News:

Pres. Obama says the odds of completing a final treaty between Israel and the Palestinians is less than 50-50. (New Yorker)

Canada says settlements are illegal and an obstacle to peace. (Ha’aretz)

Israeli negotiators Livni and Molcho will meet with Sec. Kerry in Washington. (Xinhua)

Israel is transferring the bodies of 36 Palestinians to their families. (AP)

Two people are wounded in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza. (The New York Times)

PM Netanyahu criticizes UNESCO for postponing an exhibit on “Jewish connections to the Holy Land.” (AP)

Top Israeli business leaders say Israel needs to make peace with Palestinians to maintain a growing and stable economy. (Ynet)

Israeli Economy Minister Bennett says any Palestinian state will destroy Israel’s economy. (Ynet)

Three European pension funds are reviewing their holdings in Israeli banks over concerns on   financing settlements in the occupied West Bank. (Ha’aretz)

The PLO condemns the recent pro-settlement remarks from Australia’s FM Bishop. (Ha’aretz)

A Palestinian official says Israel is dictating the agenda in the peace process. (PNN)

Israel and Egypt are reportedly quietly cooperating against Hamas in Gaza. (The Times of Israel)

Israel releases a Hamas member. (AFP)

Israeli occupation forces injure a Palestinian man near Hebron. (Ma’an)

The Oscar nominated Palestinian film “Omar” tackles a taboo topic in Palestinian society. (Al-Monitor)

Israel will stop distributing gas masks to the public. (Xinhua)

The Syrian peace talks are in doubt after the UN invites Iran to attend. (AP)

The Syrian National Council reportedly suspends its participation in the Geneva II conference. (Xinhua)

The State Department reiterates its reservations about Iran’s participation in the Syria conference. (AP)

The World Food Programme says Syria peace talks must address the humanitarian crisis. (Reuters).

Iran starts implementing the interim nuclear deal. (AP)

Iraqi authorities say a series of bombings across Baghdad killed 21 people. (AP/Reuters)

PM Al-Maliki is trying to repeat the American “Awakening” strategy in Anbar. (New York Times)

The death toll rises to four in new clashes in Lebanon’s Tripoli. (Xinhua)

Egyptian prosecutors file new charges against former Pres. Morsi. (AP)

Commentary:

S. Daniel Abraham says Israel cannot survive the failure of peace talks. (Ha’aretz)

Gideon Levy says the “Jewish state” cannot be reconciled with the occupation. (Ha’aretz)

Moshe Arens says Israel should not relinquish the occupied territories out of fear of delegitimization. (Ha’aretz)

Yitzhak Laor says the victims of the late PM Sharon in Qibya and Sabra and Shatila must be remembered. (Ha’aretz)

Kobi Niv accuses the Israeli media of bias against non-Jews. (Ha’aretz)

The Gulf News says the UAE will not normalize relations with Israel until it makes peace with the Palestinians. (The Gulf news)

Abdullah Al Shayji says the future of the Arab World will be determined in 2014. (The Gulf News)

Amer Al Sabaileh says Jordan can play an essential role in the settlement of the contentious issues in the region. (The Jordan Times)

The National says the relatively high turnout of the Egyptian voters shows that the country is heading in the right direction. (The National)

Wael Haddara says the referendum on the new Egyptian constitution was a “red herring.” (The Daily Star)

Hadeel al Sayegh says dictatorship and religious extremists are bad choices for both Syrians and Iraqis. (The National)

Javier Solana says the Syrian war poses a threat to global security and Geneva II must not be wasted. (The Daily Star)

Sinan Ulgen says a Gulf-Turkey alliance is possible, but Aayid Mannaa says it isn’t. (Asharq Alawsat)

News:

Four Israeli Ambassadors in Europe are summoned over new settlement construction. (Ha’aretz)

Israel responds by summoning four European Ambassadors. (Xinhua/Ha’aretz)

PM Netanyahu dismisses international critics of Jewish settlements. (AP)

Netanyahu accuses the EU of a “hypocritical attitude” towards settlements. (AFP/Xinhua)

Netanyahu says if Pres. Rouhani agrees to recognize Israel, he would consider meeting him. (The Jerusalem Post)

Israeli sources claim Netanyahu privately backs a proposal to transfer Palestinian citizens of Israel to a future Palestinian state. (Times of Israel)

Israeli Finance Minister Lapid says Israel cannot absorb four million Palestinians. (Ynet)

UNSG Ban launches a new initiative and deems 2014 a “Palestinian Solidarity Year.” (PNN)

A PLO official condemns visits by rightist Israeli Jewish groups to the Al-Aqsa compound. (Ma’an)

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences says the Oscar nominee film “Omar” is from “Palestine” not the “Palestinian Territories.” (AP)

Israel’s Energy Minister Silvan Shalom will attend a conference in the UAE. (BBC)

An Israeli draft law that would criminalize using the word “Nazi” as an insult sparks debate on freedom of speech. (AP)

Israeli settlers farm lands confiscated from Palestinians in a village south of Hebron. (Ma’an)

Brandeis University is considering re-establishing a partnership with Al-Quds University. (JTA)

Seven Palestinian refugees are killed in a bombing at the Yarmouk camp. (Ma’an)

Syrian rebels in Damascus accuse pro-Assad forces of deception by using cease-fires to extract victories. (The New York Times)

Sec. Kerry urges the Syrian opposition to attend next week’s peace conference. (AP)

The Syrian opposition will meet to decide whether to join peace talks. (AFP)

Syrian FM al-Moallem says his country is prepared to implement a ceasefire in Aleppo. (AP/ Los Angeles Times)

