May 22nd, 2014

News:
The US says its up to the Israelis and Palestinian to “pick up” peace talks. (Times of Israel/Jerusalem Post)
US Special Envoy Indyk will reportedly leave office. (Ma’an)
UNRWA releases an infographic on refugee fatalities and injuries at the hands of Israeli occupation forces in the West Bank in 2013. (UNRWA)
PM Netanyahu reportedly threatened to fire Chief Negotiator Livni over her meeting with Pres. Abbas. (Ha’aretz/Times of Israel)
Pope Francis is seeking balance in his visit to the “Holy Land.” (New York Times/Ha’aretz)
Hamas and Fatah will reportedly agree that PM Hamdallah will stay in office in a new Palestinian government. (Xinhua/AFP)
The EU bans poultry imports from Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank. (Times of Israel)
Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Steinitz says the Jordan Valley is crucial to Israel’s survival. (Jerusalem Post)
Meretz party leader Gal-on says Marwan Barghouti is the only possible successor to Abbas. (Times of Israel)
The World Bank approves a $40 million grant to the PA. (Ma’an)
Former Fatah official Dahlan says he will run in a future election. (Ma’an/AFP)
A survey indicates that Jewish Americans want more religious pluralism in Israel. (JTA)
The family of slain activist Rachel Corrie appeals their civil suit to the Israeli Supreme Court. (Xinhua/Times of Israel/AP)
Tunisia grants 30-day visas to Palestinian refugees fleeing Syria. (Ma’an)
Residents of Damascus fear Pres. Assad’s election will provoke a rebel onslaught. (Reuters)
Syrian government forces break a prison siege in Aleppo. (Reuters/AP)
The Nusra Front reaches the foothills of the occupied Golan Heights. (Reuters)
A UNSC vote that would refer Syria to the ICC will likely face a Russian veto. (AP/New York Times)
King Abdullah of Jordan and Pres. Obama discuss the impact of the Syria crisis. (Jordan Times)
The Muslim Brotherhood urges Egyptians to boycott the presidential election. (AP)
Gen. Haftar calls on Libyan top judicial authorities to form a new presidential council. (AP/Washington Post)
Commentary:
Dennis Ross says the Obama administration should declare that it is not walking away from the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.(New York Times)
Ha’aretz say Israeli government efforts to evict the Palestinian population of Area C is a violation of international law. (Ha’aretz)
Akiva Eldar says Israel is pushing the occupied West Bank toward an economic disaster. (Al-Monitor)
Gershon Baskin says Palestinians are fighting for exactly what Jews fought for:“freedom, independence and identity.”(Jerusalem Post)
George Hishmeh says Israeli extremists could disrupt Pope Francis’ visit to the “Holy Land.” (Gulf News)
Mohammed Othman says Salafists in Gaza expect pressure from the new Palestinian government. (Al-Monitor)
Shlomo Avineri says proposed “Jewish state” legislation in Israel will only hurt Netanyahu. (Ha’aretz)
Abdul Rahman Al Rashed says Russian protection will not save Assad. (Al Arabiya)
Anthony Elghossain says Hezbollah is terrified of a debate. (Now)
Joyce Karam says Lebanon is spiraling into an “ominous” presidential void. (Al Arabiya)
Michael Young says Gen. Aoun is still “eyeing” the Lebanese presidency. (The National)
Danya Greenfield and Adam Simpson say drone strikes in Yemen are not achieving US security goals. (The National)

