NEWS:

Palestinian-American NFL player Oday Aboushi of the New York Jets is subjected to bigoted attacks based on his Palestinian heritage. (The Nation)

Sec. Kerry is due to make his next visit to the region for more peace efforts next week, depending on his wife's health condition. (Jerusalem Post)

Egyptian prosecutors plan to investigate whether Hamas was involved in a 2011 prison break that freed former Pres. Morsi, among others. (AP)

Egypt closes the border crossing with Gaza for Friday, but says it will reopen it on Saturday. (Ma'an)

Egyptian officials reportedly feel the security situation in the Sinai Peninsula is spiraling out of control. (Asharq Al-Awsat) 

Hamas denies 32 of its operatives were killed in a recent Egyptian offensive in Sinai. (Jerusalem Post)

Fatah officials urge Hamas to abandon the regional Muslim Brotherhood and focus on Palestinian national unity instead. (Al Monitor)

Israeli soldiers who arrested a five-year-old Palestinian child for throwing stones in the occupied West Bank are cleared of wrongdoing by their superiors. (New York Times)

The arrest of the young Palestinian child is heavily criticized by Israeli human rights groups. (AP)

PA officials warn that Israeli policies are undermining the raison d'être of the Authority and weakening moderates. (Jerusalem Post)

Pres. Abbas comes under unprecedented, scathing attack as a "tyrant" in an article by Sufian Abu Zaida, a member of the Fatah Revolutionary Council. (Ha'aretz)

Israeli officials reportedly believe the threat of widespread European boycotts against Israel is real. (Ha'aretz)

A computer model finds a two-state solution is the best prospect for peaceful coexistence between Israelis and Palestinians. (Ha'aretz)

Israel's military is beefing up its presence on its northern border. (AP)

Israel is planning a Red Sea marine barrier along the coast with Egypt and the Sinai Peninsula. (YNet)

Israel's military is cutting its size, but not its capabilities. (Xinhua)

Around 75,000 worshipers pray at the Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem for the first Friday of the holy month of Ramadan. (Ma'an)

The Jewish Council for Public Affairs and ATFP hold joint meetings with officials in Washington urging support for a two-state solution. (JTA)

Israeli Housing Minister Uri Ariel says Israel is ready to, and should, build 10,000 new settler housing units in and around occupied East Jerusalem. (AFP)

Israel's High Court delays the evacuation of an "unauthorized" settlement outpost. (Jerusalem Post)

A new poll suggests one third of Jewish Israelis support the building of a "Third Temple." (Ha'aretz)

The Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics says the Palestinian population in the occupied territories has reached 4.4 2 million. (PNN)

The Red Crescent Society of the United Arab Emirates is donating $2.1 Million to UNRWA for an East Jerusalem Health Centre. (PNN)

COMMENTARY:

Avraham Burg says the changing strategic landscape in the Middle East opens many possibilities for Israel on peace. (Ha'aretz)

Yoel Marcus says Israel's refusal to change its policies in a rapidly transforming regional environment is extremely dangerous. (Ha'aretz)

Michael Gerson says a two-state solution is in everyone's interest, but Kerry has an uphill task in trying to make progress towards one. (Washington Post)

Ehud Yaari looks at the security crisis in Sinai. (WINEP)

Alan Elsner says Israeli ambassador-designate Dermer will have to overcome his reputation as a "conservative ideologue." (Ha'aretz)

Avi Issacharoff looks at the possibility of a flareup in Gaza following the ouster of Morsi. (Times of Israel)

Ari Remez says it's appropriate for Israelis to host and attend a play about Rachel Corrie. (Jerusalem Post)

Asmaa al-Ghoul says while Hamas and Fatah bicker, a Tamarod social media movement is gathering steam in Palestine. (Al Monitor)

NEWS:

Reports suggest scores of people, including many Hamas members, were killed by Egyptian security forces in Sinai recently. (YNet)

Egypt's Sinai offensive may have been launched in consultation with Israel. (Jerusalem Post/Times of Israel)

Hundreds of Palestinians have been arrested in the West Bank by Israeli occupation forces in the past two weeks. (Times of Israel)

Israeli Cabinet ministers call for increased settlement construction to offset the prospects of Palestinian independence. (Jerusalem Post)

International experts are said to be making significant progress on a plan for Palestinian economic revival. (AFP)