The UN calls on all nations to keep their borders open to Syrian refugees. (AP)

Seven people are killed in Lebanon by a Syrian rocket. (Xinhua)

Gen. Sisi turns his attention to Egypt’s other problems and may run for president. (AP)

A student is killed at Cairo University in clashes between supporters and opponents of former Pres. Morsi. (Xinhua)

Iraqi officials say clashes with militants and a suicide attack killed five people. (AP)

Unemployed Tunisians clash with police in the city of Gabes. (AFP)

The Obama administration sends US lawmakers the latest Iran nuclear deal text. (Los Angeles Times)

Commentary:

Uri Savir says our duty beyond mutual recognition and conflict resolution, is to agree on a narrative for the future. (The Jerusalem Post)

Asmaa al-Ghoul says Hamas has failed to tackle youth issues. (Al-Monitor)

Yoel Marcus accuses DM Ya’alon for being partly responsible for the fact that Israel is the fourth hated country on earth. (Ha’aretz)

Jonathan Power says Sharon was “a man of very extreme views.” (The Jordan Times)

Zeev Sternhell says Sharon was an “immoral” man. (Ha’aretz)

Alan Philps says the Geneva II talks provide hope in ending the conflict. (The National)

Michael Glackin says the West will pay for its inaction in Syria, and the Geneva II is destined for failure. (The Daily Star)

Daniel Levy and Julien Barnes-Dacy say all external actors should be committed to avoiding a breakdown of the Geneva Talks. (Foreign Policy)

Amir Taheri says what is happening in the Arab world is neither an “Arab Spring” nor an “Islamic Awakening.” (Asharq Alawsat)

Meghan O’Sullivan says Washington must pressure Iraqi PM Maliki to change his sectarian politics and “growing authoritarianism.” (The Gulf News)

Fareed Zakaria advises against an active US involvement in Iraq. (The Washington Post)

The LA Times says the violence in Iraq should be a US concern. (Los Angeles Times)

David Kirkpatrick says the landslide approval of the Egyptian charter now sets the stage for a presidential bid by Sisi. (The New York Times)

The New York Times praises the Tunisian new constitution but not Egypt's. (The New York Times)

The Gulf News says stability in Lebanon depends on whether the Special Tribunal can hand out justice to the killers of the late PM Hariri. (The Gulf News)

News:

PM Netanyahu says he does not want a bi-national state. (Xinhua)

Netanyahu makes a surprise visit to Jordan. (AP/Los Angeles Times)

Israel strikes Gaza after militants fire rockets injuring five people. (AP/Ma’an)

The Palestinian film “Omar” is nominated for an Oscar. (Ha’aretz)

Netanyahu reportedly held an offshore bank account in the Channel Islands from 1999-2003. (Ynet)

Fatah calls on Hamas to respond to its reconciliation proposal. (Ma’an)

Israel’s security agency Shin Bet thwarts an alleged Hamas plot to kidnap Israelis. (Xinhua)

Israeli occupation forces detain three Hamas leaders in Hebron. (Ma’an)

Israeli activists release giant helium balloons to protest settler attacks against Palestinians. (AP/Ha’aretz) 

Protesters demonstrate in Bethlehem in support of striking UNRWA employees. (PNN)

The latest Congressional spending bill includes $3.1 billion for Israel. (JTA) 

Israel bans the use of the word "Nazi" as an epithet and use of Holocaust-related symbols in non-educational contexts. (The New York Times)

An Egyptian official says 90% of voters have approved the constitution. (AP)

A car bomb in Lebanon close to the Syrian border kills three people. (AP)

The trial of the four men accused of murdering former Lebanese PM Hariri has begun at The Hague. (BBC)

Iran offers to withdraw its forces and Hezbollah’s from Syria in an effort to mend relations with Saudi Arabia. (Jordan Times)

The UN says an Al-Qaeda-inspired group in Syria is committing mass executions. (AP)

The war in Syria triggers a spike in gun sales in Jordan. (AFP)

Security officials suspect Al-Qaeda militants attacked a military camp in Yemen, killing at least 12 soldiers. (AP/Xinhua)

The future King of Bahrain meets with top Shiite opposition leaders. (AP)

Iran invites Gulf states to visit a nuclear power plant. (AFP)

Commentary:

Ha'aretz asks if DM Ya'alon's harsh comments about Sec. Kerry are shared by Netanyahu. (Ha’aretz)

Ari Shavit says Ya’alon’s comments show he doesn’t understand the real threat to Israel is losing the US. (Ha’aretz) 

Zvi Bar'el says Israel should drop "God" from its politics and treat Palestinians and the US as partners for peace. (Ha’aretz)

George Hishmeh says the US should twist Israel’s arm to reach a peace deal with the Palestinians. (The Gulf News)

Akiva Eldar says FM Lieberman's plan for relocating Palestinian citizens of Israel has no demographic or strategic value. (Al Monitor)

Ali Gharib says Menendez-Kirk bill supporters on the Hill will suffer in future elections if they cause a war with Iran. (Ha’aretz)

Peter Beinart says the Menendez-Kirk bill is about ending all possibility of a nuclear deal with Iran. (Ha’aretz)

Mustafa Barghouthi expresses dismay at Quartet envoy Blair’s praise of late PM Sharon. (Ha’aretz)

Elka Looks says the Jewish-American community should counter BDS and educate for a two-state solution. (Ha’aretz)

Yitzhak Klein says suspension of due process is not a proper remedy for the incompetence of Israel’s police. (The Jerusalem Post)

Eyad Abu Shakra says the aim of the Geneva II conference is to end the revolution in Syria and rehabilitate Assad. (Asharq Alawsat)

