News:
Extremist [1] Jewish settlers [2] torch [3] a Palestinian [4] mosque [5] in the occupied West Bank [6]. (AP/Ma’an/PNN/JTA/Ha’aretz/
A poll indicates a slight majority of Americans favor the establishment [7] of an independent Palestinian state. (JTA) Israel Electric [8] will cut the power flow [9] to the West Bank cities of Nablus and Jenin [10] for about 30 minutes for the second time in two days. (Ha’aretz/Times of Israel/Jerusalem Post) After being forced out from Damascus, Hamas is establishing itself in Turkey [11]. (Ynet) An autopsy shows a Palestinian teenager [12] killed by Israeli occupation forces was shot at a close range. (Ma’an) A Palestinian girl is injured [13] after being run over by a settler vehicle [14] in the Silwan neighborhood in occupied East Jerusalem. (Ma’an/PNN) The new Palestinian city Rawabi [15] has condos, a mall and a sports club — but no water. (Washington Post) The Artist, a new magazine published in Gaza [16] aims to introduce Palestinian artists to the public. (The Media Line) NSA Rice [17] says PM Netanyahu's [18] decision to address Congress [19] next week is "destructive [20]" to US-Israel relations. [21] (AP/New York Times/JTA/Ha’aretz/Times of Israel) Netanyahu turns down an invitation [22] to meet privately with Senate Democrats next week during his visit to Washington. (AP) Amb. Dermer [23] has reportedly unsuccessfully lobbied [24] the envoys [25] of at least two Arab countries [26] to attend Netanyahu’s speech to Congress. (JTA/Times of Israel/Ynet/The Atlantic) Netanyahu’s office denies [27] American reports that Israeli NSA Cohen objected [28]to the premier's decision to address Congress next week. (Ha’aretz/Times of Israel) A wave of bomb attacks [29] around Baghdad kill 37 people [30]. (Reuters/AP) ISIS extremists [31] abduct [32] at least 150 people [33] from Assyrian Christian villages [34] in Syria. (Reuters/AP/New York Times/Washington Post) Kurdish militia press a big offensive [35] against ISIS in Syria, cutting one of its supply lines from Iraq. (Reuters) Human Rights Watch says the Syrian government has dropped so-called barrel bombs [36] on hundreds of sites in the past year. (New York Times) Pres. Obama meets [37] with Qatar’s Emir [38] al-Thani. (AP/The National) Retired Libyan Gen. Haftar [39] will reportedly meet with Israeli officials in Amman. (Jerusalem Post) Yemen’s Houthis take over a US special forces [40] army base in Sanaa. (Reuters) UN experts say Yemen’s former Pres. Saleh is suspected of corruptly amassing [41] as much as $60 billion. (Reuters) King Abdullah of Jordan will meet [42] with King Salman today in Riyadh. (Jordan Times) Sec. Kerry [43] defends [44] P5+1 negotiations [45] with Iran before Congress [46]. (AP/New York Times/Ha’aretz/Times of Israel) Commentary: Zvi Bar’el [47] says by controlling water, electricity and taxes Israel is showing the PA who’s the boss. (Ha’aretz) Ha’aretz [48] says the PA and parts of occupied East Jerusalem are totally dependent on Israeli power, and cutting off a city means directly harming essential services. (Ha’aretz) Elhanan Miller [49] says despite a putative ban, Israeli products still abound on Ramallah store shelves. (Times of Israel) The New York Times [50] debates what the recent ruling of the US court means for the future of the PA. (New York Times) Hazar Masri-Hussein [51] says Israeli politicians are avoiding dealing with the issues of racism and Jewish-Arab relations. (Ynet) Yossi Mekelberg [52] says the unity of Palestinian citizens of Israel in the upcoming election must benefit the Arab constituency and the entire country. (Al Arabiya) Shai Franklin [53] says Obama should send a high level representative to the upcoming AIPAC conference. (JTA) Thomas Friedman [54] says ISIS is a product of decades of failed governance in the Arab world. (New York Times) David Kenner [55] says former PM Maliki is quietly plotting a return to power. (Foreign Policy) The National [56] says a new army post that consolidates two of Libya’s many fighting factions offers hope. (The National) Michael Young [57] says Lebanon was expected to be the least resistant to the sectarian anarchy sweeping the region but has managed to stay afloat. (The National) The Jordan Times [58] says Jordan and Kuwait are a model of sound pan-Arab relations. (Jordan Times) Abdul Rahman Al Rashed [59] says Turkey would have had a greater regional role if it abandons petty alliances and avoids poking its nose in Arab domestic affairs. (Al Arabiya) David Ignatius [60] says an Iran deal would be good for the region. (Washington Post) The New York Times [61] says recent talks offer hope that the protracted nuclear threat from Iran can be resolved peacefully. (New York Times)