NEWS:
The first round [1] of new Israeli-Palestinian negotiations ends in Washington in a somber mood. (Ha'aretz)
As an adjunct to the talks, US Gen. John Allen [2] is reportedly already on the ground working on security-related issues [3]. (Jerusalem Post/UPI)
Sec. Kerry reportedly tells members of Congress Israel is likely to retain 85% of settlement blocs [4] in any agreement. (PNN)
EU foreign policy chief Ashton says a peace [5] agreement is possible. (AFP)
Pres. Peres says there is no alternative [6] to peace. (AFP)
Many analysts [7] and ordinary people [8] are deeply pessimistic [9] about the prospects for success in the new negotiations. (AFP/BBC/The National)
There seems little enthusiasm or expectations [10] for the talks in Ramallah. (Times of Israel)
PM Netanyahu may be seeking to buy time [11] in a troubled Middle East through the negotiations. (Reuters)
Israel is justifying its planned eviction of 1,300 Palestinians [12] in the West Bank to save time and money for occupation forces. (Ha'aretz)
Iran is strengthening [13] its links with Islamic Jihad [14] in Gaza. (New York Times/Los Angeles Times)
The fuel crisis [15] in Gaza is intensifying [16]. (YNet/The Media Line)
Gaza youths [17] are seeking to improve their lives by establishing various clubs. (Al Monitor)
Hamas says it has documents proving that Fatah has been engaged in an "incitement" campaign [18] against them in Egypt. (Ma'an)
The PA religious affairs minister calls for the people of Gaza to rise up against Hamas [19] rule. (UPI)
The PA calls for an investigation into comments by Israeli Economy Minister Bennett that he "killed a lot of Arabs in my life." [20] (Ma'an)
An Israeli military legal advisor justifies the arrest of a five-year-old [21] Palestinian boy. (Jerusalem Post)
Israeli Foreign Ministry officials end a four-month-long [22] strike. (Xinhua)
American officials say additional Israeli strikes on Syria [23] are likely because some targeted missiles remain intact. (New York Times)
A Jewish Israeli man [24] is indicted on charges of spying for Iran [25]. (YNet/Jerusalem Post)
Palestinians increasingly seek employment in the high-tech industry [26]. (Christian Science Monitor)
Netanyahu may nix a lucrative Israeli-European deal [27] over recent EU guidelines about Israel's occupation. (Jerusalem Post)
Israelis and Palestinians are seeking cooperation in food trucks [28]. (Ha'aretz)
Debra Kamin profiles a Brooklyn-born weapons instructor who is training settlers to use weapons [29]. (Foreign Policy)
COMMENTARY:
David Ignatius [30] says Kerry may have trapped the sides into needing to make a deal. (Washington Post)
Raphael Ahren [31] says Netanyahu will now have to actually start negotiating about hitherto taboo subjects like Jerusalem. (Times of Israel)
Orly Azoulay [32] says Pres. Obama may be keeping a distance now, but at some point he will have to engage the negotiations directly if they are to succeed. (YNet)
The Daily Star [33] says Obama's hands-off attitude may reflect his own skepticism about the prospects for success. (The Daily Star)
Andrew Hammond [34] says Obama might be looking for a long-term legacy in Middle East peace. (Gulf News
Michael Young [35] questions Obama's ability to succeed in any major foreign policy endeavor, including Middle East peace. (The Daily Star)
Ron Kampeas [36] says Middle East turmoil and pessimism about the future are driving Kerry's urgency on peace. (JTA)
J.J. Goldberg [37] tries to read the body language of Israeli and Palestinian negotiators. (The Forward)
The National [38] asks if Israel is willing to listen to friendly advice from new US Special Envoy Indyk. (The National)
Bloomberg [39] says the new negotiations are fine, but they shouldn't be branded as the discredited "peace process." (Bloomberg)
Aaron David Miller [40] outlines the steps Kerry must take for talks to succeed. (Politico)
Jeffrey Goldberg [41] says he doesn't believe a final status agreement is possible and hopes a "Plan B," such as an interim agreement, is on the cards. (Bloomberg)
Jonathan Cook [42] says if peace talks fail they will intensify the crisis facing Palestinians. (The National)
Daniel Nisman [43] says a weakened Hamas can now be pressured into choosing between moderating or collapsing altogether. (Christian Science Monitor)
Ari Shavit [44] says, for the talks to succeed, US officials must show pragmatism and creativity. (Ha'aretz)
Natasha Gill [45] says Israelis need to accept that Palestinians will never embrace the Zionist historical narrative. (Ha'aretz)
Gershon Baskin [46] says negotiations must be explicit and terms clearly understood by both sides. (Jerusalem Post)
Oved Yehezkel [47] says a referendum is no substitute for leadership on peace. (Ha'aretz)
Stephen Walt [48] says real Middle East peace requires magnanimity from both sides, especially Israel. (Foreign Policy)
Akiva Eldar [49] says Netanyahu might have rejoined negotiations mainly to court American support regarding Iran. (Al Monitor)
Ha'aretz [50] says the most dangerous racism in Israel is the unnoticed discrimination against Arabs built into daily life. (Ha'aretz)
Jeremy Harding [51] says life under occupation makes even book festivals difficult for Palestinians. (The Guardian)
Shlomi Eldar [52] says now that Israel isn't seen as directly responsible for the latest crisis in Gaza, few care about it. (Al Monitor)