NEWS: Palestinians say Interpol is refusing to cooperate in the investigation into a former aide to the late Pres. Arafat who is suspected of massive corruption. In a move likely to make municipal elections come sooner rather than later, Pres. Abbas issues a decree amending the election law. Leaders of Fatah and Hamas will reportedly meet in Cairo next week. Palestinians increasingly view settlements as an impossible impediment to the creation of an independent state. Israeli NGOs accuse Israeli police of severely abusing Palestinian prisoners. Northern Cyprus warns Israel against violations of its airspace. Israel says the international Olympic Committee's rejection of a request for a moment's silence for athletes killed in 1972 is “unacceptable.” An Israeli hospital bans people from speaking in Arabic. Plans are being made for the first joint industrial park on the Israeli-Jordanian border. Following the deal between Israel and prisoners resulting from a collective hunger strike, Palestinians are being increasingly drawn to nonviolent tactics. COMMENTARY: The CSM interviews Michael Sfard, an Israeli lawyer fighting settlement expansion. David Landau says the pro-Israel right wing wants to maintain the status quo, including the occupation. Jay Bushinski says it's “unthinkable” that some Jewish Israelis and state-funded institutions commemorated Nakba Day. The Media Line interviews Israeli photojournalist David Rubinger. Aaron David Miller says the peace process may seem dead, but it will come back to life eventually. Shmuel Rosner says the new Israeli coalition government probably won't pursue more constructive policies towards the Palestinians. Noam Sheizaf says ordinary Israelis feel no pressure to end the status quo and the occupation, but Ron Pundak says boycotts and threats to cut off contact will backfire on Palestinians and their allies. Ahmed Majdoubeh says neither Israelis nor Palestinians really have an independent state. Hussein Ibish says “creative alternatives” to negotiations and a two-state solution are invariably implausible and usually barely conceal maximalist ambitions.