News:
Israel’s decision to withhold Palestinian tax revenues [1] is strangling the economy and leaving the banking system dangerously exposed. (Reuters)
PM Hamdallah urges reconciliation [2] in his second official visit to Gaza. (Ma’an)
Hamas and Hamdallah agree [3] to form a committee to resolve Gaza issues. (Ma’an)
The UN says the Palestinian death toll in 2014 [4] was the highest since 1967. (AFP)
A report [5] by Amnesty International cites [6] evidence of war crimes by Hamas [7] during last summer’s Gaza conflict. (New York Times/JTA/Ha’aretz)
A French firm [8] decides not to take part in a cable car project [9] linking West Jerusalem to occupied East Jerusalem. (AFP/Ha’aretz)
Pres. Rivlin chides PM Netanyahu [10] for his comments about Palestinian voters in Israel. (JTA)
An Israeli lawmaker [11] calls on Netanyahu to fire Amb. Dermer. [12] (JTA/Times of Israel)
Saudi Arabia [13] leads [14] airstrikes [15] against [16] Yemen’s [17] Houthi [18] rebels. [19] (Reuters/AP/New York Times/Washington Post/Times of Israel/Foreign Policy/The National)
In a GCC statement [20] Gulf countries say they responded to developments in Yemen. (The National)
Jordan confirms [21] its participation in the Yemen airstrikes [22], which it calls “legitimate and necessary. [23]” (AP/Jordan Times)
Egypt sends [24] warships to secure the Gulf of Aden [25]. (Ynet/Reuters)
FM Shoukri says Cairo is willing to send ground forces [26] to Yemen if needed. (Al Arabiya)
Egypt and Kuwait [27] say intervention in Yemen was necessary. (AFP)
Sec. Kerry commends [28] the work of the coalition taking military action against the Houthis. (AFP)
The Arab League pledges full support for the Saudi-led campaign [29] in Yemen. (Reuters)
Pres. Abbas says [30] he supports the Saudi-led military invasion in Yemen. (Ma’an)
Iran condemns Saudi [31] airstrikes in Yemen saying it was “a dangerous step [32].” (AFP/Al Arabiya)
Iraq’s FM al-Jaafari opposes the Saudi-led air strikes [33] on Shiite rebels in Yemen. (AFP)
EU Foreign Policy Chief Mogherini [34] says military action is not a solution to the crisis in Yemen. (Reuters)
Saudi Arabia also hit forces loyal to a key figure [35] who many Yemenis believe has orchestrated the present crisis from the shadows: former Pres. Saleh. (Reuters)
Coalition [36] and Iraqi warplanes [37] target ISIS militants [38] in the presidential compound in Tikrit. [39](Reuters/AP/New York Times/Washington Post)
Tunisia says the Bardo museum attack was launched by a cell of 23 militants [40], with overlapping allegiances to a number of hardline islamist groups. (Reuters)
The US and Iran [41] resume talks [42] on a preliminary nuclear deal [43] as deadline nears. (Reuters/AP/Ha’aretz)
An American official says an Iranian nuclear deal [44] may be completed next week. (New York Times)
Netanyahu has begun to signal that Israel could resign itself to an Iranian nuclear deal [45] that would leave its enemy with some uranium enrichment capability. (Reuters)
Commentary:
Hussein Ibish [46] says Netanyahu has called the American bluff on a two-state solution and the US faces a crucial decision. (NOW)
Aaron David Miller [47] says when it comes to Palestinian statehood the US and Israel are just “playing games.” (Foreign Policy)
Akiva Eldar [48] says Europeans are warning that Israel is deepening its control in occupied East Jerusalem. (Al-Monitor)
Shlomi Eldar [49] says Palestinian citizens of Israel will look to Netanyahu’s actions, not his words. (Al-Monitor)
Nizar Farzakh [50] congratulates Israel on its democracy and says now they should fight for their future (Ha’aretz)
Jonathan Capehart [51] says Netanyahu is to blame for his “sour relationship” with Pres. Obama. (Washington Post)
Ha’aretz [52] says Israel’s new Finance Minister Kahlon will face difficult challenges. (Ha’aretz)
Sara Elizabeth Williams [53]says Iran is coming closer to the Israeli borders. (Foreign Policy)
Avi Issacharoff [54] says Israel’s concerns regarding the Houthi takeover of Yemen are nothing compared to Arab countries. (Times of Israel)
Faisal Abbas [55] explains why “Operation: Decisive Storm” was needed in Yemen. (Al Arabiya)
Joyce Karam [56] says the Yemen intervention is a statement of a GCC more confident in its defenses and political vision. (Al Arabiya)
The National [57] says Yemen airstrikes are an important first step. (The National)
H.A. Hellyer [58] says an Arab army is an “improbable necessity.”
Michael Young [59] says the growing rift between the US and France on the solution to the Syria crisis should end. (The National)
John Bolton [60] says that because Iran can’t be trusted on a nuclear deal, force is the only option. (New York Times)
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