May 19th

News:
Pres. Abbas meets with Israeli Chief Negotiator Livni in London. (New York Times/Ha’aretz)
PM Netanyahu distances himself from Livni’s meeting with Abbas. (AP/Ha’aretz)
Pres. Obama reportedly hopes Netanyahu and Abbas will understand it is in their interests to renew talks. (Ha’aretz)
FM Lieberman says Israel must look beyond Abbas for peace partners. (Ha’aretz/Times of Israel)
Netanyahu blames PA incitement for reportedly high anti-Semitism rates in Gaza and the occupied West Bank. (Times of Israel)
Israel and the PLO eye political gains from Pope Francis’ visit to the Holy Land. (AFP)
Hamas says Abbas will announce the new Palestinian government next week. (Ha’aretz/AFP)
Hamas leader says the Gaza and West Bank governments will resign once a new government is agreed upon. (Ma’an)
Political arrests continue in the West Bank despite the Fatah-Hamas agreement. (Ma’an)
Jewish extremist settlers torch a private Palestinian field in Hebron. (Ma’an)
Israeli army reservists protest against “price tag” attacks in the occupied West Bank. (Ha’aretz/JTA/Times of Israel)
Israeli occupation forces arrest four Palestinians in Hebron and Bethlehem. (PNN)
Israel will elect a new president on June 10. (Jerusalem Post/Ynet/AFP)
Syrian opposition DM Mustafa resigns. (Reuters)
Pres. Assad extends his grip on central Syria. (Reuters)
The Chief of Syria’s Air Defense Ishaq dies in a battle near Damascus. (New York Times/Xinhua)
An Egyptian court jails more than 160 Muslim Brotherhood supporters for 15 years. (Reuters/AP/The National)
Libyan militias led by a former Gen. Haftar attack the parliament. (Washington Post/The National)
Libya’s army chief orders the deployment of Islamist-led militias to the capital. (AP)
Pres. Sleiman urges Hezbollah to leave Syria. (AP/Xinhua)

Commentary:
Michael Oren says Israel is not and will never be an “apartheid state.” (Los Angeles Times)
Saree Makdisi makes the case why the term “apartheid” fits Israel. (Los Angeles Times)
Benjamin Pogrund says the danger of Israel becoming an “apartheid state” is real and must be confronted. (Jewish Daily Forward)
Akiva Eldar says both Israel and the Palestinians should honor the Quartet's conditions .(Ha’aretz)
Abraham Foxman says “price tag” perpetrators should be vigorously investigated and prosecuted. (Ha’aretz)
Jeff Barak says many Knesset members are like “Hebrew neo-Nazis” in their disdain for minorities in Israel. (Jerusalem Post)
Sharif Nashashibi says Israel seeks to divide Palestinians along religious lines. (Al Arabiya)
Zeev Tzahor says the Fatah-Hamas agreement could increase the chances for peace. (Ynet)
John Whitbeck says Europe should try to do something useful for Israelis, Palestinians and peace. (Jordan Times)
Ha’aretz says Netanyahu prefers to “ride the fragments of hatred.” (Ha’aretz)
Hazem Balousha says a gifted Palestinian child artist from Gaza finds inspiration despite hardship. (Al-Monitor)
The Jordan Times says Hezbollah should not interfere in Maronite Patriarch Rai’s visit to the Holy Land. (Jordan Times)
Alasdair Soussi says the Syrian war is condemning its children to a desperate future. (The National)
Amer Al Sabaileh says the proliferation of terrorists and extremists in the Middle East poses a challenge to Jordan’s security. (Jordan Times)
Samir Sumaydee says a third premiership for PM Maliki would be disastrous for Iraq. (Asharq al-Awsat)
H.A. Hellyer says Arabs need to create new political ideologies. (Al Arabiya)
Mshari al-Zaydi says ruling Egypt is a “risky task.” (Asharq al-Awsat)
Rami Khouri says Iran’s role keeps on growing in the Middle East. (Daily Star)