The National advocates for a political solution to the conflict in Syria, and says a military option is now impossible. (The National)

David Cortright says Iran must be allowed to play a role in the Geneva II peace talks. (CS Monitor)

David Bukay says the Middle East region and the international arena will pay for Obama’s “tragic” policies. (The Jerusalem Post)

David Ignatius says in the future the US will be less vulnerable to Middle East turmoils because of its prudent energy policy. (The Daily Star)

Rami Khouri says the Special Tribunal for Lebanon should be judged on its merits. (The Daily Star)

The Jordan Times says by asking Jordan’s King to mediate with Saudi Arabia, Iran seems to be opening a new page with the Arab world. (Jordan Times)

Francis Matthew says the UAE is a model for other Arab states to follow. (The Gulf News)

News:

Israeli DM Ya’alon apologizes for his harsh remarks about Sec. Kerry’s peacemaking efforts. (Haaretz/Xinhua)

Kerry says he will not let criticism of his Middle East peace efforts to deter him. (Reuters)

A senior Palestinian official says the PLO may resume efforts to join more international organizations if peace talks fail. (Xinhua)

Suspected Jewish settler extremists spray racist graffiti and torch a mosque in the occupied West Bank. (AP/Xinhua/Ma’an)

The UN says the annual rate of Israeli settler attacks against Palestinians has almost quadrupled. (AP)

Hamas continues training youth in military techniques. (New York Times)

Israeli military vehicles enter a border area in Southern Gaza. (Ma’an)

Israel agrees to free two Palestinian Jerusalemites on the condition that they be deported. (Ma’an)

Kerry says Palestinian refugees in Syria are "dying of malnutrition," and calls on the Assad regimeto let humanitarian assistance to enter the besieged Yarmouk camp. (State Department)

The US pledges $380 million and Kuwait $500 million for additional humanitarian aid to Syria. (AP/Reuters)

Egyptians vote on the second and final day of a referendum on the country’s new constitution. (AP)

King Abdullah of Jordan discusses with Iranian FM Zarif the latest developments in Syria and progress on Middle East peace. (Xinhua)

Bomb attacks kill at least 59 people in Iraq. (Reuters)

Turkish Pres. Gul urges his own government to readjust its Syria policy. (Xinhua)

The opening of the Hariri trial in the Hague threatens more turmoil for Lebanon. (The National)

Tunisians celebrate the third anniversary of their uprising. (AFP)

UAE PM Sheikh Mohammed launches a seven year national plan. (Xinhua) 

Commentary:

Doyle McManus compares Sec. Kerry’s focus on three of the most tangled problems in peace talks to riding a bicycle. (Los Angeles Times)

Hasan Abu Nimah says the Israeli intransigence on peace talks is a “safety valve against [Kerry’s] bad deal.” 

Oudeh Basharat says that some Palestinian citizens of Israel will be ready to relocate to Palestine upon independence. (Ha'aretz)

Chemi Shalev says Ya’alon is risking being declared as declared persona non grata by the US.

David Horovitz says that Ya’alon comments make it certain that Israel rather than the Palestinians will be held responsible if Kerry’s peace efforts collapse. (Times of Israel)

Brent Sasley says Israel must acknowledge its part in the Palestinian Nakba in exchange for Palestinian acceptance of Israel as a “Jewish state.” (Ha’aretz)

Ha’aretz says Israel’s “apartheid legal system” has gotten worse after a new military court decision that denies Palestinians the right of appeal. (Ha’aretz)

Aluf Benn attributes the late PM Sharon’s perceived flexibility on Jewish settlements to his lack of ideology. (Ha'aretz) 

Chibli Mallat says Saddam Hussein saved Sharon through failed lawsuits in Belgium. (The Daily Star)

Ali Ibrahim says endorsing the new Egyptian constitution will herald the “second republic.” (Asharq Al Awsat)

Diana Moukalled says “fanaticism and fear” are spreading in Egypt and Kuwait. (Asharq Al Awsat)

Micah Halpern says Iran may be winning on the diplomatic front against the West but is losing the battle against modern culture. (The Daily Star) 

David Ignatius says only Pres. Obama’s can fix his administration’s broken foreign policy. (The Daily Star)

J.J. Goldberg says that the debate over the Menendez-Kirk Iran sanctions bill is getting uglier within the Jewish community. (The Jewish Daily Forward)

The Gulf News says the Syrian opposition should attend the Geneva II talks. (The Gulf News)

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News:

Palestinians are being starved and murdered by pro-Assad forces at the Yarmouk refugee camp. (AP/The Media Line)

PLO officials say efforts to ease the siege at Yarmouk and deliver aid have failed. (Ma'an)

8 more Palestinians are killed in Yarmouk and Khan al-Sheik in Syria. (Ma'an)

Palestinian Labor Minister Ahmad Majdalani accuses Syrian rebels of attacking the refugee camp. (Xinhua)

PM Netanyahu meets with VP Biden. (Xinhua)

Sec. Kerry again voices optimism on Middle East peace. (AP)

Many former Israeli generals say Israel can safely afford to leave the Jordan Valley. (Jerusalem Post)

Israel's defense minister reportedly calls Kerry "messianic and obsessive." (Reuters/YNet/AFP)

Israel's Economy Minister Bennett yet again calls for annexation in the occupied West Bank. (Jerusalem Post)

Palestinians condemn Israeli "incitement" against Abbas. (Xinhua)

Germany's FM says Israeli settlement activity is hindering US peace efforts. (Xinhua)

The PLO says it's preparing contingency plans to join more UN agencies in response to Israel's settlement activities. (Xinhua/Ha'aretz)

Netanyahu says Abbas' recent statements show he's not ready for peace. (PNN)

