News:
PM Netanyahu says he does not want a bi-national state. [1] (Xinhua)
Netanyahu makes [2] a surprise visit to Jordan. [3] (AP/Los Angeles Times)
Israel strikes Gaza [4]after militants fire rockets injuring five people. [5] (AP/Ma’an)
The Palestinian film “Omar” is nominated for an Oscar. [6] (Ha’aretz)
Netanyahu reportedly held an offshore bank account in the Channel Islands [7] from 1999-2003. (Ynet)
Fatah calls on Hamas [8] to respond to its reconciliation proposal. (Ma’an)
Israel’s security agency Shin Bet thwarts an alleged Hamas plot [9] to kidnap Israelis. (Xinhua)
Israeli occupation forces detain three Hamas leaders [10] in Hebron. (Ma’an)
Israeli activists release giant helium balloons [11] to protest settler attacks against Palestinians. (AP/Ha’aretz)
Protesters demonstrate in Bethlehem [12]in support of striking UNRWA employees. (PNN)
The latest Congressional spending bill includes $3.1 billion [13] for Israel. (JTA)
Israel bans the use of the word "Nazi" [14] as an epithet and use of Holocaust-related symbols in non-educational contexts. (The New York Times)
An Egyptian official says 90% of voters [15] have approved the constitution. (AP)
A car bomb in Lebanon close to the Syrian border kills three people [16]. (AP)
The trial of the four men [17] accused of murdering former Lebanese PM Hariri has begun at The Hague. (BBC)
Iran offers [18] to withdraw its forces and Hezbollah’s from Syria in an effort to mend relations with Saudi Arabia. (Jordan Times)
The UN says an Al-Qaeda-inspired group in Syria is committing mass executions [19]. (AP)
The war in Syria triggers a spike in gun sales [20] in Jordan. (AFP)
Security officials suspect Al-Qaeda militants attacked [21]a military camp in Yemen, killing at least 12 soldiers. [22] (AP/Xinhua)
The future King of Bahrain meets with top Shiite opposition [23]leaders. (AP)
Iran invites [24] Gulf states to visit a nuclear power plant. (AFP)
Commentary:
Ha'aretz [25]asks if DM Ya'alon's harsh comments about Sec. Kerry are shared by Netanyahu. (Ha’aretz)
Ari Shavit [26] says Ya’alon’s comments show he doesn’t understand the real threat to Israel is losing the US. (Ha’aretz)
Zvi Bar'el [27] says Israel should drop "God" from its politics and treat Palestinians and the US as partners for peace. (Ha’aretz)
George Hishmeh [28] says the US should twist Israel’s arm to reach a peace deal with the Palestinians. (The Gulf News)
Akiva Eldar [29] says FM Lieberman's plan for relocating Palestinian citizens of Israel has no demographic or strategic value. (Al Monitor)
Ali Gharib [30] says Menendez-Kirk bill supporters on the Hill will suffer in future elections if they cause a war with Iran. (Ha’aretz)
Peter Beinart [31] says the Menendez-Kirk bill is about ending all possibility of a nuclear deal with Iran. (Ha’aretz)
Mustafa Barghouthi [32] expresses dismay at Quartet envoy Blair’s praise of late PM Sharon. (Ha’aretz)
Elka Looks [33] says the Jewish-American community should counter BDS and educate for a two-state solution. (Ha’aretz)
Yitzhak Klein [34] says suspension of due process is not a proper remedy for the incompetence of Israel’s police. (The Jerusalem Post)
Eyad Abu Shakra [35] says the aim of the Geneva II conference is to end the revolution in Syria and rehabilitate Assad. (Asharq Alawsat)
The National [36] advocates for a political solution to the conflict in Syria, and says a military option is now impossible. (The National)
David Cortright [37]says Iran must be allowed to play a role in the Geneva II peace talks. (CS Monitor)
David Bukay [38]says the Middle East region and the international arena will pay for Obama’s “tragic” policies. (The Jerusalem Post)
David Ignatius [39] says in the future the US will be less vulnerable to Middle East turmoils because of its prudent energy policy. (The Daily Star)
Rami Khouri [40] says the Special Tribunal for Lebanon should be judged on its merits. (The Daily Star)
The Jordan Times [41] says by asking Jordan’s King to mediate with Saudi Arabia, Iran seems to be opening a new page with the Arab world. (Jordan Times)
Francis Matthew [42] says the UAE is a model for other Arab states to follow. (The Gulf News)