May 16th

News:
Sec. Kerry says he is concerned about the death of two Palestinians shot during a protest by the Israeli occupation forces. (AFP)
Amnesty International says Israeli forces were reckless in the killing of two protesters in the occupied West Bank. (PNN)
Germany will not give Israel a subsidy for the purchase of German gunboats due to the breakdown of the peace talks. (Ha’aretz)
Pope Francis’ trip to the Holy Land stirs diplomatic dilemmas. (AP)
Hamas leader Haniyeh says details of the merger of security forces with Fatah have been agreed. (Ma’an)
A PA official says the PA is considering ceasing security contacts with Israel. (Ma’an)
Pres. Abbas arrives in Venezuela to seek observer status in three Latin American regional organizations. (AFP/XInhua)
Israel bans Palestinian banks from making deposits in Israeli banks and will run Palestinian electricity at half-strength. (JTA)
Israeli Housing Minister Ariel want to see 50 percent more settlers in the occupied West Bank by 2019. (Reuters)
Economy Minister Bennett will present PM Netanyahu with a proposal to annex “Area C” of the occupied West Bank. (Jerusalem Post)
Jewish extremist settlers uproot 58 olive trees in the occupied West Bank. (Ma’an)
Israeli occupation forces are using drones to track “price tag” extremists in the West Bank. (Ha’aretz)
Netanyahu tells Def. Sec. Hagel world powers must deny Iran any possibility ofdeveloping a nuclear weapon. (AFP/JTA/Times of Israel)
Kerry calls the Syrian presidential election a “farce.” (AP/New York Times/Washington Post)
“Friends of Syria” will step up assistance for Syria’s moderate opposition. (The National)
China’s biggest arms maker says it has never exported chlorine gas to Syria. (Reuters)
Five aid workers, who were held captive in Syria are freed. (AP)
A car bomb kills more than 40 at the Syrian border crossing. (New York Times)
Thousands of civilians flee Falluja after intensified shelling by the Iraqi government. (Reuters)
An Egyptian court tells the three Al Jazeera journalists that they must pay to see evidence. (New York Times)
The US is concerned at the lack of progress in Iranian international nuclear talks. (Reuters/Ha’aretz)
Commentary:
David Ignatius thinks the Middle East peace process is in “tatters.” (Washington Post)
The Daily Star says the “Palestinian flame” is strong, and will burn until Palestinians win their rights. (Daily Star)
George Hishmeh says Netanyahu is not ready to recognize a Palestinian state. (Jordan Times)
Adnan Abu Amer says Hamas is worried about the improved ties between Israel and Turkey. (Al-Monitor)
B. Michael says Israel has adopted “Groucho Marxism” as its official policy. (Ha’aretz)
Yossi Sarid says Israel’s schools are frightening children with the Holocaust and the Intifada. (Ha’aretz)
Raed Omari says it is surprising that UN Syria Envoy Brahimi held on for this long. (Al Arabiya)
Fahmy Howeidy says Egyptians should not rely on the army to forge change. (Al Arabiya)
Geoffrey Aronson says Egyptian officials are focusing on their own politics for now, while expecting a protracted conflict in Syria. (Al-Monitor)
Samir Atallah says Libya wasted 40 years on Gaddafi’s “destructive and pointless rule”, and it is still hopelessly mired in chaos. (Asharq al-Awsat)
Ahmad Majdoubeh says the world lacks a unified strategy or mechanism to deal with terror. (Jordan Times)

