News:

Sec. Kerry will meet with Pres. Abbas on Thursday to discuss peace talks. (New York Times)

Field Marshall Sisi says there is “real opportunity” for peace with Israel if it accepts the Arab Peace Initiative. (Ha’aretz/Times of Israel)

FM al-Maliki urges world leaders to declare “price tag” perpetrators terrorists. (Ma’an/Ha’aretz/Times of Israel/Reuters)

PM Netanyahu says, if the Fatah-Hamas unity deal is implemented, he will hold Abbas responsible for every rocket fired from Gaza to Israel. (Jerusalem Post)

A new PA government will be reportedly announced before the end of May. (Jerusalem Post)

Former PM Olmert sentenced to six years for corruption. (Reuters/New York Times/AFP/Ha’aretz/Jerusalem Post/The National)

Turkish FM Davotuglu calls Jerusalem “Palestinian land.” (Ha’aretz/Times of Israel)

DM Ya’alon will not increase the number of family visits to Palestinians in Israeli prisons. (Ha’aretz)

The PA urges FIFA to fine Israel. (Ynet)

Israeli authorities approve 26 projects in Gaza. (Ma’an)

Two Palestinian citizens of Israel will take part in “Arab Idol” for the first time. (Ynet)

France is preparing a UN resolution that seeks to refer parties to the Syrian conflict to the ICC. . (Reuters)

Aid workers are questioning the effectiveness of the UN Syria aid. (Reuters)

Human Rights Watch says the Syrian army yet again used chemical weapons in April. (AP)

IMF urges more aid to Jordan to cope with the Syrian refugee crisis. (Xinhua)

Jordan’s ambassador to Libya, who was abducted last month, is freed. (AP/The National/Jordan Times)

Sisi makes a plea to Egyptian youth. (AP/The National)

KRG Pres. Barzani says Kurds could “opt out” of next Iraqi government. (Reuters)

NSA Rice says there will be no nuclear deal with Iran unless it agrees to “verifiable action.” (Reuters)

Saudi FM al-Faisal invites his Iranian counterpart to Riyadh for negotiations. (Reuters)

Commentary:

Jimmy Carter says a united Palestinian government may provide new opportunities for peace. (Washington Post)

The Daily Star says, although Palestinians should commemorate their history, they should focus on the new “Nakbas” that are on the horizon. (Daily Star)

Geoffrey Aronson says Abbas reportedly agreed to allow 80% of settlers to remain in settlements annexed to Israel. (Al-Monitor)

Akiva Eldar interviews former ICC prosecutor Moreno-Ocampo. (Al-Monitor)

Yehezkel Dror says “obsolete paradigms” doomed Kerry’s initiative. (Ha’aretz)

J.J. Goldberg says there is a new generation of IDF chiefs that can be considered “hardline doves.” (Jewish Daily Forward)

Ha’aretz says Palestinian citizens of Israel need an exemption from discrimination. (Ha’aretz)

Rachel Lerner says a dynamic conversation on Israel is useful for the Jewish American community. (JTA)

Faisal Al Yafai says Syria’s “dirty secret” is that Pres. Assad would still win the presidential election even if it were free and fair. (The National)

Hassan Hassan and Michael Weiss say there is a potential rift between Saudi Arabia and the US despite the Kingdom’s “adjusted Middle East strategy.” (The American Interest)

Abdul Rahman Al Rashed says the Muslim Brotherhood is angered by Sisi’s piousness. (Al Arabiya)

H.A. Hellyer, says despite a “bleak” Arab Spring, youth should not give up. (Al Arabiya)

News:

Pres. Abbas will meet with Sec. Kerry in London on Tuesday. (Xinhua)

Israeli ministers approve a law to block the release of Palestinian prisoners. (Reuters/Xinhua/Ha’aretz/The Media Line)

Latin Patriarch Twal says “hate crimes” threaten Pope Francis’ visit to the Holy Land. (AP/AFP/Ha’aretz)

Israel accuses Special Envoy Indyk of doing nothing to help the Middle East peace talks. (Reuters)

The UN accepts Palestine as a signatory to the UN Convention Against Corruption. (Ma’an)

Israeli Minister Steinitz says “someone” wants to sabotage US-Israeli relations. (Ha’aretz/JTA)

Finance Minister Lapid defends his decision to stay in government despite impasse in peace talks. (Jerusalem Post)

Israeli soldiers open fire on Palestinian farmers in Gaza. (PNN/Times of Israel)

Israeli forces and Palestinian students clash at Al-Quds university. (Ma’an)

Israeli occupation forces detain 16 in West Bank raids. (Ma’an)

Israeli author Amos Oz say Jewish “price tag” extremists are “Hebrew neo-Nazis.” (Ynet)

PM Netanyahu says Iran’s nuclear program is a “clear and present danger.” (Reuters)

Syria officially opens its presidential campaign. (AP/Xinhua/Times of Israel)

Thousands of Syrians return to Homs after rebels leave. (AP/The National)

ISIS criticizes al-Qaeda and says it refuses to leave Syria. (AFP)

Field Marshall Sisi promises to make improvements in people’s living conditions in Egypt within two years, if elected. (AP/The National)

US Defense Secretary Hagel will meet with GCC Ministers in Saudi Arabia. (The National)

Militants kill 20 soldiers in northern Iraq. (Reuters/AP)

US officers kill two armed civilians in Yemen. (New York Times)