Former Defense Secretary Gates' new book is highly critical of Netanyahu. (Ha'aretz)

Hamas says it wants guarantees from Fatah regarding elections. (Xinhua)

Twitter suspends the account of Hamas' military wing. (Ha'aretz)

Israeli settlers and occupation forces stop PM Hamdallah's motorcade near Ramallah. (Ma'an/PNN)

Qatar says it will grant 20,000 work permits to Palestinians. (Ma'an)

Egypt is becoming increasingly hostile to Hamas. (Jerusalem Post)

Egyptians begin voting on a new constitution, amid a climate of fear. (New York Times/AP)

The Egyptian vote is seen as a referendum on the performance of the interim government. (Christian Science Monitor/Los Angeles Times)

Syrian government forces advance amid rebel infighting, killing 62 rebels. (Reuters/Xinhua)

US presses the Syrian opposition to join upcoming peace talks. (New York Times)

26 more people are killed in Iraq during the visit of UNSG Ban. (AP)

Iraq is struggling to re-secure control of its border with Syria as Al Qaeda is resurgent. (Reuters)

Pres. Obama opposes Congressional efforts to add new sanctions against Iran. (New York Times)

Hard-liners in Iran cautiously praise the interim nuclear agreement with the West. (New York Times)

An Al Qaeda-linked group in Lebanon vows to strike Iran. (AP)

Commentary:

Hussein Ibish says Palestinians are being deliberately starved to death in Syria. (NOW)

Gustavo Gonzalez says the private sector must get involved in Syrian refugee relief efforts. (Jordan Times)

Hassan Barari says Jordan has no reason to trust Abbas. (Jordan Times)

Hassan Barari says Kerry's mission will be futile without dealing with Jerusalem. (Arab News)

Richard Cohen says Israel is becoming more isolated. (Washington Post)

The Jerusalem Post says Israeli unilateralism remains a good option. (Jerusalem Post)

Al Jazeera America compiles a list of short assessments of Sharon's legacy. (Al Jazeera America)

Henry Kissinger says former PM Sharon made a journey towards peace. (Washington Post)

Akiva Eldar says Sharon did everything he could to hinder a peace agreement with the Palestinians. (Al Monitor)

Rashid Khalidi says Sharon was a war criminal, not a peacemaker. (Foreign Policy)

Eric Yoffie says Sharon was a hero for saying no to settlers. (Ha'aretz)

Smadar Perry says Sharon was a respected enemy in the Arab world. (YNet)

Rami Simani says the Israeli far right must "forgive" Sharon. (YNet)

Emily Hauser says Sharon is one of the main reasons she can no longer live in Israel. (Ha'aretz)

Gideon Levy says Sharon's funeral was long on symbolism but short on emotion. (Ha'aretz)

Nathan Jeffay asks what would happen if Sharon had died eight years ago. (The Forward)

Seth Siegel says there is no apartheid in Israel and condemns boycotts. (Los Angeles Times)

Paul Moss remembers the late Palestinian physician and activist Dr. Eyad Sarraj. (The Guardian)

The Washington Post says the US shouldn't be supporting Egypt's "bogus democracy." (Washington Post)

Avi Issacharoff asks what's at stake in Egypt's constitutional referendum. (Times of Israel)

Robert Zaretsky says the world hasn't paid enough attention to Tunisia's constitutional progress. (The Forward)

The National says the UAE PM is right to offer Israel and Iran better trade links in exchange for better policies. (The National)

M. E. Bowman says convicted Israeli spy Jonathan Pollard should stay in prison. (New York Times)

Fawaz Gerges says PM Al-Maliki's policies have created an opportunity for Al Qaeda in Iraq. (Gulf News)

Nadim Mansouri and  Abdelnabi Abdel-Sattar debate whether social media helps or hurts radical Islamists. (Asharq Al Awsat)

Hussein Ibish, Jonathan Schanzer and Rami Khouri talk with CNN's Jim Clancy about the Syrian refugee crisis. (CNN)

News:

Pres. Abbas says he won't make any concessions on occupied East Jerusalem. (AP)

FM al-Maliki met with Sec. Kerry in Paris on Sunday to discuss the status of peace talks. (Ma'an)

Recognition of Israel as a "Jewish state" remains a major stumbling block in negotiations. (Xinhua)

Efforts to relieve the siege of Palestinians at the Yarmouk refugee camp in Syria are said to have failed. (Ma'an)

Israel Jordan Valley settlements are being hit by an international boycott campaign. (AP)

Palestinian protesters block the entrance to an Israeli settlement built on privately owned Palestinian land. (Ma'an)

Israel holds a state funeral for the late former PM Sharon. (New York Times)

There is much international praise and criticism for Sharon. (New York Times/Reuters/BBC)

Many Israelis mourn Sharon. (Washington Post)

Palestinians and Israeli settlers both express joy at Sharon's death. (AP/Times of Israel)

Israel's military says two rockets have been fired from Gaza toward southern Israel. (AP)

Egypt destroys 10 Gaza smuggling tunnels. (Ma'an)

Iran says Hezbollah has significantly increased its missile capabilities. (Xinhua)

Iran says it is indispensable to resolving regional disputes. (Xinhua)

Virtually all other Syrian rebel groups have turned against the Al Qaeda-inspired ISIS. (New York Times)

Qatar remains a major source of support for Syrian rebels. (Los Angeles Times)

Clashes between the military and militants are spreading in Iraq. (New York Times)

UNSG Ban is visiting Iraq amid the growing crisis. (AP)

This week's constitutional referendum may define Egypt's near-term political future. (AP)

The UAE PM urges Gen. Sisi to stay in the Egyptian army. (Reuters)

