Daily News Issue Date: 
March 12, 2015
News: 

News:

Israel resumes imports of fruits and vegetables from Gaza. (Reuters/Ma’an)

Hamas leader Abu Marzouq says Israeli army commanders told Palestinian businessmen that theywould allow a seaport and airport in Gaza in return for a long-term ceasefire. (Ma’an/Ha’aretz)

Hamas leader Meshaal meets with Iranian Parliament Speaker Larijani during the latter’s visit to Qatar. (Times of Israel)

At least 59 Palestinian migrants were on board a boat which capsized off the coast of Sicily on March 4, killing an estimated 50. (Ma’an/PNN)

Palestinian activists burn Israeli products near Nablus. (Ma’an)

Two Palestinians from the occupied West Bank receive rare entry permits to Israel that include Eilat. (Ha’aretz)

PM Netanyahu launches a last-minute media blitz to counter what appears to be a rising tide of support for opposition leader Herzog. (Reuters)

Former Pres. Peres endorses Herzog as prime minister. (JTA/Ha’aretz/Times of Israel)

Pro-Iraqi government forces exchange fire sporadically with ISIS fighters in Tikrit.(Reuters/Washington Post/New York Times)

Gen. Dempsey says the US is worried about Iran-backed militias in Iraq. (AP)

AP and New York Times look at key events in Syria since March 2011. (AP/New York Times)

Four years of war in Syria leaves families uprooted and separated. (AP)

coalition of aid agencies says the UNSC has failed to enforce its own hard-fought resolutions on Syria. (New York Times/The National)

UNICEF says 14 million children are suffering as a result of war in Syria and Iraq. (New York Times)

Physicians for Human Rights says more than 600 medical workers have been killed in Syria's civil war. (AP)

ISIS claims responsibility for a bomb attack on a police station in the Libyan capital. (Reuters)

Jordan and Morocco are set to increase cooperation. (Jordan Times)

The Emir of Qatar meets with Pres. Erdogan for talks in Ankara. (AFP)

Sec. Kerry says Congress will not be able to change the terms of any nuclear agreement with Iran. (AP/New York Times)

Ayatollah Khamenei condemns the letter from Republican lawmakers saying he is worried because the US is known for "backstabbing." (Reuters)

Former Sec. Clinton says letter from Republican lawmakers to Iran undermines American leadership. (AP)

Commentary:

Raphael Ahren looks at what Israel’s parties say about the Palestinians. (Times of Israel)

Akiva Eldar asks who will stop the Jewish settlers. (Ha’aretz)

Gideon Levy says in Israel, a “good Arab is an invisible Arab.” (Ha’aretz)

Barak Ravid says Israel needs a prime minister who can clean up the country’s “diplomatic mess.” (Ha’aretz)

Haviv Rettig-Gur asks if Netanyahu is about to lose the election. (Times of Israel)

Omer Benjakob says Herzog and the center-left might actually win Israel’s upcoming election. (Ynet)

Ari Shavit says Herzog and Livni may not be perfect, but they and their party are returning Israel to itself and  to what it’s supposed to be. (Ha’aretz)

Ben Sales explains why Israelis will vote on the economy and not on security. (JTA)

Avi Issacharoff says an angry Egypt feels the squeeze from jihadis, the US and Hamas. (Times of Israel)

H.A. Hellyer says Europe lacks a proper ‘Plan B’ in the Middle East. (The National)

Amal Kandeel says with the help of the international community, Egypt's economy is heading in the right direction. (The National)

Aziz Abu Sarah says in order to dictate the future, ISIS is destroying the past. (Ha’aretz)

The New York Times says in rejecting diplomacy, the Republicans make an Iranian bomb and military conflict more likely. (New York Times)

David Rothkopf says there are real questions both Democrats and Republicans should be asking about our Iran policy. (Foreign Policy)

Michael Young says the greatest potential victims of an Iranian-inspired overhaul of Lebanon’s political system could be Christians in general and specifically Maronites. (Daily Star)

Joyce Karam says Washington’s hands are tied politically and militarily in countering Iranian influence in Iraq. (Al Arabiya)

Abdul Rahman Al Rashed says hostility toward Washington is a basic pillar of the Iranian revolution and of the country’s foreign activities. (Al Arabiya)

The Daily Star says it is incumbent on Arab countries to produce a viable, united strategy to confront Iran’s designs in the region.  (Daily Star)

Tariq Alhomayed looks at why media campaigns are calling for the return of a Saudi–Turkish alliance. (Asharq al-Awsat)


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