News:
Fatah considers appointing a deputy [1] to Pres. Abbas. (Times of Israel)
Hamas says it will intensify discussions [2] with Fatah in an effort to promote reconciliation.(Xinhua)
PM Netanyahu [3] will meet Pres. Obama [4] in Washington next month. (Xinhua/Ha’aretz)
The White House reaffirms Obama’s support [5] for Sec. Kerry’s peace efforts. (The Jerusalem Post)
Israeli Economy Minister Bennett claims that well-intentioned peace efforts have the “opposite effect” [6] provoking violence and instability. (Times of Israel)
FM Lieberman praises Kerry’s [7] initiative. (Xinhua)
Israeli security forces are accused of using Palestinian children [8] to gather intelligence. (ABC)
Despite DM Ya’alon’s pledge, unauthorized settlement construction continues [9] in the occupied West Bank. (Ha’aretz)
Israeli ministers reject a controversial bill [10] to annex settlements in the occupied West Bank. (Xinhua)
According to Palestinian factions, a political initiative [11] is underway for rebel fighters to leave the Yarmouk refugee camp in Syria. (Xinhua)
An Israeli military airstrike [12] targeting a Palestinian militant [13] in Gaza leaves two wounded. (AP/The New York Times)
Jewish Israeli “price tag” [14] extremists slash tires [15] and spray graffiti [16] in an Arab neighborhood in Jerusalem. (AP/Ma’an/Ha’aretz)
The PA is planning for an airport [17] in the occupied West Bank and a seaport and railway line [18] in the Gaza strip. (Ma’an/Ynet)
The Syrian [19] peace talks resume [20] in Geneva [21]. (AP/Reuters/The New York Times)
France will introduce a resolution in the UN Security Council to help bring humanitarian aid [22] to the Syrian people. (AP)
A rebel attack on a Syrian Alawite village kills 40 people [23]. (AP)
Egypt accuses the Muslim Brotherhood of forming a military wing [24]. (AP)
A Kuwaiti MP seeks to emulate the Saudi law [25] against citizens fighting abroad. (Reuters)
One of their own truck bombs accidentally kills 25 [26] Al-Qaeda extremists in Iraq. (Xinhua)
Iraqi Shiite militia, Asaib Ahl al-Haq, reportedly admits remobilizing in targeted killing [27]. (The Washington Post)
Tunisia arrests a suspect [28] in the assassination of opposition politician Brahmi. (BBC)
Commentary:
ATFP Pres. Ziad Asali [29] says a new dynamic is developing in the Middle East that has the potential to build a better future for the Arab world. (Asharq Alawsat)
Hussein Ibish [30] says some “BDS” rhetoric is harming European anti-settlement, pro-peace boycotts campaigns. (The National)
Hanan Ashrawi [31] says BDS empowers Palestinians and worldwide activists to stand for justice and human rights and against settlements. (Ha’aretz)
Moshe Arens [32] says the BDS movement is an attempt to delegitimize Israel. (Ha’aretz)
Peter Joseph and Charles Bronfman [33] say Kerry has proven himself to be a true and loyal friend of Israel. (The Jerusalem Post)
The New York Times [34] says Netanyahu could face the possibility of having to form a new coalition if he really wants to move forward on a peace deal. (The New York Times)
Eitan Haber [35] says Netanyahu will rely on the defense establishment in formulating his response to Kerry’s plan. (Ynet)
Ali Hashem interviews Fatah leader Jibril Rajoub [36] during his visit to Iran. (Al-Monitor)
Oudeh Basharat [37] says Israeli society pays the price for excluding Arabs by embracing racism and discrimination. (Ha’aretz)
The Jordan Times [38] says the Jordanian government will secure its interests in any peace deal between the Palestinians and Israel. (The Jordan Times)
Amer Al Sabaileh [39] complains about the lack of communication between the Jordanian government and the people over Kerry’s initiative. (The Jordan Times)
Renee Ghert-Zand [40] says launching an Arabic site of the The Times of Israel can help build bridges between Jews and Arabs. (Forward)
Bassem Sabry [41] says Gen. Sissi is poised to win presidency if he decides to run in the elections. (Al-Monitor)
Neil Hicks [42] responds to a critical op-ed by Wael Nawara accusing the American “Working Group on Egypt” of offering bad advice. (Al-Monitor)
Ahmed Maher [43] from inside a prison in Egypt accuses the US government of supporting oppression in his country. (The Washington Post)
Manuel Almeida [44] says if Russia manages to maintain influence in Ukraine it might be less committed to Pres. Assad. (Asharq Alawsat)