Negotiators put final touches on the interim international nuclear agreement with Iran. (New York Times)

The ruler of Dubai calls for the lifting of sanctions on Iran. (Reuters)

Commentary:

Abdul Rahman Al Rashed says it seems Israel is becoming increasingly reconciled to the need for peace with the Palestinians. (Arab News)

Amer Sabaileh says Jordan is becoming increasingly concerned about the terms of an Israeli-Palestinian deal. (Jordan Times)

Ha'aretz says PM Netanyahu must understand the price of thwarting negotiations with settlements. (Ha'aretz)

Douglas Bloomfield says Netanyahu's key aides are trying to block peace. (Jerusalem Post)

Ben Caspit says extremist "price tag" settlers seem determined to spark a conflict in the occupied territories. (Al Monitor)

Shlomi Eldar says a slow but steady escalation is growing between Israel and Gaza. (Al Monitor)

ATFP Senior Fellow Hussein Ibish, Ronen Bergman, Nahum Barnea, Haviv Rettig Gur, Yossi Beilin,David Hazony, Aaron David Miller and Rami Khouri look at Sharon's legacy. (Foreign Affairs/New York Times/YNet/Times of Israel/JTA/The Forward/Foreign Policy/The Daily Star)

Avi Shlaim says Sharon was a champion of violence. (The Guardian)

Avi Issacharoff says some Arabs who came to know him ended up with a grudging respect for Sharon. (Times of Israel)

The Jerusalem Post says Sharon left no lasting vision or ideology. (Jerusalem Post)

Mitch Ginsburg says Sharon's worldview was shaped by a near-death battlefield experience in 1948. (Times of Israel)

Aluf Benn says Sharon's likely successor is, counterintuitively, Yair Lapid. (Ha'aretz)

Ha'aretz compiles a compendium of its own articles about Sharon. (Ha'aretz)

The New York Times says it's time for the US to begin resuming aid to moderate Syrian rebels. (New York Times)

Abdul Rahman Al-Rashed says all sides in Syria seem exhausted. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Doyle McManus says Syria shows the dangers of proxy wars in the Middle East. (Los Angeles Times)

James Dubik says fighting Al Qaeda in Iraq is an American national interest. (Washington Post)

Rami Khouri says Al Qaeda has no future in the Arab world. (The Daily Star)

Hussein Ibish says the downfall of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt is causing the regional movement to begin to split. (The National)

Daniel Byman and Tamara Wittes say the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood isn't a terrorist organization but may become one. (Washington Post)

The CSM talks to three Egyptian activists, one who says he's given up on politics, a second who now backs Sisi for president, and a third who says activists have been sidelined. (Christian Science Monitor)

Ahmed Khadry says Egypt's voters appear apathetic and despondent. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Ray Takeyh says the US can have a nuclear deal, but not full-fledged détente, with Iran. (Washington Post)

Asharq Al-Awsat interviews Al-Azhar Under-Secretary Dr. Abbas Shouman. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

News:

Israel announces plans for 1,800 new settlement housing units in the occupied territories. (AFP/AP)

PM Netanyahu reportedly rejects the inclusion of Jerusalem in Sec. Kerry's framework for peace. (Ha'aretz)

The US reportedly threatens to cut aid to the PA if current peace talks fail. (Times of Israel)

US reportedly denies pressuring the Arab League to recognize Israel as a "Jewish state." (Jerusalem Post)

Divisions are growing within Israel's cabinet, especially over peace with the Palestinians. (JTA)

Israel is continuing a controversial excavation project in occupied Hebron. (AFP)

Palestinian citizens of Israel continue to voice outrage over population transfer proposals. (AP)

A minority of Palestinian citizens of Israel may support joining a Palestinian state. (Ha'aretz)

Palestinians host their first ever Arab Media Conference, but Israel denies many participants entry. (The Media Line)

In defiance of the World Bank, Israel is refusing to allow Palestinians to use a landfill in the occupied West Bank. (Ha'aretz)

Fatah says it has made a proposal for national unity to Hamas. (Ma'an)

Islamic Jihad may be attempting to sabotage Palestinian reconciliation. (Jerusalem Post)

Suspected Jewish extremisst cut down Palestinian fruit trees. (AFP)

A further "price tag" attack may have been thwarted. (YNet)

Palestinian refugees in Lebanon worry about conflict with Hezbollah. (The Daily Star)

Former PM Sharon's health condition reportedly worsens. (AP/Xinhua)

US officials are concerned that extremists in Syria are recruiting and training Americans for attacks in the US. (New York Times)

Indonesian jihadists are being drawn into Syrian conflict. (AP)

US may be readying to resume nonlethal assistance to the Syrian opposition. (New York Times)

Nearly 500 have been killed in fighting between rival Syrian rebel groups. (AP)

A bomb kills 22 at an Iraqi military recruiting center. (New York Times)

Iraqi Kurds begin exporting their oil through Turkey. (AP)

Libya is trying to gain control of militia members by withholding their pay. (Christian Science Monitor)

Tunisia's Islamist Prime Minister resigns in favor of a new technocratic government. (AFP)

Commentary:

ATFP Pres. Ziad Asali explains why Palestinians are so puzzled and disturbed by Israel's "Jewish state" demand. (Ha'aretz)

Alex Fishman speculates on what Kerry's framework agreement might look like. (YNet)

Israeli Tourism Minister Landau says there are no more "red lines" in negotiations which are making substantial progress. (Jerusalem Post)

Kifah Ziboun looks at the future of the Jordan Valley. (Asharq Al Awsat)

Ben Caspit says settler "price tag" violence will ignite the next intifada. (Jerusalem Post)