The ouster of former Pres. Morsi has created an unprecedented crisis for Hamas. (Jerusalem Post/Al Jazeera)

Smuggling into Gaza is reported to have ground to a virtual standstill. (Times of Israel)

Palestinians in Gaza say they feel "held hostage" to upheavals in Egypt. (The National)

Some Fatah officials suggest Palestinians in Gaza overthrow Hamas as Egyptians ousted Morsi. (Jerusalem Post)

Israeli military officials report a steep decline in anti-Israeli attacks in the occupied West Bank. (Times of Israel)

Confrontations erupt between Israeli occupation forces and Palestinians at a refugee camp south of Hebron. (PNN)

Israel is expecting an influx of Palestinians from the West Bank in the occupied East Jerusalem during the holy month of Ramadan, but many are frustrated due to various restrictions. (Xinhua/Jerusalem Post)

Israel confirms it is holding a Palestinian man who disappeared in Egypt. (Los Angeles Times)

Israel is deploying a new army unit along the frontier with Syria. (Xinhua)

Smugglers shoot and kill an Egyptian security officer near the Sinai border with Israel. (Ma'an)

Israel is streamlining its military due to budget cuts. (Ha'aretz)

Ilan Halevi, a Jewish member of the Palestine Liberation Organization, dies in Paris. (Ha'aretz)

Outgoing Israeli Amb. Oren praises Pres. Obama as "a true friend of Israel." (Ha'aretz)

COMMENTARY:

Mohammed Suliman says Hamas is pretending to be optimistic in spite of the upheaval in Egypt, but it sees the disaster coming. (Al Monitor)

Abeer Ayyoub says Hamas may be in crisis over Morsi's ouster, but Islamic Jihad is unfazed. (Al Monitor)

Avirama Golan says a Jewish extremism in Israel comparable to Islamism in the Arab world is running wild. (Ha'aretz)

Eldad Beck says Israelis should welcome the dramatic changes in Egypt. (YNet)

Ha'aretz says the Israeli extreme right is again attacking legitimate NGOs they don't like. (Ha'aretz)

Ilan Baruch says PM Netanyahu can learn from the fall of apartheid in South Africa, but only once he accepts occupation is unsustainable. (Ha'aretz)

Douglas Bloomfield says Israel's diplomacy is dysfunctional and its foreign service demoralized. (Jerusalem Post)

Paul Scham says former Pres. Morsi's ouster could have a big impact on internal Palestinian politics. (Middle East Institute)

Gideon Levy says the IDF is wrong to encourage young people to join the military in order to become snipers and assassins. (Ha'aretz)

Alex Fishman says Israel's military is restructuring itself in preparation for future wars. (YNet)

Gershon Baskin says Ramadan is a good time for Israelis and Palestinians to seek understanding and reconciliation. (Jerusalem Post)

J.J. Goldberg says there is growing resistance to the candidacy of a noted anti-Arab racist for Sephardic Chief Rabbi of Israel. (The Forward)

Zack Parker asks why the Israeli government has reinstated funding for an extremist settlement yeshiva. (Daily Beast/Open Zion)

Shlomi Eldar interviews Egyptian activist Hiba Hamdi Abu Sayyaf, who specializes in dialogue with Israelis. (Al Monitor)

NEWS:

Sec. Kerry's planned Middle East trip is in doubt because of his wife's illness. (AFP)

An Israeli court orders a new investigation into the wounding of an American by Israeli occupation forces during a 2009 West Bank protest. (Ha'aretz)

The trial of two Palestinian nonviolent women protesters is considered politically charged on all sides. (Jerusalem Post)

Egypt opens the Gaza border allowing stranded Palestinians to cross at last, for at least two days. (Reuters/Xinhua/Ma'an)

Unrest in Egypt is causing significant hardships in Gaza. (The Media Line)

Hamas calls PLO accusations it interferes with Egyptian domestic affairs "incitement." (Ma'an)

Mossad agents reportedly detain a Palestinian man in Sinai. (Ma'an)

Israel confirms it is holding a Palestinian man who disappeared in Egypt for “security crimes.” (AP)

Israel denies any involvement in a deadly explosion in Beirut yesterday. (Xinhua)

PM Netanyahu appoints Ron Dermer Ambassador-designate to the United States. (New York Times/JTA)

Netanyahu also appoints a new set of senior aides. (Times of Israel)

