NEWS:
Sec. Kerry concludes [1] his latest trip to the region, saying he had "very positive discussions," [2] and remaining upbeat about new negotiations [3]. (New York Times/LA Times/AP)
Kerry's trip had been extended longer than initially planned [4], but still yielded no breakthrough [5]. (New York Times/Reuters)
The election of extremist Likud leader Danon as party Chair raises further doubts [6] about Israel's commitment to a two-state solution. (AP)
PM Netanyahu vows that any peace agreement must be put to a referendum [7].(Xinhua)
Analysts speculate [8] Kerry may have succeeded in laying the groundwork for future progress [9], as acknowledged by Palestinian [10] officials. (Xinhua)
Pres. Abbas reportedly tells Kerry [11] Israel's "goodwill gestures" thus far are insufficient, but that Americans seem to understand the Palestinian position [12]. (Xinhua/Ha'aretz)
Palestinian officials blame Israel [13] for the lack of resolution on new talks. (UPI)
An Israeli cabinet minister says the timing of prisoner release [14] is one of the remaining sticking points between the parties. (Times of Israel)
Hamas warns [15] against "futile" negotiations with Israel. (Ma'an)
Israel's chief negotiator Livni says European boycotts [16] of settlement products could extend to all Israeli goods. (Jerusalem Post)
Israel is adding additional incentives for prospective tenants of almost 1000 new settler housing units [17] in occupied East Jerusalem. ( AFP)
A Jewish extremist is arrested by Israeli police for desecrating a monastery [18] in the occupied West Bank. (Reuters)
Hamas deploys more forces [19] around the Egyptian border. (Xinhua)
Arab Idol winner Mohammad Assaf will hold three free concerts [20] across the West Bank in July. (Ma'an)
Assaf's success continues to put Hamas in an extremely difficult position [21]. (Al Arabiya)
A new study suggests Israel collects $11 million a year [22] from Palestinians in identity card fees. (PNN)
Prof. Meron Medzini leads historical tours [23] around Israel and the occupied territories. (Christian Science Monitor)
Hussein al-Deik wins the Palestinian "The President" [24] reality TV show. (NPR)
COMMENTARY:
Leonard Fein [25] calls extremist leaders like Danon "Israel's most dangerous enemies." (The Forward)
Ha'aretz [26] calls Israel's settlement and occupation activity in the South Hebron Hills "annexation in disguise." (Ha'aretz)
Yitzhak Laor [27] asks if Israel would have freed Nelson Mandela if he had been a Palestinian. (Ha'aretz)
Sharif Nashashibi [28] says the political vacuum in Ramallah might help focus the attention of the Palestinian people on the need for change. (Al Arabiya)
Ahmed Aldabba [29] explains why he prefers to live in Gaza than in Egypt. (Christian Science Monitor)
The National [30] says Kerry's latest efforts leave little grounds for optimism. (The National)
Barak Ravid [31] says, even if Kerry doesn't succeed in restarting negotiations, he's trying harder than anyone else. (Ha'aretz)
Raphael Ahren [32] says, given Kerry's confidence, either he's afraid of "humiliating failures" or he knows something the rest of us know. (Times of Israel)
The Daily Star [33] accuses Israel of "sabotaging peace." (The Daily Star)
Shlomi Eldar [34] says the Palestinian Interaction Committee was another excellent initiative that failed from the outset. (Al Monitor)
Haviv Rettig Gur [35] says, by placing himself above party politics, PM Netanyahu may have squandered control of the Likud. (Times of Israel)
Amos Harel [36] says the turmoil in the Middle East has reduced the threats Israel, at least for now. (Ha'aretz)
Merav Betito [37] says there's a double standard in Israel for Jewish and Arab convicted felons. (YNet)
Rebecca Rachmany [38] says Israel is, indeed, an apartheid state, and she thinks that's a good thing and that Israelis believe in equality anyway. (Times of Israel)
Bakr Oweida [39] says the success of Mohammed Assaf shows the limitations of Hamas' rule in Gaza. (Asharq Al Awsat)
Amira Hass [40] says Palestinian creativity is flourishing all over, not just through Assaf. (Ha'aretz)
Emily Hauser [41] asks why, since McDonald's settlement boycott is 20 years old, settlers are so upset now. (Daily Beast/Open Zion)
Yossi Mekelberg [42] says, given a continued deadlock, a third intifada is a real possibility, but would be very dangerous for Palestinians. (Al Arabiya)
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