News:
Unnamed American officials [1] reportedly primarily blame Israel’s continued settlement expansion [2] for the failure of the peace talks. (Ynet/Times of Israel)
Pres. Abbas and Hamas leader [3] Meshaal will hold talks [4] in Doha. (Ma’an/AFP)
Palestinians are pushing to internationally brand Israel as the “occupier of Palestine.” [5] (New York Times)
PM Netanyahu defends [6] his plans for law defining Israel as a “Jewish state.” [7] (AFP/Ynet)
Special Envoy Indyk [8] may resign. (Ha’aretz)
The PLO joins five UN global [9] treaties. (JTA)
Jewish “price tag” extremists [10] vandalize a car in Israel and uproot olive trees [11] in the occupied West Bank. (Ma’an/Ha’aretz)
DM Ya’alon calls [12] on Israeli authorities to crack down on perpetrators of “price tag” attacks. (Times of Israel)
Islamic Jihad gains [13] new traction against rivals Hamas in the Gaza strip. (New York Times)
3,000 PA police [14] may begin to operate in Gaza [15] as part of the unity deal. (Ma’an/Ha’aretz)
Israel [16] remembers [17] its fallen soldiers [18]. (AP/Ha’aretz/Jerusalem Post)
Israeli soldiers express frustration [19] about their service in the occupied West Bank. (AP)
A new Yeshiva [20] will open in occupied East Jerusalem [21]. (Ynet/Reuters)
Ramallah celebrates Palestine Fashion Week [22] 2014. (AP)
A PLO delegation heads to Syria [23] to check on the conditions of Palestinian refugees. (Ma’an)
Syrian government forces kill 21 rebels [24] in Aleppo. (AP)
Pres. Assad will face [25] two other candidates in the Syrian Presidential election. (AP)
Persistent differences [26] between Saudi Arabia and the US [27] are hurting Syria policy. (Reuters/The National)
Turkey builds a wall [28] to secure the border with Syria. (Reuters)
Educated women in Jordan [29] face a shortage of jobs. (New York Times)
An Egyptian al-Qaeda inspired group [30] claims responsibility for two attacks [31]. (AP/Xinhua)
The Libyan [32] Parliament swears-in [33] new PM Ahmed Matiq [34] under highly controversial [35] circumstances.. (AP/Reuters/New York Times/The National)
The World Health Organization [36] says polio is spreading at an alarming rate. (New York Times)
Qatar will launch a new tv satellite station [37] to be run by Azmi Bishara. (The National)
Commentary:
Hussein Ibish [38] says Palestinian unity agreement faces significant obstacles. (The National)
Rami Khouri [39] says this a time of opportunity for Palestinians on three important fronts. (Daily Star)
Baraka El-Farra [40] and Amine Kammourieh [41] debate if Israel alone, or Sec. Kerry also, are responsible for undermining peace talks. (Asharq al-Awsat)
The Washington Post [42] says its time for “a more pragmatic approach” in the Middle East. (Washington Post)
Mahmoud Jaraba and Lihi Ben Shitrit [43] say the latest escalation in the Abbas-Dahlan dispute highlights the “bitter succession” fight in Fatah. (Daily Star)
Uzi Baram [44] explains why he thinks Zionism has become a “dirty word.” (Ha’aretz)
Amer Al Sabaileh [45] says Palestinian reconciliation is in everybody’s interest. (Jordan Times)
Samih Shabib [46] and Khalil Shaheen [47] debate if the Gaza agreement will result in a real unity government. (Asharq al-Awsat)
Sharif Nashashibi [48] says we must acknowledge Israeli “apartheid,” (Al Arabiya)
Hussein Abu Hussein [49] says Palestinian citizens of Israel wonder why Israel’s law enforcement’s resourcefulness disappear when it comes to “price tag” attacks. (Ha’aretz)
Amira Hass [50] asks if Israeli authorities are really against “price tag” attacks. (Ha’aretz)
Fred Hiatt [51] asks why the US stands by so “idly” on Syria. (Washington Post)
Abdul Rahman Al Rashed [52] says Iraqi political pluralism, and the real diversity of top figures and parties, are worth appreciating. (Al Arabiya)