Israeli doctors give American officials tips on force-feeding hunger striking prisoners. (Ha'aretz)

Protesting Palestinian youths smash holes in Israel's West Bank separation barrier. (Ma'an)

Tourism has surged in Israel following the rapprochement with Turkey. (Xinhua)

Israel is offering military aid and other inducements to African states to accept returning migrants. (Xinhua)

Israeli extremists enter the sensitive Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied East Jerusalem. (Ma'an)

A leading candidate for new Sephardic Chief Rabbi of Israel has a history of supporting "Temple Mount" activism. (Al Monitor)

Another Palestinian is killed in fighting in a refugee camp in Syria. (Ma'an)

Israel is reportedly considering a deal that would allow Russian troops to join UN peacekeepers in the Golan Heights. (Jerusalem Post)

Up to 1 million Palestinians are expected to visit occupied East Jerusalem during the holy month of Ramadan. (YNet)

FIFA says Mohamed Assaf could sing together with Shakira in the opening ceremony of the World Cup in Brazil next year. ( Al Arabiya)

COMMENTARY:

Udo Kock and Christoph Duenwald say saving the Palestinian economy must be a priority for everyone. (Ha'aretz)

David Pollock says Ramallah has emerged the winner over Gaza from the changes in Egypt. (WINEP)

Ben Caspit says Israel is concerned by American "hesitancy" over Egypt. (Al Monitor)

Ha'aretz says the new government's obsession with legally defining Israel as a "Jewish state" is a sign of deep insecurity. (Ha'aretz)

Alan Baker says the parties need a "code of conduct" to create conditions conducive to resume negotiations and peace. (Jerusalem Post)

Daniel Tauber says Netanyahu has actually put forward a very coherent vision of peace. (Jerusalem Post)

Ben Sales profiles Jewish Israeli extremists planning to rebuild a "Third Temple." (JTA)

Jonathan Cook says Israel's treatment of Palestinians, including its own citizens, deserves to be named "apartheid." (The National)

Kadri Gursel says efforts by Turkish officials to blame unrest on "the Jewish Diaspora" are undermining rapprochement with Israel. (Al Monitor)

Gershom Gorenberg says Israeli annexationists keep trying to distort Jewish and Arab demographics, but to no avail. (Daily Beast/Open Zion)

Elisheva Goldberg adds Israeli annexationists are attached to implausible ideas of mass Jewish immigration to Israel. (Daily Beast/Open Zion)

NEWS:

Three Palestinians and a Syrian are killed in clashes at the Yarmouk refugee camp in Syria. (Ma'an)

Some American officials are reportedly urging Sec. Kerry to craft a set of "American principles" for resumed Israeli-Palestinian negotiations. (Jerusalem Post)

Palestinian officials say they have held direct talks with PM Netanyahu about resuming negotiations, but Netanyahu denies this. (Xinhua/Times of Israel/Ma'an)

Israeli political figures meet with Palestinian officials in Ramallah. (YNet)

An Israeli court ruling will allow settlers to access the Palestinian Land Registry for ownership details for the first time since the occupation began. (PNN)

The PA says it's going to overhaul many of its policies regarding children's rights. (Ma'an)

Israeli officials urge Pres. Obama not to repeat his "naïve" approach to Egypt. (Jerusalem Post/Reuters)

Hamas condemns the deadly government crackdown on Muslim Brotherhood protesters and rioters in Egypt. (AP/Xinhua)

Gaza's fuel crisis is intensified after the border closure by Egypt. (Al Monitor)

Israeli officials say they fear Arab citizens of Israel may be targeted by extremists in Sinai. (YNet)

Masked demonstrators in Ramallah calling themselves "Tamarod" demand a third intifada against Israeli occupation. (Ma'an)

A Palestinian citizen of Israel is sentenced to 30 months in prison for joining rebels in Syria. (AP)

A play about Rachel Corrie is being performed in Israel and in Hebrew. (AP)

Israeli officials say they're going to have a secret meeting about a secret prisoner. (AP/Xinhua)

The ICC is considering launching an investigation into the deadly 2010 Gaza flotilla incident. (Ha'aretz)

Israel launches a new "cyber war room." (Xinhua)

Israel is going to launch a controversial ID program featuring biometric data. (Los Angeles Times)