Aluf Benn says Israel's refusal to disclose the full list of who it sells arms to raises moral issues. (Ha'aretz)

Amira Hass says Palestinian bureaucracy and politics can make foreign investment very difficult. (Ha'aretz)

The Telegraph interviews FM Lieberman, who calls Palestinian citizens of Israel "schizophrenic." (The Telegraph)

Haviv Rettig Gur says Lieberman's population transfer proposal was cynical but politically canny. (Times of Israel)

Lior Akerman says Israel is right to demand Palestinians recognize it as a "Jewish state." (Jerusalem Post)

Charles Krauthammer says those who would boycott Israel should be boycotted themselves. (Washington Post)

Michael Felsen says the only way to counter a growing boycott movement is to aggressively promote peace. (Ha'aretz)

Assaf Sharon says the occupation is producing a growing boycott movement that is harming Israel. (YNet)

Hassan Hassan says a new uprising against them may have destroyed Al Qaeda's hold on parts of Syria. (Foreign Policy)

Rodger Shanahan asks why so many Shiites are fighting in Syria. (The Daily Star)

Greg Jaffe looks at the new memoir by former Defense Secretary Gates, which he calls self-contradictory. (Washington Post)

Alan Phillips doesn't think much of Gates' book. (The National)

The Daily Star says Gates' book shows why the US is nearing irrelevance in the Middle East. (The Daily Star)

H A Hellyer says religion can be a positive force in Egypt. (The National)

Shadi Rahimi says jailed Egyptian activists despair for the future of the country. (Al Monitor)

Mustapha Al Noman asks what's next for Yemen.  (Asharq Al Awsat)

May Yamani says Saudi Arabia yearns for return to familiar stability, which it probably won't get. (The Daily Star)

Fouad Ajami says the US needs to be very careful about considering a tilt towards Iran and away from Sunni Arab states. (Wall Street Journal)

News:

Sec. Kerry will update the Arab League on Israeli-Palestinian peace talks. (Times of Israel)

Pres. Abbas and Jordan's King Abdullah reportedly plan to coordinate their responses to Kerry. (Jerusalem Post)

The Middle East Quartet says it will continue to coordinate with Jordan. (Jordan Times)

3 Palestinians are wounded in two separate Israeli airstrikes. (Ma'an/Xinhua)

Rockthrowing Palestinians disrupt a meeting between Israeli and Palestinian activists. (AP)

Peace Now urges the Israeli government to dismantle illegal settlements after clashes with Palestinians. (AFP)

An Israeli human rights group says it has video showing Israeli troops participating in settler attacks against Palestinians. (Ma'an)

Pope Francis' upcoming Middle East trip is said to have "a political dimension." (YNet)

Hamas is trying to rebuild its relations with Iran. (The Guardian)

A Fatah official says he will visit Gaza when Hamas is ready for unity. (Xinhua)

Palestinian officials say Hamas and Fatah have been holding productive discussions about unity. (Xinhua)

Hamas complains Egypt is not taking the humanitarian crisis in Gaza "seriously." (Ma'an)

A strike by UNRWA workers adds to Palestinian woes. (Reuters)

Hundreds of Palestinian citizens of Israel protest ongoing home demolitions in the Negev. (Ma'an)

There are ways for Israeli settlers to establish outposts by avoiding Israeli building regulations. (Ha'aretz)

Israel's military refuses to issue a complete list of foreign weapons sales. (Ha'aretz)

The violence in Iraq appears to be a sequel to the American war there. (New York Times)

A bombing near an Iraqi army recruiting center kills 21. (AP)

Four different armed groups are reportedly fighting in Falluja. (Al Monitor)

ISIS is being dealt a serious blow in Syria by other rebel forces. (New York Times)

Syria reports two different attacks by rebels on chemical weapons sites. (New York Times)

Russia blocks condemnation of Syrian government air strikes on Aleppo. (AP)

A car bomb near a school in central Syria kills at least 18. (AP/Reuters)

Syria's opposition holds its first "unified" meeting in years to discuss upcoming peace talks. (Reuters)

Turkey says Iran can play a role in resolving the Syrian crisis. (Xinhua)

Jordan appeals for $2.4 billion in US aid for Syrian refugees there. (Xinhua)

A large arms seizure in Bahrain raises fears of further violence. (BBC)

Bahrain suspends reconciliation talks with opposition groups. (Reuters)

Egypt sentences 63 Muslim Brotherhood supporters to three years each for violence-related charges. (Reuters)

Support for Egypt's military-led government appears strong amid an ongoing crackdown. (Washington Post)

Egyptian satirist Dr. Bassem Youssef is planning a comeback. (AP)

Fanatics attack books in Lebanon. (AP)

Yemen bans the formation of religious political parties. (The Media Line)

Tunisia's constituent assembly appoints an electoral commission, paving the way for the new, technocratic government. (AP)

International nuclear negotiations with Iran hit a snag on centrifuge research questions. (Reuters)

Commentary:

Ari Shavit says the Zionist right needs Sec. Kerry to save it from itself. (Ha'aretz)

Barak Ravid says PM Netanyahu wants to say yes to Kerry, but without anybody noticing. (Ha'aretz)

Daniella Cheslow says Hamas' fortunes continue to sink amid regional changes. (McClatchy)

Asmaa al-Ghoul says Hamas is eager to reach a security arrangement with Egypt. (Al Monitor)

Daniel Seidemann says the Israeli myth of a "united Jerusalem" is collapsing under the weight of its own contradictions. (The Guardian)

Linda Gradstein says Kerry is pushing for recognition of Israel as a "Jewish state." (The Media Line)

