas says it has held more talks with Islamic Jihad [25] in order to continue to try to reduce tensions. (Xinhua)
Palestinians say settlers assault local shepherds [26] in the occupied West Bank. (PNN)
The Archbishop of Canterbury [27] will visit Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories soon. (The Guardian)
COMMENTARY:
Michael Wilner [28] says Kerry's return to the region shows he's doubling down on peace efforts. (Jerusalem Post)
The AP [29] says other US officials are trying to "rein in" Kerry's ambitious foreign policy initiatives, including on Israeli-Palestinian peace. (AP)
Daniel Gavron [30] says there just isn't enough popular support for peace in the Israeli public for Kerry to work with. (Daily Beast/Open Zion)
Noga Tarnopolsky interviews chief Israeli negotiator Livni [31]. (Global Post)
Orni Petruschka [32] says Israel should stop bothering to negotiate and start taking constructive unilateral actions. (Ha'aretz)
Avi Issacharoff [33] agrees that Islamic Jihad's new rocket attacks on Israel are part of its feud with Hamas. (Times of Israel)
Zafrir Rinat and Jonathan Lis [34] explain Israel's new Bedouin resettlement law. (Ha'aretz)
Amos Harel [35] says Israel's military learned important lessons during the last Gaza war. (Ha'aretz)
Moshe Arens [36] says there is a huge spectrum of racism against Arabs in Israel, not restricted to "price tag" attacks. (Ha'aretz)
Arad Nir [37] asks if the Turkish regime is trying to use Israel as a scapegoat for ongoing social unrest. (Al Monitor)
Akiva Eldar [38] says Abbas and the whole world are letting Netanyahu make a mockery of the peace process by not challenging him. (Al Monitor)
Bernard Avishai [39] says Israeli-Palestinian business cooperation actually could help advance peace. (Daily Beast/Open Zion)
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