News:
Sec. Kerry meets PM Netanyahu [1] to try to advance peace talks [2]. (AP/AFP)
Kerry is pushing both sides [3] on the new American security proposal. (Washington Post)
Pres. Abbas reportedly explains his concerns [4] about US security proposal to Kerry. (Xinhua)
Kerry may be pushing for a summit meeting [5] between Netanyahu and Abbas. (Times of Israel)
Kerry's mission is taking place amid a rapidly changing regional landscape [6]. (Wall Street Journal)
The EU reportedly proposes massive incentives [7] including billions of euros to Israel and the Palestinians to make peace. (Ha'aretz)
Other European measures are rekindling Israeli fears of widespread boycotts [8]. (Financial Times)
After a massive outcry [9] from many quarters, Israel postpones plans [10] for mass forced Bedouin relocation [11]. (New York Times/AP/Times of Israel)
1,000 Bedouins are still facing eviction [12] in the Negev desert. (AFP)
A Palestinian teenager is indicted [13] for stabbing an Israeli soldier. (Times of Israel)
Israeli and Palestinian officials agree to coordinate civilian emergency responses [14]. (Jerusalem Post)
Palestinians express concern that divisions between nationalists and Islamists [15] become almost permanent. (AP)
Hamas cancels all anniversary celebrations [16] due to terrible finances and weather conditions. (Ma'an)
Arab foreign ministers will meet [17] in Cairo on December 21 to discuss the Palestinian issue. (Xinhua)
The EU and Israel finalize a new air traffic agreement [18]. (Ha'aretz)
Hillel's leadership insists it will enforce limitations [19] on free speech despite the recent vote at Swarthmore. (JTA)
The White House announces new list [20] of Iranian companies to be targeted [21] by existing sanctions. (New York Times/AP)
Iran criticizes [22] the new sanctions list. (Xinhua)
UN says chemical weapons [23] have been repeatedly used in Syria [24]. (New York Times/AP)
Former CIA chief Hayden says a victory for Pres. Assad in Syria is "the best [25]of three very bad outcomes." (AFP)
Many are feared killed [26] in a rebel attack near Damascus. (AP)
Syrian refugees in Jordan complain [27] about bad and worsening conditions. (Xinhua)
A film critiquing the Saudi Royal family [28] opens in Damascus. (AP)
A drone strike in Yemen kills 11 people [29], including Al Qaeda suspects and civilians. (New York Times)
Drone strikes in Yemen are gaining Al Qaeda new sympathy [30]. (Reuters)
22 inmates reportedly escape [31] prison in Iraq in a violent breakout [32]. (AP/Reuters)
Egyptian DM Sisi reportedly says of the late Pres. Sadat appeared to him in a dream [33]. (Times of Israel)
Tunisian parties agree [34] on a new prime minister to lead a caretaker government. (BBC)
A new report suggests the Arab film industry operating well below its potential [35]. (Xinhua)
Saudi Arabia's grand mufti deems suicide bombers "criminals." [36] (AFP)
Turkey reaches out to Armenia [37] but offers no apology. (Al Monitor)
Commentary:
Jonathan Brown [38] says Palestinians can't go running anymore without fear of getting shot by Israeli soldiers. (The Economist)
Mustafa Barghouti [39] explains what Nelson Mandela meant to the Palestinian people. (Foreign Policy)
The Daily Star [40] says the US needs to show that it can start to stand up to Israel on peace. (The Daily Star)
Matthew Kalman [41] satirizes the peace process as if it were a Hollywood film. (Daily Beast)
Roy Isacowitz [42] says if Netanyahu is sincerely praising Mandela, he knows where that logic leads. (Ha'aretz)
Zvi Hauser [43] looks at new difficulties regarding a possible Israeli withdrawal from the occupied Syrian Golan Heights. (Ha'aretz)
Nathan Guttman [44] says the American Studies Association vote supporting boycotting Israel is symbolically important but will have little practical impact. (The Forward)
Yossi Alpher [45] looks at how regional dynamics are affecting Israeli-Palestinian peace prospects. (NOREF)
Paul Adams [46] says the rise of Syrian Islamists is causing many to rethink the future of Assad. (BBC)
Asharq Al-Awsat interviews Syrian opposition's interim government PM Tu’mah [47]. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
James Denselow [48] says the US can't do much to stop the fighting in Syria until it develops a grand strategy for the region. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Andrew Parasiliti interviews Samy Gemayel [49] about Hezbollah's intervention in Syria and its impact in Lebanon. (Al Monitor)
Nasser Chararah [50] says Lebanon's northern city of Tripoli has become a microcosm of the Syrian conflict. (Al Monitor)
Lally Weymouth interviews Tunisian politicians Rachid Ghannouchi [51] and Beji Caid Essebsi [52]. (Washington Post)
The CSM [53] notes that senior Muslim clerics are becoming more angrily outspoken against suicide bombings. (Christian Science Monitor)
The Gulf News [54] says Gulf states are right to welcome Iran's new, more "moderate" posture. (Gulf News)
Alan Philps [55] says Russia is in no position to become a major player in the Middle East. (The National)