NEWS:
Israel announces 900 more settlement units [1] in and around occupied East Jerusalem. (Al Jazeera)
Israel's new settlement announcements seem to been based on domestic political calculations [2], butcreate a dark mood [3] for renewed negotiations. (New York Times/Reuters)
The US says it is "concerned" [4] about the new "illegitimate" settlement [5] building plans, and the EU says they may make peace "impossible." [6] (Xinhua/AFP)
Despite the dispute over settlements, S [7]ec. Kerry says he is still optimistic [8] [9]about peace talks andurges Palestinians not to overreact [10]. (AP/AFP)
Kerry says he was "not surprised" [11] by Israel's settlement expansion announcements. (Times of Israel)
Kerry reportedly warns PM Netanyahu of a "delegitimization campaign on steroids" [12] if talks fail. (Jerusalem Post)
Pres. Abbas says Palestinians [13] are still committed to peace with Israel through negotiations [14]. (Xinhua/Asharq Al-Awsat)
Hamas says Abbas is "not authorized" [15] to negotiate with Israel and that talks are futile [16]. (Xinhua/AFP)
A new poll suggests Palestinian youths are evenly divided [17] about the new talks and not particularly optimistic [18]. (Xinhua/Times of Israel)
Israeli missile defense systems [19] intercept rockets fired from the Sinai [20] Peninsula. (New York Times/AP/Reuters)
A scheduled Israeli release of Palestinian prisoners [21] is still on track after a court ruling [22], though no date is yet set [23]. (Reuters/Ha'aretz/Ma'an)
Israeli pain [24] is mixed with Palestinian joy [25] regarding upcoming prisoner releases. (AP/Xinhua)
Palestinians report another Palestinian refugee [26] is killed in Syria, bringing the estimated total to 1,472 [27]. (Ma'an/PNN)
Palestinians say Israeli settlers [28] burn land and attack Palestinians near Nablus. (PNN)
A new book outlines the ideology of the extremist settler [29] movement. (Ha'aretz)
Israel and Egypt [30] are demonstrating ever-stronger security coordination. (The Media Line)
Egypt's new government has greatly increased border restrictions [31] with Gaza. (Reuters)
Hamas continues to try to rebuild ties with Iran [32] following the downfall of former Egyptian Pres. Morsi. (Al Monitor)
Israel completes clearing landmines [33] near its Red Sea port of Eilat. (Xinhua)
NPR looks at the complications for Palestinians getting running water [34] in the occupied West Bank. (NPR)
COMMENTARY:
The New York Times [35] says Netanyahu must have the courage not to expand settlements if peace is to have a chance. (New York Times)
Lara Friedman [36] provides a clear timeline on the new negotiations and new settlement announcements. (APN)
The Daily Star [37] says peace and settlements simply do not mix. (The Daily Star)
Ha'aretz [38] says the settlement expansions are a "targeted assassination" of the peace talks. (Ha'aretz)
Mazal Mualem [39] says the new settlement housing units are no real threat to peace. (Al Monitor)
The Economist [40] says the settler movement would probably be a bigger spoiler outside of government. (The Economist)
Nassif Hitti [41] says a forceful American role is essential for peace talks to succeed. (Al Monitor)
Aaron David Miller [42] says Israelis and Palestinians need American middlemen for peace. (Foreign Policy)
Roger Cohen [43] says the one-state dream would actually prove a nightmare in practice. (New York Times)
Niva Lanir [44] says peace based on the 1967 borders is the only way forward. (Ha'aretz)
The LA Times [45] says the controversy over whether non-Jewish Israelis should vote in a referendum on peace is another strain on its democracy. (Los Angeles Times)
Henry Siegman [46] says withdrawing from the occupied territories would enhance Israel's security for more than attacking Iran. (Ha'aretz)
Moshe Arens [47] says a smaller Israel would be too vulnerable. (Ha'aretz)
Elliott Abrams [48] questions whether Israel can rely on American security guarantees. (The Weekly Standard)
The Jerusalem Post [49] interviews former Israeli negotiator Yossi Beilin, who says he is "truly delighted" at the new talks. (Jerusalem Post)
Raphael Ahren [50] says it's hard to imagine what the next step forward on peace will be. (Times of Israel)
Jonathan Marcus [51] says Western diplomats believe Israeli-Palestinian peace is essential. (BBC)
Gershom Gorenberg [52] says Israel's settlement policies are threatening its economic future. (Daily Beast/Open Zion)
Oded Shalom [53] says Upper Nazareth's mayor is running on an openly racist platform. (YNet)
Larry Derfner [54] says Jewish-American should stop ignoring Israel's "everyday racism." (The Forward)
Marc Grey [55] says education can help counteract racism in Israel. (The Forward)
Maysoon Zayid [56] looks at Israel's separate and unequal West Bank "bypass roads." (Daily Beast/Open Zion)
Rachel Shabi [57] says Arabs and Israelis can unite over food, if nothing else. (The Guardian)
Abdalla Khader [58] says Palestinians need elections, not reconciliation between Hamas and Fatah. (Foreign Policy)
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