Roy Isacowitz says Netanyahu's peace plan is to do nothing. (Ha'aretz)

Daniel Friedmann says there are signs the "Jordanian option" might once again be plausible. (YNet)

Hagai Segal says there can be no Israeli compromise on Jerusalem. (YNet)

A Palestinian student from Syria describes the experience of being a Palestinian in the Syrian war. (PNN)

Chemi Shalev says David Ben-Gurion did not see Israel as "the nation-state of the Jewish people." (Ha'aretz)

Ha'aretz says "price tag" attacks can and must be thwarted. (Ha'aretz)

Gershon Baskin says there's more than enough water for Israelis and Palestinians. (Jerusalem Post)

Dalia Hatuqa looks of the pitfalls of reporting on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. (The National)

Madawi Al-Rasheed says a closer alliance with Pakistan is central to Saudi Arabia's new security strategy. (Al Monitor)

David Ignatius says Iran's fingerprints can be seen in violence in Falluja. (Washington Post)

Caryle Murphy says PM AL-Maliki finds himself somewhat isolated in the battle in Anbar. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

The Daily Star says the US is demonstrating a double standard about Al Qaeda in Syria and Iraq. (The Daily Star)

Michael Weiss looks at the unfolding of rebel infighting in Syria. (NOW)

David Owen says a cease-fire in Syria is not completely out of reach. (Christian Science Monitor)

Michael Young says fighting between Syrian rebels suggests there will be no resolution to the conflict soon. (The National)

David Kenner looks of the controversial death of a Reuters stringer photographer in Syria. (Foreign Policy)

Francis Matthew says Pres. Putin is ruthlessly exploiting his opportunity in Syria. (Gulf News)

Ibrahim Saif says Jordan desperately needs international support to deal with the Syrian refugee crisis. (Jordan Times)

Antoine Lambroschini says Ennahda in Tunisia is learning from the mistakes of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt. (Arab News)

Michael Young says Lebanon cannot continue to operate in a political vacuum. (The Daily Star)

Aaron David Miller says the Obama administration's foreign policy is a logical one. (Foreign Policy)

The National says Robert Gates' memoirs show the Obama administration's lack of vision. (The National)

Denise Natali says PM Erdogan is mishandling the Kurdish issue. (Al Monitor)

Asharq Al-Awsat interviews Yemen's Legal Affairs Minister, Mohammed Al-Mekhlafi. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

News:
US officials say a draft US framework agreement may be presented to the parties soon. (YNet)

US Amb. Shapiro says Pres. Abbas and PM Netanyahu said "things no one ever heard before" in recent meetings. (Jerusalem Post)

Israeli DM Ya'alon says peace talks with Palestinians may be extended and denounces settler "terrorism." (AFP/Times of Israel)

Abbas will meet with Jordan's King Abdullah today. (Ma'an)

The largest Dutch pension fund divests from companies that are involved in the Israeli occupation. (Ha'aretz)

Israel's interior minister strongly criticizes FM Lieberman's proposal to transfer Palestinian villages in Israel to a Palestinian state. (Ha'aretz)

Lieberman defends his population transfer plan. (Times of Israel)

Palestinian officials say an Islamic Jihad militant was killed in an Israeli drone strike in Gaza. (AP/Reuters)

Israel denies it conducted a drone strike at all. (Ma'an)

The Israeli military denies any involvement in a shooting in Gaza. (Xinhua)

Egypt says after two months of continued closure, it will open the Gaza crossing for two days. (Ma'an)

Hamas says it will release seven Fatah prisoners as a "unity gesture." (Ma'an)

Extremist settlers torch Palestinian cars in Nablus. (Ma'an)

A series of photos depicts Palestinians relaxing in various ways. (New York Times)

Saudi Arabia is increasing its backing of Syrian rebels. (New York Times)

Many analysts think the extreme Al Qaeda faction in Syria, ISIS, is overstretched and threatened. (Washington Post)

More moderate Syrian rebels seize a key Al Qaeda base in Aleppo. (AP/BBC)

The main Syrian political opposition group remains undecided about upcoming peace talks. (AP)

The first shipment of Syrian chemical weapons out of the country has commenced. (Xinhua)

PM al-Maliki says victory over Al Qaeda is certain. (Reuters)

At least 18 more people are killed in ongoing violence in Iraq. (Xinhua)

A new survey suggests most Saudi men blame women for molestation incidents. (Reuters)

Commentary:

Adnan Abu Amer says relations between Egypt and Hamas have hit an all-time low. (Al Monitor)

Raphael Ahren looks at Palestinian options if peace talks should break down. (Times of Israel)

Peter Beinart says whatever is in textbooks, occupation is the ultimate incitement for Palestinians. (Ha'aretz)

Yigal Sarna says, instead of getting rid of Palestinian citizens, Israel should get rid of Lieberman. (YNet)

Shlomi Eldar says Palestinian citizens of Israel have voiced their strong opposition to Lieberman's transfer policy. (Al Monitor)

Amnon Abramovich asks when Netanyahu will grow up and start meeting his urgent responsibilities. (YNet)

Daniella Peled says Israeli right-wingers are deluding themselves about living conditions in Gaza. (Ha'aretz)

Amos Harel says, under increasing pressure, Israeli settler extremists could intensify their violence. (Ha'aretz)

Liam Hoare says Britain should apologize for the Balfour Declaration. (The Forward)

Gil Troy says former PM Sharon saved Israel twice. (Jerusalem Post)

Thomas Friedman highly recommends the new book by Marwan Muasher. (New York Times)

James Jeffrey says the US must act decisively in Iraq and other key Middle Eastern battlegrounds. (Washington Post)

