NEWS: Israel's relations with Europe are at a low point in many decades, but experts believe this is unlikely to lead to a widespread boycott of settlement goods. PM Netanyahu visits Germany as ties are strained over lack of progress on peace. Israel bars a dissident Jewish Israeli academic from a diplomatic event in Germany. Jordan's King Abdullah II visits the West Bank. Israel and the Palestinians both harden their position on proposed settlement expansions. Hamas leader Meshaal may visit Gaza on Friday, as speculation grows Israel may increasingly try to talk to him. In retaliation against the Tunisian Foreign Minister's visit to Gaza, Israel bars a Tunisian diplomat from resuming his post in Ramallah. Palestinians say Israel must be held accountable for settlement activity by the international community. Ordinary Palestinians quickly find the UN upgrade hasn't changed anything on the ground. Hamas says it wants to establish the first ever Palestinian "Defense Ministry." COMMENTARY: ATFP Executive Director Ghaith Al-Omari and David Makovsky of WINEP discuss Israel's settlement expansion on PBS' NewsHour. The LA Times says Israel's retaliation against the Palestinians, especially building the E1 settlement, only hurts itself. Ma'an interviews FM al-Maliki. Ari Shavit says the political right is becoming so extreme it is dangerous to Israel. Yossi Verter says Deputy FM Ayalon has been thrown off of his party list because he would not obey commands to keep quiet. Shaul Arieli says Ben Gurion and other early Israeli leaders understood an Israeli state is only possible next to a Palestinian one. Ami Ayalon says Palestine's UN upgrade presents an opportunity to revive peace talks. Shimon Shiffer says ordinary Israelis will pay the price for a collapse in relations with Europe. Shlomo Ben-Ami says Israel needs to launch a vigorous new peace initiative. Noam Sheizaf says Israel is addicted to the status quo. Lara Friedman outlines ways Pres. Obama can "get tough" with Netanyahu. Akiva Eldar says Israel's settlement expansion plans are meant to "punish" the US as well as the Palestinians.