News:
The US has reportedly asked the French government [1] to postpone its initiative for a UNSC draft resolution on the Israeli-Palestinian issue. (Ha’aretz)
Gaza protesters [2] are reportedly beaten and arrested by Hamas security officials [3]. (New York Times/AFP)
Israel returns [4] 15 fishing boats [5] seized from Palestinians in Gaza [6]. (Reuters/AFP/Times of Israel)
UN Middle East Peace Envoy Mladenov [7] urges Palestinian factions to unite [8] and Israel to lift its blockade of Gaza. (AFP/Jerusalem Post)
NSA Rice says the Obama administration expects a commitment to the two-state solution [9] from the next Israeli government and from the PA. (JTA)
Former Pres. [10] Carter [11] cancels his visit to Gaza [12]. (Ma’an/JTA/AP)
Israeli police arrest [13] a 6-year old boy from occupied East Jerusalem [14] for allegedly stoning a bus. [15](Ha’aretz/PNN/Times of Israel)
Israel's military sees a growing threat [16] in instant messaging applications -- both to battlefield secrecy and to the privacy of women soldiers. (Reuters)
Iraq is poised to deploy Shi'ite paramilitaries [17] backed by Iran to Sunni tribal areas west of Baghdad. (Reuters)
Syrian activist groups report another suspected chemical attack [18] in the northwestern province of Idlib. (AP)
Jordan’s overland trade [19] has largely been paralyzed by recent border attacks from insurgents in neighboring Syria and Iraq. (AP)
Airstrikes from the Saudi-led coalition [20] target the southern Yemeni city of Aden as combatants battle for control of the main airport. (Reuters)
Gulf FM’s meet in Riyadh [21] for talks on their military operation in Yemen. (AFP)
The US Senate rejects tying terrorism [22] support to Iran sanctions relief. (Reuters)
FM Zarif says the US risks ostracism [23] if signed nuclear deal is “scrapped.” (New York Times)
Iranian opposition leader Rajavi [24] says Iran wants nuclear weapons to foster Islamic extremism. (AP)
France announces it will sell 24 Rafale fighter jets [25] to Qatar in a $7 billion deal. (AP)
Commentary:
Iris Leal [26] says Joint List leader Odeh demonstrates greater sensitivity than Jewish MKs toward the Knesset and its symbols. (Ha’aretz)
Gershon Baskin [27] says for the survival and for the security of Israel, it is time for the State of Palestine. (Jerusalem Post)
Shlomi Eldar [28] says Arab youth are using social media to send messages of peace to Israel. (Al-Monitor)
Joyce Karam [29] profiles new Saudi FM Al-Jubeir. (Al Arabiya)
Elizabeth Dickinson [30] looks at King Salman’s shake-up of the royal family and how that marks the true start of his reign. (Foreign Policy)
Theodore Karasik [31] says Crown Prince Mohammed bin Nayef is the perfect leader for the necessary political and social reforms that the kingdom needs. (Al Arabiya)
Michael Young [32] says Pres. Assad's regime is beginning to crumble despite assistance from Iran and its allies. (Daily Star)
The Daily Star [33] says Assad’s regime appears to be entering its final phases. (Daily Star)