Israeli officials say they're going to ease travel restrictions on Palestinians in the occupied West Bank during Ramadan. (PNN)

The World Bank says Kuwait is donating $50 million for Palestinian development. (PNN)

Israelis carve a giant peace sign in the occupied Golan Heights near the frontier with war-torn Syria. (Christian Science Monitor)

Israeli journalism students are studying the occupied West Bank. (The Media Line)

COMMENTARY:

J.J. Goldberg says if Netanyahu could make up his mind about peace, Kerry might stand a chance of success. (The Forward)

Ben Birnbaum says Netanyahu's political future may depend on acting to save the two-state solution. (The New Republic)

David Rubin says Israel should annex the West Bank and offer citizenship to its Palestinian residents. (Jerusalem Post)

Moshe Arens says a two-state solution is not a win-win scenario, but a net loss for Israel. (Ha'aretz)

Mira Sucharov says there are some key questions Salon didn't ask Israeli annexationist leader Dayan. (Daily Beast/Open Zion)

The BBC looks at the impact of the upheaval in Egypt on Israel and Hamas. (BBC)

Akiva Eldar says the upheaval in Egypt gives Israel a chance to make peace with the Egyptian people. (Al Monitor)

Bradley Burston continues to explore why it can be difficult to tell the difference between Likud and Hamas. (Ha'aretz)

Mazal Mualem interviews MK Calderon, who says the biggest threat in Israel now is the "messianic-temple movement." (Al Monitor)

Yaron London says there's no major difference between Israel's ultra-Orthodox parties and the Muslim Brotherhood. (YNet)

Heribert Adam says Israeli and Palestinian leaders should emulate Nelson Mandela. (Ha'aretz)

Dana Evan Kaplan says Mandela often made Jewish South Africans quite uncomfortable. (The Forward)

Tania Hary looks at the challenges facing Palestinian musicians, especially in Gaza. (Ha'aretz)

NEWS:

Palestinian officials think Sec. Kerry is close to finding a way to revive negotiations with Israel, but that US mediation alone won't be sufficient to bring peace. (AP/Jerusalem Post)

Kerry will reportedly return to the region this week for more talks. (AFP)

Pres. Abbas says Jews around the world should "hear the Arab point of view." (AP)

A fifth of a new park in southern Jerusalem is scheduled to be built on Palestinian land. (Ha'aretz)

Israeli officials say they want to maintain good relations with the new Egyptian authorities. (Xinhua)

Hamas insists it is "unafraid" of the upheaval in Egypt. (Ma'an)

Hamas asks Egypt to reopen Gaza border crossings. (Jerusalem Post)

Gaza residents suffer as Egypt closes smuggling tunnels. (Xinhua)

Smugglers reportedly resume bringing fuel into Gaza. (Ma'an)

Hamas says it has broken up a counterfeiting ring in Gaza. (AP)

Journalists are outraged as an Arab cameramen is strip-searched by Israeli forces at an American embassy function. (AP)

The Israeli military issues guidelines to its troops on conduct during Ramadan. (Xinhua)

Amnesty International calls on Israel to stop "bullying" Palestinian activists. (PNN)

FIFA says Israel must ease restrictions on movement for Palestinian soccer players. (PNN)

An Israeli soccer fan remains in detention on charges of assaulting a Palestinian with a group of other hooligans. (Xinhua)

A women's co-op is working to revive Hebron's old city. (Ma'an)

Israeli settlers, especially in Hebron, find themselves at odds over issues such as rent. (Ha'aretz)

Israeli doctors continue to treat injured Syrians. (Christian Science Monitor)

The Israeli military sees a new threat from Syria: terrorist attacks along the frontiers. (Ha'aretz)

Pro-Israel activists in the United States are trying to build networks to counter BDS. (Times of Israel)

Palestinians find PA "passports" don't help much in international travel. (The Media Line)

COMMENTARY:

ATFP intern Natan Odenheimer says, if he stands for peace, Arab Idol winner Mohammad Assaf can be a hero to Israelis too. (Common Ground News)

The PLO issues a new report on ongoing Israeli settlement activity in the occupied Palestinian territories. (PLO)

Oudeh Basharat says PM Netanyahu's demand Palestinians recognize Israel as a "Jewish state" is unprecedented and absurd. (Ha'aretz)

The Washington Post says Kerry should realize a final status agreement between Israel and the Palestinians is not possible and focus on interim measures instead. (Washington Post)