Nabeel Khoury says, rather than supporting him by talking to him, the US should be encouraging Iran and Russia to abandon Pres. Assad. (Los Angeles Times)

Amr Moussa says he's sure Egyptians will approve the new Constitution he led the drafting of. (New York Times)

Reuters interviews Jehane Noujaim, maker of the film "The Square," about the movie and current developments in Egypt. (Reuters)

The CSM says religious leaders are best placed to help end Sunni-Shiite violence in Iraq. (Christian Science Monitor)

Osama Al Sharif bemoans the "fratricidal wars" in Iraq and Syria. (Jordan Times)

Semih Idiz says Turkey's government is deeply threatened by the spread of war in Syria. (Al Monitor)

Roula Khalaf says, as the US continues to seem to turn away from the Middle East, Arabs must become more self-reliant. (Gulf News)

Rami Khouri says the Middle East is entering a "post-everything" era. (The Daily Star)

Chantal Berman looks at the post-revolutionary protest movements in Tunisia. (Foreign Policy)

News:

Palestinian sources claim Sec. Kerry is proposing the return of 80,000 Palestinian refugees to Israel. (Xinhua)

Reports suggest the US may be trying to add language about a "Jewish state" to the Arab Peace Initiative. (Times of Israel)

Israeli officials doubt an agreement can be reached within nine months. (Reuters)

Israeli cabinet minister Bennett dismisses all notions of a land swap with the Palestinians. (Jerusalem Post)

Palestinian citizens of Israel call FM Lieberman's land swap proposals "delusional." (Ha'aretz)

Jordanian officials say PM Netanyahu is ready for a land swap with Palestinians. (YNet)

Israeli settlers voice their objections to Kerry's peace efforts. (Christian Science Monitor)

Hebron settlers say Netanyahu "may meet a worse fate" then former PM Sharon. (JTA)

Israeli extremists mock Kerry's peace efforts. (BBC)

Israel approves 272 new settlement homes in the occupied West Bank. (AFP)

Jewish vandals damage Palestinian cars and spray graffiti in Jaffa. (Ma'an)

A rocket fired from Gaza lands in southern Israel without causing any injuries or damage. (Xinhua)

A Palestinian man is crushed to death due to overcrowding at an Israeli West Bank checkpoint. (Ma'an)

Israeli officials complain about incitement by Palestinians. (New York Times)

Israeli forces arrest three Palestinians in the occupied West Bank. (Ma'an)

Egyptian forces shoot and wound two Palestinian youths exiting a Gaza smuggling tunnel. (Ma'an)

Czech officials demand an explanation for weapons discovered at the Palestinian mission in Prague. (New York Times/AFP)

Palestinian villagers capture and briefly detain a group of Israeli settlers they say attacked them in the occupied West Bank. (New York Times)

Hamas holds another military training program for Gaza youth. (Xinhua)

Hamas says it is making "goodwill gestures" to Fatah. (Xinhua/Ha'aretz)

Saudi Arabia says it is donating $40 million to the Palestinian budget. (PNN)

The US and Iran are increasingly seen by some as facing common enemies in the Middle East. (New York Times)

Egypt summons Iran's charge d'affaires over recent statements criticizing Egyptian policies. (Xinhua)

Saudi Arabia's military aid package to Lebanon is seen by some as a message to the US. (New York Times)

Syrian extremists are accused of mass executions of rival rebels. (Los Angeles Times)

A Sunni revolt in Iraq could spiral into a new war in the country. (Washington Post)

Kuwait swears in a new cabinet with seven new members. (AP/Asharq Al-Awsat)

The Turkish government fires 350 police officers. (AP)

Commentary:

The LA Times says Kerry's framework agreement provides a glimmer of hope for Middle East peace. (Los Angeles Times)

The CSM says Kerry and Pope Francis make a formidable peace team. (Christian Science Monitor)

The Washington Post says Israelis and Palestinians have to prove themselves willing to engage Kerry's peace efforts. (Washington Post)

Asharq Al-Awsat interviews chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Munib al Masri says all Palestinians want is their freedom. (Ha'aretz)

Vincent Fean says the Palestinian leadership is right to engage in peace talks with Israel. (Ma'an)

Nahum Barnea says, instead of whining about Palestinian incitement, Israeli leaders should do something about Israeli incitement. (YNet)

Jonathan Cook says Israel's educational system is filled with incitement of its own. (The National)

Moshe Arens strongly disapproves of his interpretation of Kerry's proposals. (Ha'aretz)

David Newman says the Jordan Valley has lost most of its strategic significance for Israel. (Jerusalem Post)

Akiva Eldar says Israel's relationship with Jordan is much more important to it than the Jordan Valley. (Al Monitor)

Hazem Balousha says what Palestinians in Gaza want most in 2014 is electricity. (Al Monitor)

Neri Zilber looks at the problems facing a Jordanian Muslim named Yitzhak Rabin. (The Atlantic)

The LA Times says the Obama administration should "stop coddling" the Egyptian government. (Los Angeles Times)

Nervana Mahmoud says the Al-Noor party in Egypt should be carefully watched. (Al Monitor)

Hassan Hassan says PM Al-Maliki's war against Al Qaeda is tainted by sectarian politics. (The National)

Huda Al-Saleh looks at women members of Al Qaeda. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Abdul Rahman Al-Rashid says he thinks Iran is secretly running Al Qaeda. (Arab News)

Sobhi Ghandour stresses the importance of Arab Christian communities to the region. (Gulf News)

Peter Beinart says there is a "moral case" for ending the US "cold war" with Iran. (Ha'aretz)

Hussein Ibish says the emerging Tunisian Constitution is extremely promising. (NOW)