News:
Hamas rejects [1] any unilateral dissolution [2] of the Palestinian unity government. (Ma’an/AFP)
A Hamas leader [3] says he expects that it will soon be possible to extend the temporary truce [4] with Israel to a period of 5 years. (PNN/AFP)
FM Fabius will meet with PM Netanyahu [5] to discuss plans to push UNSC resolution on Palestinian statehood.(Jerusalem Post)
US Amb. to Israel Shapiro [6] says Amb. Oren’s claims about Pres. Obama [7] “don’t reflect the truth.” (Ha’aretz/Jerusalem Post)
An Israeli civil rights group has called on the Coca Cola company [8] to sever its ties with its Palestinian subsidiary over calls by its head to boycott Israel. (JTA)
The PA hasn’t applied for full membership [9] to the UN’s World Tourism Organization and is still an observer member, says UNWTO Sec. Talab al-Rifai. (Ma’an)
The Knesset extends for another year [10] the law that allows the government to avoid granting Israeli citizenship or residency status to Palestinians married to Israelis. (Ha’aretz)
The Israeli government has frozen funding for an Arab theater [11] over controversial play. (JTA)
Israel’s High Court rules [12] that a room in the home of a Palestinian family residing in the al-Thuri neighborhood of Jerusalem must be sealed. (Ma’an)
Amb. Power assures Congress [13] that Washington was committed to combating efforts to “delegitimize” Israel. (Times of Israel)
Sec. Kerry says he discussed Syria's use of chemical weapons [14] with Russia and the international community's patience with Pres. Assad's behavior is wearing thin. (Reuters)
Syrian rebels announce a major offensive [15] to capture remaining positions held by the Syrian military in Quneitra province. (Reuters)
Yemen's warring parties have agreed at UN-sponsored peace talks on the need for a ceasefire [16]but the details remain under discussion. (Reuters)
Iran and the P5+1 are reportedly still apart on all main elements of a nuclear deal [17] and will likely have to extend their negotiations. (AP)
Def. Sec. Carten and Gen. Dempsey will testify [18] before the House Armed Services Committee on the Middle East.(AP)
Commentary:
Yossi Mekelberg [19] says the recent “born in Israel” ruling by the Supreme Court is in many ways a lifeline to Obama. (Al Arabiya)
Raphael Ahren interviews Jordanian Amb. to Israel Walid Obeidat [20]. (Times of Israel)
Ron Kampeas [21] asks if former Amb. Oren’s call for no surprises in US-Israel ties possible. (JTA)
Akiva Eldar [22] says Netanyahu must prove “good faith” to restart peace talks with the Palestinians. (Al-Monitor)
The Daily Star [23] looks at the new “Geneva blockbuster” on the Yemen peace talks. (Daily Star)
Abdul Rahman Al Rashed [24] asks if all secrets regarding the P5+1 talks with Iran have been exposed. (Al Arabiya)
Caleb Lauer [25] looks at power politics in Turkey after the country's recent parliamentary elections. (The National)