News:
The
PA accuses Israel of preventing “a constructive solution to the challenges facing the peace process.”(Jerusalem Post)
Pres. Abbas arrives in Egypt for an
emergency meeting of Arab League foreign ministers. (Ma’an)
Prisoner release is a central issue in the peace talks impasse. (Washington Post)
Palestinian Christians say Israeli police are
spoiling Easter celebrations. (Ha’aretz)
Egypt arrests another journalist said to work for Al Jazeera. (Reuters)
The Saudi Shura Council says it will
end a ban on sports in state girls’ schools. (The National)
Commentary:
Hussein Ibish says recent cases involving athletes and artists show Gaza is still under Israeli occupation. (Now)
Osama Al Sharif says the failure of Kerry’s initiative may be the end of the two-state solution. (Jordan Times)
Aaron David Miller asks if Kerry will abandon his initiative or stick to his belief that a deal can be reached. (Foreign Policy)
Zvi Bar’el says when Israelis, both right and left, look at Kerry, they see a reflection of themselves. (Ha’aretz)
Peter Beinart says Pres. Obama’s efforts to broker a peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians failed three years ago. (Ha’aretz)
Henry Siegman explains why he thinks the US is irrelevant to Middle East peacemaking. (Ha’aretz)
Oded Eran and Robbie Sabel say Israel and the US should consider supporting full UN membership for the State of Palestine. (Jerusalem Post)
Yossi Mekelberg says both the Israelis and Palestinians do not realize that beyond brinkmanship there is desperation. (Al Arabiya)
Sharif Nashashibi says the release of Marwan Barghouti could bring peace between the Palestinians and Israel. (The National)
Jamal Khashoggi says Abbas’ application to sign 15 conventions is the Palestinians’ greatest achievement. (Al Arabiya)
Ha’aretz says DM Ya’alon should “clamp down” on settler terror against Palestinians. (Ha’aretz)
Michael Young says Lebanon must move quickly to benefit from its gas reserves. (The National)
The Jordan Times says Jordan and the Vatican are promoting the same Muslim and Christian values of peace, tolerance, and coexistence. (Jordan Times)