Date

NEWS:
 
A US federal appeals court rules Americans born in Jerusalem cannot list "Israel" as their country of birth. (AP)
 
Palestinian and Israeli negotiators are still expected to visit Washington next week. (Xinhua)
 
Palestinian negotiators say they are still seeking assurances on 67 Lines and prisoner release before talks resume. (PNN)
 
The CSM finds even some skeptical experts see value in renewed negotiations. (Christian Science Monitor)
 
Palestinian nonviolent protesters are worried about the potential impact of failed negotiations. (Al Monitor)
 
Israeli and Palestinian representatives exchange accusations at the UN. (Times of Israel)
 
PM Netanyahu clarifies that the fate of the West Bank must be included in any referendum on a peace deal with the Palestinians. (AP)
 
Finance Minister Lapid also backs the idea of a referendum. (Jerusalem Post)
 
55% of Israelis say they are inclined to vote for a peace agreement. (Ha'aretz)
 
Settlers are reportedly worried that the ultra-Orthodox will go along with a peace agreement in exchange for government funding. (Ha'aretz)
 
Netanyahu insists there is no unspoken settlement freeze in place, but his Housing Minister disputes this. (YNet)
 
Experts say by calling for referenda on agreements, both Israeli and Palestinian leaders are keeping their options open. (Xinhua)
 
Hamas says Fatah has to choose between national reconciliation and negotiating with Israel. (Xinhua)
 
Hamas says Egypt is plotting to restore its rule in Gaza. (Jerusalem Post)
 
The UN says an Egyptian tunnel crackdown and Israeli restrictions have resulted in severe shortages in Gaza. (Ma'an)
 
Egypt's closure of an estimated 80% of smuggling tunnels cost Gaza's economy an estimated$230 million in June.(Reuters/Ma'an)
 
Israel says it is preparing for an even bigger Egyptian counter-offensive against extremists in Sinai. (Jerusalem Post/Times of Israel)
 
Three more Palestinian refugees are reportedly killed in fighting in Syria. (Ma'an)
 
Facing a court deadline on Thursday, Jewish settlers in "Amona" outpost conduct a token self-eviction. (Los Angeles Times)
 
Controversy erupts over Israeli security involvement in settler youth programs. (YNet)
 
The Chinese government is accused of meeting with Israeli counterterrorism officials toorganize a cover-up in a Bank of China terrorism lawsuit. (Ha'aretz)
 
Israeli experts worry that Hamas and Hezbollah missile capabilities are outstripping Israel's defenses. (Ha'aretz)
 
Israeli and Palestinian youths gain greater understanding through attending Seeds of Peace summer camps. (YNet)
 
Former Fatah official Mohammed Dahlan is suing Pres. Abbas on various charges. (Times of Israel)
 
 
COMMENTARY:
 
The CSM says American commitment and goodwill are crucial to pushing the Israelis and Palestinians towards peace. (Christian Science Monitor)
 
Ha'aretz says it is absurd to cancel a Palestinian children puppets festival on "security" grounds. (Ha'aretz)
 
Carlo Strenger says the idea of a referendum could strengthen the chances for an Israeli-Palestinian peace agreement. (Ha'aretz)
 
Aviad Kleinberg says a referendum is just another obstacle to peace. (YNet)
 
Amira Hass says young Palestinians aren't in a hurry for a peace agreement because they know Israel isn't ready for one. (Ha'aretz)
 
Daniel Tauber argues that the new negotiations are not in Israel's national interests. (Jerusalem Post)
 
Ben Caspit says to be evenhanded about prisoner release, the US should free convicted spy Jonathan Pollard. (Jerusalem Post)
 
J.J. Goldberg says, surprisingly, it was Israel that convinced the EU to ban only Hezbollah's military wing. (The Forward)
 
Rami Khouri says the EU should be applauded for its new settlement and occupation guidelines. (The Daily Star)
 
Alsir Sidahmed wonders what in the United States is trying to accomplish with the new Israeli-Palestinian talks. (Arab News)
 
Ben Caspit says neither side can deliver what the other wants, so talks had better proceed very slowly and cautiously. (Al Monitor)
 
Yaron Sideman says it's time to give peace a chance with the Kerry initiative. (Philadelphia Inquirer)
 
Michael Singh says there is a real virtue even in "talks about talks." (Washington Post)
 
Kenneth Bandler says there is no alternative to a two-state solution. (Orlando Sun Sentinel)
 
Abeer Ayyoub says Hamas is worried that the Egyptian "Tamarod" grassroots rebellion movement will spread to Gaza. (Al Monitor)
 
Sigal Samuel asks if applying Israel's anti-discrimination against women laws in the occupied territories is feminist or annexationist. (Daily Beast/Open Zion)
 
B'Tselem says Israel must take action to regulate the status of tens of thousands of Gazans living without IDs. (B'Tselem)
 
Stephen Walt says the United States should not link policies towards Iran and Israel and the Palestinians. (Foreign Policy)

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