Alon Pinkas says Israel needs to act quickly in dealing with the new Egyptian government, not be ambivalent or idle. (YNet)

Yaakov Lappin says Israel and Egypt must cooperate on suppressing terrorism in Sinai. (Jerusalem Post)

Vita Bekker says most Israelis will probably be glad to see the ouster of former Pres. Morsi. (The National)

Oren Kessler says Israel is quietly optimistic about changes in Egypt. (Foreign Policy)

Shlomi Eldar says Hamas finds itself isolated after Morsi's ouster, and Hazem Balousha says it's trying to keep a low profile on the issue. (Al Monitor)

Gideon Levy says racism in Israeli soccer is out of control. (Ha'aretz)

Dalia Hatuqa says Palestinian children working in Israeli settlements are exploited. (Al Jazeera)

Jay Ruderman and Gur Alroey say Israel is taking Jewish Americans for granted. (Ha'aretz)

Yishai Fleisher says an increasing number of Jewish Americans are alienated from Israel. (YNet)

Ron Kampeas notes mainstream Jewish American organizations criticized Israeli economic minister Bennett's rejection of a two-state solution. (JTA)

Jessica Purkiss looks at the ordeal of a Palestinian journalist facing trial by Israel. (Al Jazeera)

Mazal Mualem interviews extremist Israeli MK Kalfa, who vows to do everything possible to undermine peace. (Al Monitor)

Salon interviews extremist Israeli leader Dani Dayan, who declares there will "never be a Palestinian state." (Salon)

NEWS:

A new poll shows 62% of Israelis and 53% of Palestinians support a two-state solution. (PNN/Times of Israel)

Sec. Kerry is reportedly eager to return to the region to resume Israeli-Palestinian peace efforts. (AP)

A Hamas committee acquits one of its members in the death of an Islamic Jihad cadre. (Ma'an)

Pres. Abbas is visiting Lebanon for three days to discuss Palestinian refugees and other matters. (Ma'an)

Al-Quds University signs an agreement with the EU and UNDP to preserve Palestinian cultural heritage in Jerusalem's Old City. (Ma'an/PNN)

Exuberant fans greet Arab Idol winner Mohammed Assaf at a free concert in Ramallah. (Christian Science Monitor)

Gaza residents face growing crime, drug addiction and other social ills. (Xinhua)

A right-wing Israeli MK vows that one day he will return to his former home in an evacuated Gaza settlement. (Jerusalem Post)

The Palestine Monetary Authority issues disappointing overall economic performance results for June, particularly in Gaza. (PNN)

90% of Palestinian sewerage in the occupied West Bank is flowing into the ground untreated, in part because of the lack of cooperation between the parties. (Ha'aretz)

Gaza's polluted beaches provide a respite from summer heat, but also an indicator of broader problems. (Al Monitor)

Racism remains a huge problem in Israeli soccer. (Ha'aretz)

A candidate for Israel's new Sephardi Chief Rabbi will be questioned about alleged anti-Arab racist comments. (Times of Israel)

Israel arrests three Palestinians accused of involvement in a drive-by shooting. (Jerusalem Post)

Israelis and Palestinians express nervousness about unrest in Egypt. (Times of Israel/The Media Line)

Israel is witnessing a sharp decline in migrants from Africa. (Xinhua)

COMMENTARY:

ATFP intern Miriam Awadallah says Kanye West will have to step aside, Assaf is now her new idol. (Sharnoff’s Global Views)

Shaul Arieli says Israel cannot live by the sword alone and must recognize the Palestinian right to statehood. (Ha'aretz)

Ari Harrow makes a right-wing Israeli case against peace with the Palestinians, calling it "realism." (Jerusalem Post)

Shlomi Eldar says Kerry's efforts are probably in vain. (Al Monitor)

Oren Kessler agrees Kerry is trying to kickstart a peace process nobody wants. (Foreign Policy)

Alan Elsner says cautious optimism is the only reasonable response to Kerry's initiatives. (Daily Beast/Open Zion)

Paul Pillar also says Kerry deserves applause but judgment on the outcome should be withheld. (The National Interest)

Elliott Abrams questions what can be accomplished if Israeli-Palestinian negotiations actually resume. (CFR)

Musa Keilani says everyone wants a two-state solution but Israel's policies must change for that to be accomplished. (Gulf Today)

