NEWS:
The chorus of opposition [1] in Israel to Palestinian statehood is growing quickly. (AFP)
A leading PLO official says immediate resumption of negotiations [2] with Israel is unlikely. (Xinhua)
The return of Arab Idol winner Mohammed Assaf [3] delights most Palestinians in Gaza, but Hamas is still uneasy about the "un-Islamic" program and his songs. (New York Times)
Assaf urges Palestinian unity [4]. (AP)
PM Erdogan once again says [5] he will pay a "surprise visit" to Gaza sometime soon. (Xinhua)
Israel's coalition parties are unable to agree [6] on a draft bill defining Israel as a "Jewish state." (Jerusalem Post)
The Israeli military announces it will confiscate more Palestinian land [7] near Nablus. (Ma'an)
25 Israeli authors petition the High Court [8] against plans to evict 1000 Palestinians [9] from their homes south of Hebron. (Times of Israel/Daily Beast–Open Zion)
Israeli settlers attack vehicles and torch fields [10] near Nablus and assault Israeli human rights activists [11] near Qalqiliya. (Ma'an)
Israeli leaders warn against attacks [12] from Syria on the occupied Golan Heights. (AP)
Israel will reopen Gaza crossings [13] today. (Xinhua)
Bedouins in Israel are infuriated [14] by a proposed mass relocation law. (Xinhua)
Israel is now the world's sixth biggest arms exporter [15]. (Xinhua)
Hamas leader Hanniyeh reiterates that his organization will never recognize Israel [16]. (Ma'an)
The Arab Bank asks the US Supreme Court to cancel a lawsuit [17] holding it responsible for actions by Hamas and Hezbollah. (Jerusalem Post)
The latest figures from the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics shows a slight increase in imports and exports [18] in April. (PNN)
Israel's far right wing deputy DM Danon is elected [19] president of the ruling Likud party convention. (Ha'aretz)
Arab citizens feel left out [20] of the sentiments contained in Israel's national anthem. (The Media Line)
McDonald's reportedly refuses to open a branch in an Israeli settlement [21] in the occupied West Bank. (Jerusalem Post)
An amusement park in Gaza [22] caters especially to the children of those killed, wounded or arrested by Israel. (Al Monitor)
COMMENTARY:
Asharq Al-Awsat interviews King Abdullah of Jordan [23], who warns of another Palestinian uprising of peace talks fail. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Aaron David Miller [24] says Kerry has an outside chance at advancing Middle East peace, but only if PM Netanyahu and Pres. Abbas cooperate. (Foreign Affairs)
Ha'aretz [25] says Netanyahu has to prove that he's really interested in holding negotiations, and not just talking about them. (Ha'aretz)
Zvi Bar'el [26] says Netanyahu wants to ensure peace negotiations never even begin. (Ha'aretz)
Shaul Rosenfeld [27] says Israel has to face the possibility that the conflict with the Palestinians may be irresolvable. (YNet)
Nahum Barnea [28] says negotiations with the Palestinians are vital for Israel. (YNet)
The Jerusalem Post [29] says Kerry should listen to Israel's concerns about resuming peace negotiations with the Palestinians. (Jerusalem Post)
Dov Waxman [30] says there is little chance most Jewish-Americans will heed Sec. Kerry's call to be helpful on peace. (Ha'aretz)
Zalman Shoval [31] says Kerry will find that it is the Palestinian, and not the Israeli, leadership that lacks the will for peace. (Jerusalem Post)
Uri Resnick [32] insists that Israel actually has a fairly good record of international philanthropy. (Los Angeles Times)
David Horovitz interviews Canadian FM Baird [33] about relations with Israel. (Times of Israel)
Shlomi Eldar [34] says "price tag" attacks on Palestinians are the result of official leniency towards Jewish extremists. (Al Monitor)
Meir Javedanfar [35] says Netanyahu needs a new Iran policy following the reformist victory in that country's recent elections. (Al Monitor)
Brent Sasley [36] says, no matter how obstreperous he might be, everyone has no choice but to work with Netanyahu. (Daily Beast/Open Zion)
Maysoon Zayid [37] looks at Assaf's rise from underdog to idol. (Daily Beast/Open Zion)
Deema Alsaafin [38] says politicizing Assaf's victory is highly problematic. (SMPalestine)
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