News:
The standoff over the next prisoner release [1] threatens peace talks [2]. (New York Times/Times of Israel)
Chief Palestinian negotiator Erekat accuses Israel [3] of prioritizing settlements over peace [4]. (Ma’an/Ynet)
Pres. Abbas will ask the Arab League [5] to reiterate its 2002 peace initiative [6]. (PNN/Ha’aretz)
J Street says Israel’s demand for Palestinian recognition of it as a “Jewish state” [7] is not realistic at present. (Ha’aretz)
Palestinians criticize Abbas [8] for publicly feuding with former Fatah official Dahlan. (New York Times)
PM Netanyahu says the Israeli army [9] will use force against anybody plotting attacks [10] against Israel. (AFP/Ynet)
Israeli occupation forces kill three Palestinians [11] in the West Bank. [12] (AP/Xinhua)
The UN Human Rights Council [13] will vote on a settlement boycott resolution. [14] (Ha’aretz/Jerusalem Post)
Jewish “price tag” [15] extremists vandalize 34 cars [16] in occupied East Jerusalem. [17] (AP/AFP/Ha’aretz)
Hamas supporters [18] rally in Gaza. [19] (AP/Ma’an)
Palestinian refugee camps in the West Bank are becoming increasingly volatile and dangerous. [20](Ha’aretz)
The PA will sign a security accord aimed at protecting Palestinian refugee camps [21] in Lebanon. (Daily Star)
Syrian rebels capture a town [22] near the Turkish border. (AP)
The UN accuses [23] both the Syrian government and rebels of hindering aid access. [24] (Reuters/New York Times)
Sec. Kerry hopes the Crimea crisis will not affect Russian cooperation on Syrian weapons. [25](Reuters)
One person is killed in clashes [26] in Lebanon between supporters and opponents of Pres. Assad. [27](Reuters/AP)
Turkey shoots down [28] a Syrian plane. [29] (Washington Post/Xinhua/The National)
Egypt [30] sentences 529 Muslim Brotherhood members [31] to death. [32] (AP/Reuters/New York Times)
Pres. Obama may face a tough meeting in Saudi Arabia. [33] (The National)
Commentary:
Hussein Ibish [34] says the GCC impasse is about Egypt’s role in the unfolding new Middle Eastern strategic landscape. (The National)
The Boston Globe [35] says peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians must be saved. (The Boston Globe)
Emily Hauser [36] says the delayed release of Palestinian prisoners’ shows that Israel does not want to end the conflict with the Palestinians. (Ha’aretz)
Don Futterman [37] says Palestinians are facing a “prisoners’ dilemma.” (Ha’aretz)
Amos Schocken [38] says those who insist on demanding recognition of Israel as a “Jewish state” are acting to perpetuate the occupation and settlements. (Ha’aretz)
Jonathan Cook [39] asks what will happen if peace talks fail. (The National)
Sharif Nashashibi [40] endorses a binational state for Israelis and Palestinians. (Al Arabiya)
Mira Sucharov [41] explains why she opposes the academic boycott of Israel but supports two states. (Ha’aretz)
Amira Hass [42] writes a letter to the Israeli soldier who killed a fourteen-year-old Palestinian. (Ha’aretz)
Alon Pinkas [43] says the US will not forget DM Ya’alon’s insults. (Ynet)
Bakir Oweida [44] pleas the international community and the Palestinian leadership to “let Gaza breathe.” (Asharq Al Awsat)
The Daily Star [45] says the Arab League summit in Kuwait comes at an all time high level of political tension among members. (Daily Star)
Abdul Rahman Al Rashed [46] says he doesn’t expect much from this year’s Arab League summit. (Al Arabiya)
The National [47] says the damage incurred by Syria’s architectural heritage is highly disturbing. (The National)
Natasha Hall [48] says the Yarmouk siege has discredited both the Assad regime and the Palestinian leadership. (Daily Star)
H.A. Hellyer [49] says Egypt’s growing tolerance of harassment towards women is alarming. (Al Arabiya)
Majdi Hamdan [50] and Adel Suleiman [51] debate if Egypt’s various presidential candidates could play a role in the next government. (Asharq al Awsat)
Rami Khouri [52] counts the number of ways Arabs are dying. (Daily Star)
Amer Al Sabaileh [53] says Qatar’s changed political position towards the Syrian crisis will not contribute to a political settlement. (Jordan Times)
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