News:
The [1] Vatican [2] officially [3] recognizes [4] the [5] State [6] of [7] Palestine [8] in a new [9] treaty. [10](AP\Ma’an\Ha’aretz\Times of Israel\Ynet\Jerusalem Post\Foreign Policy\JTA\New York Times\Washington Post)
The PLO says [11] the Vatican’s agreement [12] is a “genuine contribution to peace and justice.” (Ma’an\PNN)
Strategic consultations between Israel and France [13] last week end in discord [14] over French initiative for UN resolution on talks with Palestinians. (Ha’aretz\Ma’an)
EU Foreign Policy Chief Mogherini will visit Israel and the PA [15] next week. (Times of Israel)
A Palestinian official says the documentation necessary for Palestine [16] to bring Israel to the ICC will be approved before the end of 2015. (Ma’an)
PM Netanyahu says he wants to achieve peace with the Palestinians [17] and other Arab states. (AFP)
Three Israeli teenagers [18] are wounded [19] in a suspected terror attack [20] outside of a settlement [21] in theoccupied West Bank [22]. (Ha’aretz\Times of Israel\Ynet\Jerusalem Post\AFP)
Sen. Rubio backs Netanyahu [23] and says conditions for a two-state solution “do not exist today.” (Ha’aretz)
Germany announces a $41 million contribution to the UNRWA [24] shelter assistance program in Gaza. (Ma’an)
Egypt continues to crack down on Gaza tunnels [25], but faces setbacks in Sinai. (Times of Israel)
Israel will demolish an electricity grid [26] near the Qasra village in southern Nablus. (Ma’an)
The US issues [27] a warning urging citizens [28] to exercise caution [29] ahead of Nakba day. (Ha’aretz\Times of Israel\JTA)
The Canadian government denies a report [30] that its considering criminalizing boycotts of Israel. (JTA)
A report indicates 75% of occupied East Jerusalem residents [31] live below the poverty line. (Jerusalem Post)
Pres. Obama discusses American efforts [32] to forge an international nuclear deal with Iran [33] with Saudi leaders. (Reuters\The National)
Obama convenes Camp David summit [34] with Gulf state leaders. (AP)
Saudi Arabia promises [35] to match Iran [36] in nuclear capabilities. (New York Times\Times of Israel)
A senior Iranian official says King Salman is a "traitor to Islam [37]" and equates Saudi Arabia's military assault in Yemen with Israeli actions against Palestinians. (Reuters)
Syrian armed groups opposed to Pres. Assad reject an invitation to UN [38] consultations in Geneva. (Reuters)
Hezbollah and the Syrian army make big advances [39] against insurgents in mountains north of Damascus. (Reuters)
King Abdullah meets [40] with Chancellor Merkel. (Jordan Times)
Commentary:
Michael Young [41] says Israel's swing to the right in the last election reinforces commonly held attitudes about the country in the region. (The National)
Gideon Levy [42] says the more Israel represses the Nakba, the stronger the memories. (Ha’aretz)
Ari Shavit [43] says Israel has abandoned young Jewish Americans in its fight against BDS. (Ha’aretz)
Joyce Karam [44] asks if Obama and the GCC can strike a balance at the Camp David summit. (Al Arabiya)
John Duke Anthony [45] says the Camp David summit is an opportunity for strategic reassurance. (Al Arabiya)
Robert Manning [46] says as the Gulf countries contemplate the US's commitment to the region, Taiwan's experience could be instructive. (The National)
Roger Cohen [47] says Iran these days is a greater focus of Arab ire and disquiet than Israel. (New York Times)
Michael Young [48] looks at Pres. Assad’s “perilous dance with Iran.” (Daily Star)
Elizabeth Dickinson [49] asks if Saudis will be celebrating when the Kingdom turns up the heat against ISIS. (Foreign Policy)
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