Sec. Kerry warns of "negative consequences" for Israel if peace talks fail, during a meeting with leaders of the American Jewish community, telling them that Muslim Brotherhoods will not return to power in Egypt. (Ha'aretz/Jerusalem Post) 

 

The US denounces Israeli plans to construct 800 new homes in Jewish settlements in the occupiedWest Bank land as negotiations are set to continue on August 14. (Reuters/LA Times/AP/NYTimes) 

 

In a letter to Sec. Kerry, Chief Negotiator Erekat warns that the new Israeli settlement could derail the peace talks. (Ha'aretz/AP)

 

Kerry is testing a new path toward the Israeli-Palestinian peace negotiations, insisting on discussing all the most difficult core issues now. (Bloomberg)

 

Pres. Abbas says Palestinian values will not be conceded during negotiations with Israel. (Ma’an News) 

 

Israel defies EU ban on funding any entity in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem, stressing it will not sign any agreement with the EU inapplicable on these territories. (Xinhau/AP)

 

Hamas plans to crackdown on political activists amid fears that Gaza could experience mass protests like those that toppled the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt. (The Telegraph)

 

Amnesty International urges Hamas to stop executions planned for after the Muslim Eid al-Fitr holiday. (Ma’an News) 

 

Forced marriages of teenage Palestinian girls in Gaza remain frequent, despite laws prohibiting the marriage of those under 17. (Al-Monitor)

 

Israel releases a 60-year-old Palestinian prisoner after detaining him for 34 months without charge or trial. (Ma’an News) 

 

Israeli police officer caught on film shooting at Palestinian in East Jerusalem gas station. (Ha'aretz)

 

6000-homes project "Rawabi" in Ramallah faces cost overruns, construction delays, lackluster government support and disputes with Israel over roads and water that still threaten to delay its opening in 2020. (LA Times) 

 

Mohammed Assaf's move from Gaza creates controversy. (The Media Line)

 

 

 

Miriam Awadallah says she is "Palestinian and Proud." (Huff Post) 

 

Roger Cohen outlines Israel's split personality, citing Netanyahu's engagement in peace talks combined with an urge to build more settlements. (The New York Times)

 

Alan Elsner asks if Netanyahu is serious about peace talks, arguing that new settlement plans will weaken the Palestinian negotiating partner, and limit his ability to make concessions. (The Daily Beast/Open Zion)

 

Dov Weisglass asserts that Israel’s obsession of settlements in Palestinian territories makes a mockery of the Israeli governments peace rhetoric. (Ynet News) 

 

Lolita Brayman suggests relocating 100,000 settlers living outside the settlement blocks into Israel proper to boost prospects of peace talks. (Ha'aretz)

 

Alan Philps argues that European countries should be prepared to play a larger role in Palestine if peace talks fail. (The National) 

 

Matt Duss highlights the four steps that Kerry is taking to create movement on a range of fronts. (The Daily Beast/Open Zion)

 

Gulf News says Palestinians are cautious about peace talks because of Israel’s continued expansionist mindset in the West Bank. (Gulf News) 

 

Avi Meyerstein says a public peace process involving NGOs would yield more successful results for peace as opposed to the past top-down negotiations. (The Times of Israel) 

 

Ari Shavit highlights the new Knesset bills targeting Arabs and Haredim Jews, calling for their integration into an egalitarian, pluralistic, Israeli society. (Ha'aretz) 

 

Yoel Marcus explains why the Palestinian anthem was the only anthem to be played during the FC Barcelona "Peace Tour" to Israel and the West Bank. (Ha'aretz)

 

Bakr Oweida reflects on Palestine’s situation since the signing of the Oslo Accords. (Asharq Al-Awsat) 

 

Noam Gilboord addresses Roger Waters' labeling of Israel as being an apartheid state. (Ha'aretz)

 

Adnan Abu Amer says Hamas is keen to improve its ties with Hezbollah. (Al-Monitor)