Matthew Duss says a two-state solution is still essential to the American national interest. (Center for American Progress)

Ido Kenan says a wide range of Israelis are protesting a government decision to shut down a Palestinian children's festival in occupied East Jerusalem. (Ha'aretz)

Yossi Verter says PM Netanyahu has completely lost control of his own Likud party. (Ha'aretz)

Mazal Mualem interviews MK Zandberg, who endorses a boycott of settlement goods. (Al Monitor)

Stewart Ain interviews MK Koll, who says there is no alternative to a two-state solution. (Jewish Week)

Ben Caspit says Israel is cautiously optimistic that the difficulties facing the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt will also damage Hamas. (Al Monitor)

The Israeli human rights group B'Tselem describes the ordeal Palestinian workers face going to their jobs in Israel. (B'Tselem)

NEWS:

Sec. Kerry's efforts to forge new Israeli-Palestinian negotiations are complicated by unrest throughout the Middle East. (New York Times)

Kerry's top aides are continuing efforts following his recent trip to the region. (Jerusalem Post)

Kerry says new peace talks are unlikely until September. (Washington Post)

Pres. Abbas says he is optimistic about Kerry's efforts and the prospects of new talks with Israel. (AP)

Israeli officials say negotiations won't proceed unless Abbas wants them to. (PNN)

Caretaker PM Hamdallah calls on the US to stop "Israeli violations" that hinder peace. (Xinhua)

A Palestinian official says he's still concerned about American "bias" towards Israel. (Times of Israel)

Israeli DM Ya'alon classifies "price tag" violence as "illegal organizing," which subjects it to penalties heretofore reserved for Palestinian groups. (YNet/Times of Israel)

A 19-year-old Palestinian man is killed by Israeli forces in the occupied West Bank. (New York Times/Reuters/Xinhua)

The killing leads to further clashes between Palestinians and Israeli troops in the occupied West Bank. (Ma'an)

Israeli actors protest the government's closing of a Palestinian children's theater in occupied East Jerusalem. (AP/LA Times)

Jordan protests proposed Israeli plans to forcibly relocate 40,000 Bedouins. (Xinhua)

Israel is preparing to dismantle an "unauthorized" wildcat settlement outpost by mid-July. (Ha'aretz)

The PA religious affairs minister asks Arab Idol winner Assaf to postpone free West Bank concerts in solidarity with the Egyptian people. (Ma'an)

Assaf goes ahead with a wildly popular but brief free concert in Ramallah. (Ha'aretz)

Assaf's success continues to polarize Hamas. (Al Monitor)

Turkey's deputy PM claims the "Jewish Diaspora" is behind unrest against PM Erdogan's regime. (Ha'aretz)

Israel complains to the Netherlands about a report on the Israeli-Palestinian situation critical of its policies. (Times of Israel)

A Kuwaiti MP expresses an unusual degree of public support for Israel on television. (Times of Israel)

Australia’s new deputy PM is a founding member of the Parliamentary Friends of Palestine group. (JTA)

Egypt reportedly deploys 30 tanks to secure the border area with Gaza. (Jerusalem Post)

Hundreds of Palestinian fishermen protest Israel's Gaza blockade and limited fishing zones. (UPI)

COMMENTARY:

Shlomo Ben Ami says peace with the Palestinians would bring huge dividends for Israel. (Project Syndicate)

Nahum Barnea says Kerry deserves credit for his efforts, but he can't succeed without Pres. Obama's direct help. (YNet)

Matthew Kalman says he's having a hard time understanding Kerry's optimism. (Daily Beast/Open Zion)

David Landau says PM Netanyahu's right to be concerned about Israeli public's support for a peace agreement, but the Palestinian public is equally important. (Ha'aretz)

David Horovitz says Kerry's real challenge is changing the attitudes on both sides, especially among Palestinians. (Times of Israel)

Akiva Eldar says Israelis are trapped in a condition of apathy about peace and occupation. (Al Monitor)

Brian Freedman says peace activists and political leaders need to get together before progress can be made. (Jerusalem Post)

Ariela Ringel-Hoffman says Israel should release Palestinian prisoners as a "goodwill gesture" for peace. (YNet)

Brent Sasley says he doubts Netanyahu either wants or will try to leave the Likud party. (Daily Beast/Open Zion)

