The EU says strengthening its ties with Israel is dependent on the success of the peace talks. (The Jerusalem Post)

A Palestinian official says the framework agreement is doomed to fail. (Reuters)

Chief Palestinian negotiator Erekat says Palestinians will not recognize Israel as a “Jewish state.” (PNN)

Israeli Amb. Dermer defends Sec. Kerry in interviews. (Ha’aretz/The Jerusalem Post)

The Israeli military strikes Gaza in response to a rocket attack. (AP)

Industrial areas in West Bank settlements provide some economic relief to Palestinian workers while undermining their national aspirations. (The New York Times)

The number of Israelis killed in “terror attacks” drops to six in 2013. (Xinhua)

Extremist settlers uproot over 150 olive trees near Bethlehem. (Ma’an)

Israel will allow a shipment of goods to enter the Gaza strip. (Ma’an)

Israeli forces detain three Palestinian fisherman off the coast of Gaza. (Ma’an)

Israeli occupation forces reportedly block a pregnant Palestinian woman from taking the quick route to a hospital in East Jerusalem. (Ha’aretz)

The Syrian forces allow some fighting-age men to leave Homs. (AP)

The Syrian negotiators hold their first face-to-face meeting this month in Geneva. (AP/Reuters/The New York Times)

The Ansar Beit al-Maqdis extremist group blows up a gas pipeline in Sinai. (AP)

The Egyptian government uses UAE funds for a second stimulus package. (The National)

Militants attack military barracks in Iraq, killing 15 people. (AP)

Jordan’s King Abdullah urges Arab and Muslims organizations leaders to support his country’s policies. (The Jordan Times)

Qatar’s World Cup organizers outline new rights for workers.  (AP/The National)

Pres. Rouhani says Iran will pursue “peaceful” nuclear technology. (Xinhua/The Washington Post)

AIPAC has reportedly botched its campaign for more sanctions on Iran. (The Daily Beast)

Aaron Magid says both Pres. Abbas and PM Netanyahu’s national and political interests are aligned with responding positively to Kerry’s initiative. (Ha’aretz)

Avraham Burg says the Israeli government is messianic, and Kerry deserves a medal if he succeeds in saving Israel from itself. (Ha’aretz)

Osama al Sharif says it’s better for the Palestinians, Jordanians, and Israelis to preserve the status quo than accepting Kerry’s plan. (Gulf News)

Rami Khouri says the US is finally offering its own proposals for permanent-status arrangements. (The Daily Star)

Naomi Chazan says Israel will no longer be able to avoid paying the price for occupying Palestinian land. (The Times of Israel)

Akiva Eldar says Labor party leader Herzog is now closer to the premiership after adopting the “Jewish state” demand. (Al-Monitor)

Mazal Mualem says FM Liberman is reinventing himself. (Al-Monitor

Sharif Nashashibi says the recent SodaStream controversy shows how boycotts are proving to be the most effective means of achieving Palestinian rights. (Al Arabiya)

Neil Lazarus says Israel is facing a real challenge in winning a new generations of Jewish American college students. (Times of Israel)

Danny Postel and Nader Hashemi say the international community must use force to save the starving Syrians. (The New York Times)
 
The New York Times suggests three steps to achieve a political solution in Syria. (The New York Times)

Hussein Ibish says Gen. Sissi has the same reason to run or not run for Egypt’s presidency: he will win. (Now Lebanon))

Hassan Barari says real democratic reform in Jordan requires a popular culture of tolerance and pluralism. (The Jordan Times)
 
Faisal Al Yafai says the use of sectarianism to understand conflicts in the Middle East is “simplistic” and “flawed.” (The National)

Abdul Rahman Al Rashed says the US has finally discovered that Iran is behind al-Qaeda. (Al Arabiya)

The Gulf News says Iran should stop trying to export its “Islamic Revolution” outside its territory. (The Gulf News)