Daily News Issue Date:
August 2, 2013
News:
NEWS:
Pres. Obama [1] has telephone calls [2] with Pres. Abbas and PM Netanyahu [3]. (Reuters/AFP/Ha'aretz)
Netanyahu and Obama reportedly agree to continue to coordinate [4] over peace talks with the Palestinians. (Xinhua)
A new Gallup poll [5] shows Palestinians see peace as crucial to their future but are skeptical about the new talks. (Gallup)
Both Israelis and Palestinians are facing significant internal resistance [6] to new negotiations. (Reuters)
Israel is opening a checkpoint in Hebron [7] for the first time in 12 years as a "goodwill gesture." (Al Monitor)
Journalists in Gaza protest [8] against Hamas closures of several key media outlets. (Ma'an)
The Palestinian Cabinet condemns [11] Israel's decision to block EU projects in "Area C" and Gaza. (PNN)
Israeli diplomats [12] disavow responsibility for being caught off guard [13] by the EU occupation guidelines. (Ha'aretz/Times of Israel)
Netanyahu and other Israeli MKs have an argument with Arab MKs over "who was there first. [14]" (Jerusalem Post)
Iran's new president describes Israel as "an old wound," [15] which should be removed. (AP)
The BBC looks at Iran's annual "Jerusalem Day." [16] (BBC)
Toronto bans a "Jerusalem Day" [17] that has been held there in recent years. (The Forward)
Netanyahu welcomes [18] new American sanctions on Iran. (Xinhua)
US embassies [19], including in Israel and across the Middle East, will be closed this Sunday for security reasons. (Xinhua)
West Bank water shortages [20] force Palestinians to "lease" land from Israeli settlers. (Ha'aretz)
An Australian comedian satirizes the peace process [21] in Jerusalem performances. (The Media Line)
Hamas warns of a "humanitarian crisis [22]" in Gaza if the crossing with Egypt is not reopened. (Ahram Online)
Egypt's smuggling tunnel mass closures spell economic, and possibly political, disaster for Hamas [23]. (Spiegel Online)
Ha'aretz profiles the family and experiences of a long-standing Palestinian prisoner [24] in Israel. (Ha'aretz)
COMMENTARY:
ATFP intern Rachel Bessette [25] asks if Israelis are going to listen to their own security professionals who are unanimous that a two-state solution is essential. (Daily Beast/Open Zion)
Michael Cohen [26] says Israel seems to be waking up to the fact that it has to choose between international isolation or ending the occupation. (The Guardian)
Stacie Goddard [27] says referenda can be crucial to the success of peace agreements. (New York Times)
Nathan Guttman [28] says vehement criticism from both sides probably means Martin Indyk is a good choice for Special Envoy. (The Forward)
Claude Salhani [29] also thinks Indyk might be up to a tough job. (Huffington Post)
Shlomi Eldar [30] says it's necessary to fight off pessimism if peace talks are to succeed. (Al Monitor)
Frida Ghitis [31] is fairly pessimistic. (Miami Herald)
Alan Berger [32] says the parties have no option other than a two-state solution. (Boston Globe)
The Philadelphia Inquirer [33] says Israeli-Palestinian peace isn't a Middle East panacea but it would be a huge step forward. (Philadelphia Inquirer)
Daniel Levy [34] says, if the US really wants Middle East peace, it probably needs a new Israeli leadership and PM. (Ha'aretz)
Arnaud de Borchgrave [35] says Netanyahu doesn't trust his chief negotiator, and she doesn't trust him. (UPI)
George Hishmeh [36] says the American negotiating team needs more balance. (Jordan Times)
Maysoon Zayid [37] says Palestinian prisoners are used as pawns in the peace process. (Daily Beast/Open Zion)
Sayed Kashua [38] says he yearns for the day when he won't be embarrassed to say openly he is a Palestinian citizen of Israel. (Ha'aretz)
Mazal Mualem interviews extremist Likud MK Gamliel [39], a strident opponent of peace. (Al Monitor)
Einat Wilf [40] says some Israelis and Palestinians are attached to the status quo and feel threatened by peace talks. (Al Monitor)
Daniel Weinberg [41] mocks the idea that Israel needs to make more concessions to the Palestinians. (Jerusalem Post)
Haviv Rettig Gur [42] says a new Israeli electoral reform plan is actually a blessing in disguise for Arab citizens. (Times of Israel)
Ehud Yaari [43] thinks Hamas may be losing its grip on Gaza. (WINEP)
Arad Nir [44] says Turkey is stalling on reconciliation with Israel. (Al Monitor)
Gordon Lubold [45] looks at how Sec. Hegel, once criticized by pro-Israel groups, is now considered a great friend. (Foreign Policy)
Bill Van Esveld [46] says everyone is abusing Palestinians' human rights. (Human Rights Watch)
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