News:
Pres. Obama [1] says Palestinians deserve [2] an end to the occupation [3]. (Ma’an\Ynet\Asharq al Awsat)
Despite Obama’s demand, PM Netanyahu’s coalition guidelines makes no commitment [4] to a Palestinian state. (Ha’aretz)
ICC prosecutor Bensouda [5] says without cooperation [6], the Gaza war probe [7] will rely on evidence from just one side. (Ha’aretz\Times of Israel\AP)
A prominent group of EU diplomats [8] says US policy with regard to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has failed and a new EU led approach is needed. (Jerusalem Post)
The occupied West Bank’s electricity grid [9] will be connected to Jordan. (Ma’an)
The Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics [10] says it has recorded a population of 12.1 million [11]people worldwide, the majority of whom live outside [12] of the territories. (AFP\Times of Israel\Ynet)
An Israeli court sentences [13] a Palestinian man for incitement and for supporting a terrorist [14]organization based on his Facebook posts. (New York Times\JTA)
Armed men open fire [15] at the Palestinian president's guards while in their vehicle near Balata refugee camp. (Ma’an)
Israel is stepping up its diplomatic initiatives [16] as fears grow over FIFA suspension. (Ha’aretz)
Obama will meet with Saudi Arabia’s [17] Crown Prince Mohammed bin Nayeh today. (Reuters)
Obama tells an Arab newspaper [18] that he will remain tough on Iran. (New York Times)
Saudi-led air strikes [19] hit the rebel-held Yemeni capital [20] Sanaa hours before [21] a five-day humanitarian truce [22] takes effect [23]. (Reuters\AP\New York Times\Washington Post\The National)
Iran warns the Saudi-led coalition [24] targeting Yemeni rebels that blocking an Iranian aid ship bound for Yemen will "spark a fire." (AP)
ISIS extremists have dug trenches around natural gas [25] and hydrogen tanks at Iraq's largest refinery, raising the stakes in a battle. (Reuters)
Israel says Hezbollah positions put Lebanese at risk [26]. (New York Times)
ICC prosecutor Bensouda says she can investigate alleged crimes by ISIS in Libya [27]. (Reuters)
Commentary:
Adnan Abu Amer [28] says Hamas is seeking a rapprochement with Saudi Arabia to improve its leverage in Palestinian reconciliation talks. (Al-Monitor)
Ahmad Melhem [29] says Hamas and Fatah are focusing on trivial issues instead of taking advantage of former Pres. Carter’s reconciliation efforts. (Al-Monitor)
Joseph Dana [30] says football is the latest theatre of struggle between Israel and Palestinians. (The National)
Ron Kampeas [31] says the mistrust between Netanyahu and Obama is “personal and cynical.” (JTA)
Ben Sales [32] looks at how a women’s party is challenging the status quo in an Arab-Israeli city. (JTA)
Aaron David Miller [33] says Israel watchers have been expecting icy relations between Obama and Bibi to worsen -- but the post-election period may offer an unexpected thaw. (Foreign Policy)
Eric Yoffie [34] explains what Jewish Americans want from Netanyahu. (Ha’aretz)
The Washington Post [35] says the absence of King Salman at the US-GCC summit is an unmistakable signal of dissatisfaction with the US. (Washington Post)
The National [36] says at the upcoming Camp David summit Gulf leaders will make their views known to Obama. (The National)
Jeremy Shapiro and Richard Sokolsky [37] says the Camp David summit is an opportunity for Washington to send the Gulf a tough message. (Foreign Policy)
Andrew Bowen [38] says Obama underestimates the challenge Iran poses to the security of the region and the GCC. (Al Arabiya)
David Ignatius [39] says Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkey are now cooperating on Syria. (Washington Post)
David Ignatius [40] says the US must fight ISIS’ “brand appeal.” (Washington Post)
Abdul Rahman Al Rashed [41] says an Iranian nuclear deal will empower hardliners. (Al Arabiya)
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