Don Futterman says Israel's law enforcement efforts against "price tag" vigilantes has been apathetic. (Ha'aretz)

Simone Zimmerman says blind support for Israel's occupation policies can't be an effective counter to BDS. (Ha'aretz)

Hazem Balousha says Hamas is wary and concerned about the transfer of power in Qatar. (Al Monitor)

Mazal Mualem says Israel's leadership needs to realize that the anti-Morsi protests are a sign of real hope. (Al Monitor)

William Burr and Avner Cohen describe how Israel's early nuclear weapons project was fueled by uranium from Argentina. (Foreign Policy)

NEWS:

Sec. Kerry concludes his latest trip to the region, saying he had "very positive discussions," and remaining upbeat about new negotiations. (New York Times/LA Times/AP)

Kerry's trip had been extended longer than initially planned, but still yielded no breakthrough. (New York Times/Reuters)

The election of extremist Likud leader Danon as party Chair raises further doubts about Israel's commitment to a two-state solution. (AP)

PM Netanyahu vows that any peace agreement must be put to a referendum.(Xinhua)

Analysts speculate Kerry may have succeeded in laying the groundwork for future progress, as acknowledged by Palestinian officials. (Xinhua)

Pres. Abbas reportedly tells Kerry Israel's "goodwill gestures" thus far are insufficient, but that Americans seem to understand the Palestinian position. (Xinhua/Ha'aretz)

Palestinian officials blame Israel for the lack of resolution on new talks. (UPI)

An Israeli cabinet minister says the timing of prisoner release is one of the remaining sticking points between the parties. (Times of Israel)

Hamas warns against "futile" negotiations with Israel. (Ma'an)

Israel's chief negotiator Livni says European boycotts of settlement products could extend to all Israeli goods. (Jerusalem Post)

Israel is adding additional incentives for prospective tenants of almost 1000 new settler housing units in occupied East Jerusalem. ( AFP)

A Jewish extremist is arrested by Israeli police for desecrating a monastery in the occupied West Bank. (Reuters)

Hamas deploys more forces around the Egyptian border. (Xinhua)

Arab Idol winner Mohammad Assaf will hold three free concerts across the West Bank in July. (Ma'an)

Assaf's success continues to put Hamas in an extremely difficult position. (Al Arabiya)

A new study suggests Israel collects $11 million a year from Palestinians in identity card fees. (PNN)

Prof. Meron Medzini leads historical tours around Israel and the occupied territories. (Christian Science Monitor)

Hussein al-Deik wins the Palestinian "The President" reality TV show. (NPR)

COMMENTARY:

Leonard Fein calls extremist leaders like Danon "Israel's most dangerous enemies." (The Forward)

Ha'aretz calls Israel's settlement and occupation activity in the South Hebron Hills "annexation in disguise." (Ha'aretz)

Yitzhak Laor asks if Israel would have freed Nelson Mandela if he had been a Palestinian. (Ha'aretz)

Sharif Nashashibi says the political vacuum in Ramallah might help focus the attention of the Palestinian people on the need for change. (Al Arabiya)

Ahmed Aldabba explains why he prefers to live in Gaza than in Egypt. (Christian Science Monitor)

The National says Kerry's latest efforts leave little grounds for optimism. (The National)

Barak Ravid says, even if Kerry doesn't succeed in restarting negotiations, he's trying harder than anyone else. (Ha'aretz)

Raphael Ahren says, given Kerry's confidence, either he's afraid of "humiliating failures" or he knows something the rest of us know. (Times of Israel)

The Daily Star accuses Israel of "sabotaging peace." (The Daily Star)

Shlomi Eldar says the Palestinian Interaction Committee was another excellent initiative that failed from the outset. (Al Monitor)

Haviv Rettig Gur says, by placing himself above party politics, PM Netanyahu may have squandered control of the Likud. (Times of Israel)

Amos Harel says the turmoil in the Middle East has reduced the threats Israel, at least for now. (Ha'aretz)

Merav Betito says there's a double standard in Israel for Jewish and Arab convicted felons. (YNet)

Rebecca Rachmany says Israel is, indeed, an apartheid state, and she thinks that's a good thing and that Israelis believe in equality anyway. (Times of Israel)

Bakr Oweida says the success of Mohammed Assaf shows the limitations of Hamas' rule in Gaza. (Asharq Al Awsat)