May 15th

News:
Palestinians commemorate the Nakba. (AP/PNN/Ma’an/The National)
Israeli occupation forces kill two Palestinians in Ramallah in Nakba Day protest. (Jerusalem Post)
Palestinian prisoners hold a solidarity hunger strike on Nakba day. (JTA)
Sec. Kerry and Pres. Abbas discuss peace and a possible new Palestinian government.(Reuters/AP/Ha’aretz/Times of Israel/AFP)
PM Netanyahu says he will explore alternative diplomatic options in the wake of the breakdown in negotiations with the Palestinians. (Ha’aretz/JTA/Ynet)
Def. Sec. Hagel arrives in Israel to meet with DM Ya’alon. (Ha’aretz/Times of Israel/JTA)
Israel denies it reached a sovereignty deal with the Vatican over a holy site in Jerusalem. (AFP)
Hamas evacuates Abbas’ Gaza residence. (AP/Ma’an/Ynet)
Hamas leader Haniyeh says a new Palestinian government will need the approval of the parliament. (AFP)
Fatah leader Barghouthi backs the agreement with Hamas. (Ma’an)
A humanitarian aid convoy will arrive in Gaza on Sunday. (Ma’an)
An exhibit in the occupied West Bank offers Gaza artists a rare showcase. (AP)
Two London Times journalists are released after being kidnapped in Syria. (Reuters)
Corruption seeps into aid for Syrian refugees. (AP)
The US is trying to project a “tough stance” to both sides of the Syrian war. (New York Times)
A Syrian official welcomes the resignation of UN Syria Envoy Brahimi. (AP)
Field Marshall Sisi asks for US help in fighting terrorism. (Reuters)
Egyptian expatriates vote in presidential poll. (AP)
Saudi King Abdullah appoints his son, Prince Turki bin Abdullah, as governor of Riyadh Province. (New York Times)
Qatar unveils new plans for labor reforms. (Reuters/The National)
Former Sec. Clinton says no deal is better than a “bad deal” with Iran. (AP/Ha’aretz/Times of Israel)
Commentary:
Saeb Erekat says Israel cannot erase the Nakba from history. (Ha’aretz)
The Jordan Times says for Palestinians all over the world, Nakba day commemorate their displacement. (Jordan Times)
Hazem Balousha says Islamic Jihad is cautious on the Hamas-Fatah agreement. (Al-Monitor)
Michael Oren and David Rothkopf discuss Zionism and the loyalty of Jewish Americans to Israel. (Foreign Policy)
Carolina Landsmann says Israel’s liberal left has forgotten how to fight. (Ha’aretz)
The National says Brahimi has been searching for two years for a way to end the fighting and start a political transition in Syria.(The National)
Michael Young says the Assad regime offers “desolation” to Syrian society. (Daily Star)
Joyce Karam says as diplomacy falters, the US is readying itself for more fighting in Syria (Al Arabiya)
Reuters interviews Sisi. (Reuters)
Mshari Al-Zaydi says Islamist cleric Qaradawi is refusing to acknowledge the defeat of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt. (Asharq al-Awsat)
The Daily Star says this year’s presidential election demonstrates that Lebanon is unfit for democracy. (Daily Star)
Michael Singh says the US should not soften its nuclear demands on Iran. (Washington Post)

May 13th

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)

May 12th

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)

