Date

News:
PM Netanyahu says he will introduce legislation to define Israel as a “Jewish state.” (Reuters)
The State Department’s terror report says “price tag” attacks by Jewish extremistsagainst Palestinians went largely unpunished in 2013. (Ha’aretz/Ynet) 
Netanyahu condemns recent “price tag” attacks.  (Ha’aretz/Ynet)
Palestinian citizens of Israel accuse Israeli authorities of not trying to find “price tag” perpetrators. (Ha’aretz)
Finance Minister Lapid says “price tag” extremists who vandalized a mosque in northern Israel are being treated as terrorists. (Times of Israel)
Hamas says its Gaza forces will not take orders from Pres. Abbas. (Times of Israel)
Israel returns remains of Hamas militants killed in 1988. (The National)
Israeli forces enter a border area in southern Gaza. (Ma’an)
The PA ships medical equipment to Gaza. (Ma’an)
An Israeli soldier who was filmed aiming his rifle at Palestinian youth becomes a “facebook hero.” (Ha’aretz)
Jerusalem residents have to boil their water due to contamination. (Ha’aretz/Jerusalem Post)
Muslim scholars end a ban on visiting Al Aqsa mosque under occupation. (Jordan Times)
The Conference of Presidents of Major Jewish American Organizations reject J Street’s membership bid. (JTA/Jerusalem Post)
The search has started for a replacement for UN Syria mediator Brahimi. (Reuters)
An airstrike on a Syrian school kills 19. (AP/New York Times)
PM Maliki welcomes the high turnout for the parliamentary elections. (AP)
Egyptian Presidential candidate Sabahi lowers his expectations for the election. (New York Times/Washington Post)
Egypt’s Justice Minister Osman rejects criticism of mass death sentences against alleged Muslim Brotherhood members. (Xinhua)
US military aid to Egypt is in doubt over the mass death sentences. (The National)
Commentary:
Ali Jarbawi looks at why Abbas reconciled with Hamas. (New York Times)
Michael Young says Israel is creating a reality that makes peace impossible. (The National)
Peter Beinart says Sec. Kerry is wrong, because “apartheid” already exists in the occupied West Bank. (Ha’aretz)
David Landau says Kerry’s “apartheid” warning is clear. (Ha’aretz)
Ha’aretz says the reality described by Kerry must be altered by implementing the two-state solution. (Ha’aretz)
Gershon Baskin says Netanyahu is leading Israel to a “pariah state status.” (Jerusalem Post)
Aluff Benn says Netanyahu should be considered the hero of the binational state. (Ha’aretz)
Ben Caspit says Israel is worried that Special Envoy Indyk will resign. (Al-Monitor)
John Whitbeck says Israel’s “brutal occupation” must end. (Jordan Times)
The National says the fragmented approach to refugees in the Middle East is unsustainable. (The National)
Michael Young says Lebanese politician Geagea is lost between the national interest and his personal interests. (Daily Star)
The Daily Star says Lebanese Maronites lack “strength and cohesiveness.” 
Eyad Abu Shakra says in the Arab world democracy does not mean the rule of the people. (Asharq al-Awsat)
Abdallah Schleifer writes a letter to Field Marshall Sisi. (Al Arabiya)
Zaid Al-Ali says Maliki has been an “utter failure” in restoring actual security to Iraq. (Foreign Policy)
Joyce Karam asks if an Iranian nuclear agreement can save Pres. Obama’s legacy. (Al Arabiya)

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