Amira Hass says Palestinian creativity is flourishing all over, not just through Assaf. (Ha'aretz)

Emily Hauser asks why, since McDonald's settlement boycott is 20 years old, settlers are so upset now. (Daily Beast/Open Zion)

Yossi Mekelberg says, given a continued deadlock, a third intifada is a real possibility, but would be very dangerous for Palestinians. (Al Arabiya)

NEWS:

Sec. Kerry is back in Israel for more talks with PM Netanyahu at the beginning of another round of peace efforts. (AP/AFP)

Rumors persist that Kerry would like to broker a meeting between Netanyahu and Pres. Abbas. (Washington Post)

Netanyahu may be sending signals that he is ready for compromises. (AP/Ha'aretz)

Secret Israeli-Palestinian talks about the release of pre-Oslo prisoners may have been ongoing. (Ma'an)

Likud ministers say they're concerned that peace moves may split their party. (Jerusalem Post)

The BBC looks at a proposed massive investment project in the Palestinian economy. (BBC)

King Abdullah II of Jordan says Israel's unilateral measures and "repeated violations" against holy sites in Jerusalem undermine peace opportunities. (Xinhua)

The Israeli government is considering recognizing 40 more "unauthorized" settlement housing units, against opposition from Israel's Supreme Court. (Jerusalem Post)

Israel is considering demolishing an EU-funded humanitarian project for Palestinians in the occupied West Bank. (Xinhua/Ha'aretz)

OHCHR warns of the possibility that Palestinian anger could lead to another round of violence in the occupied territories. (PNN)

Islamic Jihad reportedly ends its three-day schism with Hamas. (Times of Israel)

The EU is making another €10 million contribution to help fund PA services to address extreme poverty in the occupied Palestinian territories. (PNN)

Palestinians say Israeli soldiers shot and wounded a Palestinian man during clashes in Qalandiya refugee camp in the occupied West Bank. (Ma'an)

DM Ya'alon advises newly graduated Israel Air Force pilots to be ready for action at any moment. (Xinhua)

Israel says it has arrested a five-man PFLP cell in the occupied West Bank. (Xinhua)

Hamas says PM Erdogan is to visit Gaza next week. (Xinhua)

Egyptian security forces say they don't plan to close Gaza border crossings during the planned June 30 protests against Pres. Morsi. (Ma'an)

Egypt continues to crack down on smuggling across the Gaza border. (AP/Times of Israel)

Palestinians await the final episode of the "reality TV" contest "The President." (Ma'an)

OCHA is expanding its relief program for Palestinian refugees in Lebanon. (PNN)

The UN renews its peacekeeping mission in the Golan Heights for another six months. (Reuters)

COMMENTARY:

Hisham Melhem says a sectarian cancer is consuming the Arab world. (An-Nahar, translated by ATFP)

The Forward says Kerry's efforts are more important to Israelis and Palestinians, even if they don't realize it, than they are to Americans. (The Forward)

Abraham Cooper and Harold Brackman say Kerry's challenge is to empower "the right Palestinians." (New York Daily News)

Yoel Marcus says Netanyahu is slowly going through the same process former PM Sharon did in understanding the dangers of occupation for Israel. (Ha'aretz)

Rami Livni also thinks Netanyahu is a late convert to the need for peace with the Palestinians. (Ha'aretz)

Akiva Eldar says Netanyahu faces a choice between moving forward on peace and splitting his own party. (Al Monitor)

J.J. Goldberg says we haven't yet seen real movement from Netanyahu, but the possibility of movement. (The Forward)

Chemi Shalev says outrage by settlers and their supporters that McDonald's won't open a branch in a settlement shows how far they've distanced themselves from reality. (Ha'aretz)

Nadine Epstein says moderate voices on both sides must be strengthened for Israeli-Palestinian peace to stand a chance. (Christian Science Monitor)

The Economist asks what's next for Palestinians after the resignation of PM Hamdallah. (The Economist)

Adnan Abu Amer interviews Hamas official Khalil al-Hayya about his organization's loss of support from Iran. (Al Monitor)

Mazal Mualem interviews Israeli Deputy Interior Minister Faina Kirshenbaum, who describes Abbas as "a political corpse." (Al Monitor)

Joyce Karam says Fadel Shaker and Mohammed Assaf represent two models of how to handle Arab pop stardom. (Al Arabiya)