May 9th

News:
Pres. Abbas says Palestinians will resume negotiations if Israel releases the fourth batch of prisoners and halts settlement construction for three months. (Ma’an)
Special Envoy Indyk talks about the breakdown of the peace talks. (Reuters/Ha’aretz/Jerusalem Post/JTA/Times of Israel/State Department)
NSA Rice meets with Abbas in Ramallah. (AFP/Xinhua/Ha’aretz/Jerusalem Post)
Palestinian Chief Negotiator Erekat says Israel is being hypocritical in condemning Palestinian reconciliation agreements. (Ha’aretz)
17 human rights groups urge Palestine to join the ICC. (New York Times/AFP/Ha’aretz/Times of Israel)
Israel fears rightists might carry out massive “hate crimes” during Pope Francis’ visit. (Ha’aretz)
Jewish “price tag” extremists vandalize a church in Jerusalem. (AFP/Ha’aretz/Times of Israel)
Hamas leader Abu Marzouq says a Palestinian unity government would be neither Fatah nor Hamas. (Ma’an)
A priest, who is a Palestinian citizen of Israel, is sacked for backing service in the Israeli army. (AFP)
A Danish lawmaker demands Palestine to be invited to the Eurovision song contest. (Ha’aretz)
Researchers say Palestinian women are deprived of basic rights under the occupation. (Jordan Times)
A political breakdown leaves 270 Syrian rebels trapped in Homs. (Reuters)
A parliamentary committee recommends the UK must prevent its nationals from fighting in Syria. (Reuters)
The US sanctions six Syrian government officials and a Russian bank. (AP)
Field Marshall Sisi tells Egyptian media not to press issues such as freedom of speech. (AP)
Egyptian tourism’s message to the world is “come anyway.” (New York Times)
A planned visit by the head of the Maronite church to Jerusalem stirs an outcry in Lebanon. (Reuters)
The Iraqi army faces death and desertions as it struggles to maintain the Anbar offensive. (Washington Post)
Commentary:
Jeffrey Goldberg says US officials also blame Palestinians for the collapse of the peace talks. (Bloomberg)
Abdullah Hamidaddin writes a letter to an Israeli citizen. (Al Arabiya)
Steven Cook says the emergence of Islamic Jihad in Gaza suggests violence may not be far behind. (Council on Foreign Relations)
Emily Hauser asks if US ignorance killed the peace process. (Ha’aretz)
Uri Savir says the biggest obstacle for a two-state solution has been the inability to determine a border between the two states. (Jerusalem Post)
Yizhar Hess says Israeli society will pay the price for “price tag” attacks. (Ynet)
Bakir Oweida says there are double standards in the Middle East when journalists deal with the Palestinian cause. (Asharq al-Awsat)
The National says Pres. Assad’s takeover of Homs is a “hollow victory.” (The National)
The Jordan Times says Washington’s diplomatic recognition of the Syrian opposition is a “belated move.” (Jordan Times)
Abdul Rahman Al Rashed says the US faces tough choices regarding the future of the Middle East. (Al Arabiya)
Alan Philps says North African countries have won hard-fought progress but still need outside support. (The National)

May 8th

News:
During her trip to Israel, NSA Rice says Middle East peace talks should continue. (AP)
Former Arab League Chief and Egyptian FM Moussa says, if Hamas wants a Palestinian state, it must recognize Israel. (AFP/Ha’aretz/Jerusalem Post)
Palestinian Chief Negotiator Erekat says PM Netanyahu prevented Pres. Peres from travelling to Jordan in 2011 to finalize a peace deal. (Times of Israel)
The Roman Catholic Church demands Israeli action to stop “price tag” attacks. (AFP/Ha’aretz/Jerusalem Post)
Former ICC prosecutor Moreno-Ocampo says a Palestinian decision to join the ICC could backfire. (Ha’aretz/AP/Ynet/The Media Line)
Peres will visit the White House at the end of June. (JTA)
Hamas executes two men accused of collaborating with Israel. (New York Times/Ma’an/JTA)
5,000 Palestinian prisoners start a mass hunger strike in Israeli jails. (Ma’an/Xinhua)
The former head of the Israel Atomic Energy Commission Eilaman says Netanyahu is using the Iranian nuclear threat for political gain. (Ha’aretz)
Large numbers of Palestinians in Gaza are suffering from psychological problems. (Al-Monitor)
Syrian rebels blow up a hotel in Aleppo used by government forces. (AP/Reuters/New York Times)
The Syrian opposition tells the US it needs weapons to battle Pres. Assad. (AP/New York Times)
Commentary:
Yair Auron writes a letter to a Palestinian reader about the Holocaust, Nakba and reconciliation. (Ha’aretz)
David Landau says Israel must not surrender to settler bullying and violence. (Ha’aretz)
Peter Beinart says J Street is creating a more open and honest discussion about Israel among Jewish Americans. (Ha’aretz)
Joyce Karam says building trust between Pres. Obama and Syrian Opposition Leader Jarba is a key to progress in Syria. (Al Arabiya)
Abdul Rahman Al Rashed asks why the US should arm the Syrian opposition. (Al Arabiya)
Jeffrey Goldberg asks if UN Amb. Power rebuked Obama on Syria policy. (Bloomberg)
The National says Field Marshall Sisi needs to put Egypt on the right track. (The National)
Rami Khouri writes a letter to the judges of Egypt. (Daily Star)
The Daily Star says Lebanon’s presidential election demonstrates its “farcical democracy.”
Eyad Abu Shakra asks if Gen. Aoun will become Lebanon’s next president due to the regional realities. (Asharq al-Awsat)
Dirk Vandewalle and Nicholas Jahr say Libya’s unexpected strength is that most of its people agree on major issues such as minority rights, Islam and federalism. (New York Times)

