News:
Pope Francis [1] ends [2] his trip [3] to the Middle East [4] pushing [5] for peace [6]. (AP/New York Times/Washington Post/Ha’aretz/Jerusalem Post/The National)
The Pope delivers a powerful boost of support [7] to the Palestinians. (AP)
Pres. Abbas calls on the Pope to support the Palestinian struggle [8]. (Ma’an)
Hamas and Fatah reportedly agree on most of the make-up of a new Palestinian government [9]. (Reuters)
A Fatah official says there are no disputes on the formation of a new Palestinian government with Hamas [10]. (Ma’an)
Israel approves plans for 50 new settler homes [11] in occupied East Jerusalem [12]. (AFP/PNN)
Finance Minister Lapid says annexation and unilateral steps [13] on Israel's parts would destroy Zionism. (Ynet)
Israeli Gen. Mordechai warns power blackouts [14] in the occupied West Bank will lead to violence. (Ha’aretz)
Saudi Prince [15] Faisal Al Saud declines [16] an invitation to Jerusalem [17] by former Israeli intelligence chief Yadlin. (Ha’aretz/JTA/Times of Israel)
Israel is reportedly adopting the recommendations of a pro-settler study [18]. (JTA)
Jewish extremist settlers uproot 30 olive trees [19] in the occupied West Bank. (Ma’an)
FIFA Pres. Blatter [20] calls himself an “ambassador of the Palestinian people [21].” (AP/Times of Israel)
Cardinal Rai [22] is the first Lebanese [23] religious leader [24] to go to Israel. (AP/Ynet/Times of Israel)
Jordan [25] expels [26] Syrian [27] Amb. [28] Suleiman [29]. (AP/New York Times/Jordan Times/The National)
Syrian refugees are being approached by Lebanese close to Pres. Assad to vote in the presidential election [30].
OPCW inspectors [31] escape an attack [32] in Syria. (New York Times/Xinhua)
Syria’s fractured railroad [33] is a testament to the dire conditions in the country. (New York Times)
Egypt [34] urges voters to cast ballots [35] in the presidential election [36]. (Reuters/New York Times/The National)
Pres. Suleiman leaves Lebanon’s presidential palace [37]. (Xinhua)
Gunmen fire grenades [38] at the house of PM Maiteeq in Libya. (Reuters)
Commentary:
Hussein Ibish [39] says Palestinians should ensure that the world remembers the Pope’s visit to Palestine. (Now)
The National [40] says the Pope’s visit to the “Holy Land” highlights Israeli injustice. (The National)
The Jerusalem Post [41] says the Pope met the challenges of his visit to the “Holy Land” with grace and charm. (Jerusalem Post)
David Horovitz [42] says a planned Peres-Abbas-Francis Vatican prayer could yield a rare picture of unity for a common cause. (Times of Israel)
Orlando Crowcroft [43] says Israel’s military conscripts are a real obstacle to peace. (The National)
Prince Charles [44] draws attention to the plight of Christians in the Middle East. (Asharq al-Awsat)
Grant Rumley [45] asks if Abbas is going to the UN again. (Ha’aretz)
Rasha Abou Jalal [46] says, if a new Palestinian government is formed, all legislation issued after Hamas’ takeover of Gaza will be reconsidered. (Al-Monitor)
Akiva Eldar [47] says Chief Negotiator Livni must choose between negotiations with a new Palestinian government or “diplomatic stagnation” that will lead to a binational state. (Al-Monitor)
Abdullah Erakat [48] says Palestinian women are making strides on campuses.(The Media Line)
J.J. Goldberg [49] says the debate between Prince Faisal and Yadlin is the first public contact between a high-ranking Saudi and Israeli. (Jewish Daily Forward)
Hassan Barari [50] says Egypts needs a strong leader to assure stability. (Jordan Times)
Hussein Ibish [51] says the Kurds are inching towards independence as PM Maliki struggles to form a new governing coalition. (The National)
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