NEWS:
Palestinians are pushing for the introduction of
3G smart phone service in the West Bank. (Christian Science Monitor)
EU officials attend an Israeli occupation civil administration planning meeting about "Area C." (Ha'aretz)
Israeli human rights groups say the Atty. Gen. is
"playing games" with a wildcat "unauthorized" settlement outpost. (YNet)
Rights groups also say
only 8.5% of investigations into crimes against Palestinians in the occupied territories lead to indictments. (Jerusalem Post)
The scheduled opening of an Israeli clothing chain store
branch in Ramallah causes controversy on both sides. (AP)
COMMENTARY:
Hussein Ibish looks at growing tensions between Hamas and the Egyptian military and new government. (Daily Beast/Open Zion)
The
New York Times says Kerry deserves credit for his perseverance on Middle East peace. (New York Times)
Aaron David Miller lists five reasons why Kerry might be optimistic about real progress. (Washington Post)
Christopher Dickey says, despite the risks, pursuing Israeli-Palestinian peace is the Obama administration's best chance to influence the direction of the Middle East. (Daily Beast)
Ahmad Majdoubeh says peace is possible and Pres. Obama and Kerry deserve applause for their initiative. (Jordan Times)
Uri Dromi says everyone should support the new peace initiative. (Miami Herald)
George Hishmeh says, with its new occupation guidelines, the EU has taken the lead in the quest for peace. (Gulf News)
Shlomi Eldar notes Netanyahu likes some EU decisions and hates others. (Al Monitor)
Jeffrey Goldberg says Israel should take warnings about the occupation from top US generals very seriously. (Bloomberg)
Patrick Smith says Israel should pay close attention to the implications of the new EU occupation guidelines. (Salon)
Abraham Foxman encourages the US Supreme Court to overturn the ruling that Americans born in Jerusalem cannot cite Israel as country of birth. (Ha'aretz)
Amira Hass says Israel's new railway plan in the occupied Palestinian territories will face hundreds of objections. (Ha'aretz)