May 7th

ATFP Partners with Starkey Foundation to Offer Gift of Hearing to 2300 Patients in Palestine and Jordan
Press Release - May 7, 2014 - 12:00am

The American Task Force on Palestine (ATFP) is proud to have partnered with the 


News:
Pres. Peres says a 2011 peace agreement he had secretly negotiated with Pres. Abbas was blocked by PM Netanyahu. (AFP/Ha’aretz/JTA)
An aide to Abbas, Mohammad Al-Madani, confirms Peres account of a peace deal three years ago. (Times of Israel)
Israel’s National Security Advisor Cohen urges the US and the EU to blame Palestinians for the failure of the peace talks. (Ha’aretz)
NSA Rice is holding meetings in Israel. (AP/Reuters/AFP/Ynet/Jerusalem Post/JTA)
Israel is reportedly spying on the US at an “alarming level.” (AFP/Ha’aretz)
Israel rejects reports of its “extensive espionage” on the US. (Xinhua)
US Congress prepares hearings to reconsider aid to the PA after the agreement between Fatah and Hamas. (Jerusalem Post)
Israel transfers Palestinian tax revenues to the PA. (Reuters)
FM Lieberman criticizes Palestinian citizens of Israel who joined the “Nakba” protests. (AFP)
The EU demands greater transparency from Palestinians if they expect aid money to continue. (JTA)
The EU urges Israel to halt home demolitions in Area C. (Ma’an)
Hamas ends a ban on a West Bank newspaper. (AP/Reuters/Xinhua)
Israeli Chief Negotiator Livni holds an emergency meeting on how to stop “price tag” attacks. (Jerusalem Post)
Jewish “price tag” extremists vandalize the window of a Druze business in Israel. (Ha’aretz)
Egyptian authorities close the Rafah crossing. (PNN)
The conflict between Palestinians and settlers stalls a solution to the sewage crisis in the occupied West Bank  (AP)
The PA is “pressuring” Lebanon to allow entry of Palestinian refugees fleeing Syria. (Ma’an)
Syrian rebels begin evacuating the city of Homs. (AP/Reuters/New York Times/Xinhua)
Pres. Obama will meet with Syrian opposition leader Jarba. (AP)
Field Marshall Sisi says US tried to delay former Pres. Morsi’s ouster. (New York TImes)
Security authorities arrest 62 militants for allegedly having ties to Syrian and Yemeni terrorists in Saudi Arabia. (AP)
Commentary:
Munib al Masri says the main Palestinian players all seek a historic agreement with Israel.  (Ha’aretz)
Yossi Mekelberg says its Israel’s national interest and moral obligation to make peace with the Palestinians. (Al Arabiya)
Emily Hauser says the “iNakba” app is a brilliant idea. (Jewish Daily Forward)
Zvi Bar’el says Israel is maintaining an “ugly occupation,” not “apartheid” in the Palestinian territories. (Ha’aretz)
Ron Kronish says Israelis need to demand “quick action” from their government to fight “price tag” attacks. (Times of Israel)
Marwan Muasher explains how Arabs can defeat sectarianism. (New York Times)
Michael Young says the Obama administration’s behavior in the Middle East is paradoxical. (The National)
Osama Al Sharif says although Sisi will likely win the upcoming presidential election, it will not be an easy victory. (Jordan Times)
Mshari Al-Zaydi asks if the Arab world is currently living through the era of the second “fitna.” (Asharq al-Awsat)
Hassan Hassan says Syria’s rebels may be transforming and gaining ground. (The National)

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