Commentary:

Aaron David Miller asks why Kerry’s initiative failed. (Los Angeles Times)

Rami Khouri asks why Abbas is waiting to try to join the ICC. (Daily Star)

Elliott Abrams says the Obama administration has made settlements a new obstacle to peace talks. (The Weekly Standard)

Bruce Stokes says Americans do not care about peace in the Middle East. (Foreign Policy)

Nicholas Pelham asks where is it really better to be a Christian in Israel or in the occupied territories. (Ha’aretz)

Moshe Arens says Jewish “price tag” extremists want to prevent Palestinian citizens of Israel from integrating in Israeli society. (Ha’aretz)

Amoz Oz explains why he thinks Jewish “price tag” extremists are “Hebrew neo-Nazis.” (Ynet)

Colin Shindler says Netanyahu’s “Jewish state” demand is a “public relations stunt.” (New York Times)

Seth Lipsky asks if the Jewish American community should speak with one voice on Israel. (Ha’aretz)

Hussein Ibish says more work remains to be done to repair US-Egypt relations. (The National)

Max Reibman says Egypt’s dependence on the GCC will be a challenge for any incoming Egyptian government. (Daily Star)

The Daily Star says the international community must work with Lebanon to manage the refugee crisis. (Daily Star)

Michel Kilo says the people of Homs never hesitated to “shoulder the burden” of the Syrian revolution. (Asharq al-Awsat)

The Jordan Times says the Arab world should defend media freedom. (Jordan Times)

Abdul Rahman Al Rashed says the Anbar province in Iraq is now suffering from al-Qaeda criminals, rebels and tribes allied with them. (Al Arabiya)

News:

Unnamed American officials reportedly primarily blame Israel’s continued settlement expansion for the failure of the peace talks. (Ynet/Times of Israel)

Pres. Abbas and Hamas leader Meshaal will hold talks in Doha. (Ma’an/AFP)

Palestinians are pushing to internationally brand Israel as the “occupier of Palestine.” (New York Times)

PM Netanyahu defends his plans for law defining Israel as a “Jewish state.” (AFP/Ynet)

Special Envoy Indyk may resign. (Ha’aretz)

The PLO joins five UN global treaties. (JTA)

Jewish “price tag” extremists vandalize a car in Israel and uproot olive trees in the occupied West Bank. (Ma’an/Ha’aretz)

DM Ya’alon calls on Israeli authorities to crack down on perpetrators of “price tag” attacks. (Times of Israel)

Islamic Jihad gains new traction against rivals Hamas in the Gaza strip. (New York Times)

3,000 PA police may begin to operate in Gaza as part of the unity deal. (Ma’an/Ha’aretz)

Israel remembers its fallen soldiers. (AP/Ha’aretz/Jerusalem Post) 

Israeli soldiers express frustration about their service in the occupied West Bank. (AP)

A new Yeshiva will open in occupied East Jerusalem. (Ynet/Reuters)

Ramallah celebrates Palestine Fashion Week 2014. (AP)

A PLO delegation heads to Syria to check on the conditions of Palestinian refugees. (Ma’an)

Syrian government forces kill 21 rebels in Aleppo. (AP)

Pres. Assad will face two other candidates in the Syrian Presidential election. (AP)

Persistent differences between Saudi Arabia and the US are hurting Syria policy. (Reuters/The National)

Turkey builds a wall to secure the border with Syria. (Reuters)

Educated women in Jordan face a shortage of jobs. (New York Times)

An Egyptian al-Qaeda inspired group claims responsibility for two attacks. (AP/Xinhua)

The Libyan Parliament swears-in new PM Ahmed Matiq under highly controversial circumstances.. (AP/Reuters/New York Times/The National)

The World Health Organization says polio is spreading at an alarming rate. (New York Times)

Qatar will launch a new tv satellite station to be run by Azmi Bishara. (The National)

Commentary:

Hussein Ibish says Palestinian unity agreement faces significant obstacles. (The National)

Rami Khouri says this a time of opportunity for Palestinians on three important fronts. (Daily Star)

Baraka El-Farra and Amine Kammourieh debate if Israel alone, or Sec. Kerry also, are responsible for undermining peace talks. (Asharq al-Awsat)

The Washington Post says its time for “a more pragmatic approach” in the Middle East. (Washington Post)

Mahmoud Jaraba and Lihi Ben Shitrit say the latest escalation in the Abbas-Dahlan dispute highlights the “bitter succession” fight in Fatah. (Daily Star)

Uzi Baram explains why he thinks Zionism has become a “dirty word.” (Ha’aretz)

Amer Al Sabaileh says Palestinian reconciliation is in everybody’s interest. (Jordan Times)

Samih Shabib and Khalil Shaheen debate if the Gaza agreement will result in a real unity government. (Asharq al-Awsat)

Sharif Nashashibi says we must acknowledge Israeli “apartheid,” (Al Arabiya)

Hussein Abu Hussein says Palestinian citizens of Israel wonder why Israel’s law enforcement’s resourcefulness disappear when it comes to “price tag” attacks. (Ha’aretz)

Amira Hass asks if Israeli authorities are really against “price tag” attacks. (Ha’aretz)

Fred Hiatt asks why the US stands by so “idly” on Syria. (Washington Post)

Abdul Rahman Al Rashed says Iraqi political pluralism, and the real diversity of top figures and parties, are worth appreciating. (Al Arabiya)