NEWS:
 
PM Fayyad says he remains generally optimistic but that the Palestinian leadership has to stay relevant and engaged. (Al Monitor)
 
 
PM Netanyahu endorses the idea that any peace agreement should be backed up by a popular referendum. (AP)
 
Netanyahu and his key allies are reportedly worried that Sec. Kerry is inching towards the Arab League stance on the two-state solution. (Ha'aretz)
 
Israel's response to the apparent Arab League endorsement of land swaps is cool, andPalestinian reaction is also mixed. (Washington Post/VOA)
 
Former PM Olmert calls the Arab League statement "historic" and a great opportunity for Israel. (Jerusalem Post)
 
Hamas leader Mishaal rejects the notion of a land swap with Israel. (Ma'an)
 
For all the diplomatic activity, renewed peace talks are nowhere in sight. (Ha'aretz)
 
Critics of the occupation say apparent relative calm is always an illusion. (New York Times)
 
An Israeli citizen is arrested by Lebanese authorities after allegedly crossing the border illegally. (Xinhua)
 
A Palestinian fisherman from Gaza describes his ordeals at the hands of the Israeli military. (PNN)
 
Settlers begin constructing a new outpost near Nablus. (Ma'an)
 
Israeli settlers attack another Palestinian village in the occupied territories. (Jerusalem Post)
 
PA security forces arrest five Hamas activists in the West Bank. (Ma'an)
 
Palestinians are dealing with water shortages in the occupied West Bank with as much equanimity as they can muster. (CSM)
 
The Israeli Knesset is reportedly adopting a new law that prevents citizens of "enemy states"from suing Israel. (Xinhua)
 
Netanyahu is visiting China in a bid to strengthen ties. (Xinhua)
 
A new Pew poll of Muslim opinion shows a substantial minority of Palestinians think suicide bombing is sometimes justifiable, among other mixed and complex results. (Pew Research Center/Daily Telegraph/CNN/)
 
Google's search engine now recognizes Palestine rather than "the Palestinian territories." (PNN)
 
Cooperation may be growing between Bedouin tribesmen and Muslim extremists in Sinai. (The Media Line)
 
 
COMMENTARY:
 
Ari Shavit says better security and the diplomatic impasse don't make Israel's crisis with the occupied Palestinian population go away. (Ha'aretz)
 
Raphael Ahren looks at the range of Israeli reactions to the Arab League statement on land swaps. (Times of Israel)
 
Shimon Shiffer says there is a solid majority in the Netanyahu coalition against a two-state solution. (YNet)
 
Herb Keinon says the best basis for Israeli-Arab reconciliation is shared concerns about Syria and Iran. (Jerusalem Post)
 
Israel Harel says a referendum on a peace agreement is essential for its legitimacy. (Ha'aretz)
 
Husam Itani says the dysfunctionality of Palestinian politics is what's giving hunger striking prisoners and others so much importance. (Al Hayat)
 
The Gulf News says Israel's apparent disinterest in the recent Arab League statement on land swaps shows peace cannot be a one-way street. (Gulf News)
 
Dalia Hatuqa says some Palestinians feel the Arab League statement was presumptuous and unauthorized by them. (Al Monitor)
 
Asmaa al-Ghoul says Gaza's agricultural and green spaces are under constant threat. (Al Monitor)
 
Brandon Davis looks at the campaign to delegitimize pro-Palestinian queer voices. (Daily Beast/Open Zion)
 
Daniel Kurtzer says the US must begin to articulate a clear framework for new negotiations. (Deutsche Welle)

'Quiet man' Kerry's strategy for Middle East peace
Media Mention of Hussein Ibish In Ma'an News Agency - May 1, 2013 - 12:00am

WASHINGTON (AFP) -- US Secretary of State John Kerry is moving cautiously and smartly towards fresh Middle East peace talks, but deep distrust between all sides means success is far from guaranteed, analysts say.

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