News:

UN Envoy Serry urges the Security Council to revive talks between Israel and the Palestinians. (New York Times/AP/Jerusalem Post)

Hamas welcomes Egypt’s decision to drop the classification of the movement as a terrorist organization.  (Ma’an)

The EU will keep Hamas on its terrorism blacklist as it appeals a court ruling. (Times of Israel)

Hamas rejects a report by Amnesty International accusing the group of war crimes. (Ma’an)

The Chair of the Joint List Odeh begins a four-day walk to Jerusalem in support of the impoverished Bedouin community. (AFP)

A young Palestinian man dies a week after being shot during clashes with Israeli soldiers in the occupied West Bank. (JTA)

Israel applies its penal code across the occupied West Bank. (Ha’aretz)

A Jerusalem court says Palestinian fathers can be with their Israeli wives during childbirth. (Ha’aretz)

An Israeli court sentences an Islamist leader in Israel to 11 months in prison for incitement to violence and racism. (JTA)
http://www.jta.org/2015/03/27/news-opinion/israel-middle-east/israeli-islamist-gets-11-month-sentence-for-incitement

The Pentagon declassifies a 386-page report from 1987 that includes extensive details on Israel's nuclear program. (The Forward/Institute for Defense Analyses)

The Saudi led-campaign strikes Sanaa, as Morocco joins the alliance. (Reuters/AP/Al Arabiya)

Egypt and Saudi Arabia say they are ready to send ground forces to Yemen. (New York Times/Washington Post/The National)

The National look at why the US supports the Saudi-led intervention in Yemen. (The National)

Pres. Assad says he is open to a dialogue with the US, but that it must be "based on mutual respect." (AP/Reuters)

Turkey says the US-led campaign to train Syrian rebels has been delayed by Washington. (Reuters)

American airstrikes on ISIS in Tikrit prompt a boycott by Shiite fighters. (New York Times)

Ayatollah al-Sistani calls for unity after Shiite militias pull out of the offensive in Tikrit. (AP)

The P5+1 and Iran push for concessions ahead of a deadline for a preliminary nuclear deal. (Reuters)

FM Zarif says the focus at the nuclear talks remains reaching a deal, despite the Yemen crisis. (AP)

AP looks at the complex US-Iran relationship and how it is at the heart of a complicated Mideast policy. (AP)

Commentary:

Colum Lynch says France may lead the UN diplomatic drive for a concrete plan laying out terms for a negotiated peace between Israel and the Palestinians. (Foreign Policy)

Adnan Abu Amer says Hamas is seeking to expand its regional relations, especially with Egypt. (Al-Monitor)

Seraj Assi and Arnon Degani say the early Israeli establishment allowed Palestinian citizens to vote and Zionist parties even courted their support. (Ha’aretz)

Shlomi Eldar interviews MP Aida Touma-Sliman. (Al-Monitor)

Simon Henderson looks at Saudi Arabia’s “big gamble” in Yemen. (Foreign Policy)

Nawaf Obaid looks at the new generation of Saudi leaders and their new foreign policy. (Washington Post)

Salman Aldossary says Yemenis appear to care less about their own country than other countries do. (Asharq al-Awsat)

Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor defends “Operation Decisive Storm.” (Al Arabiya)

The Daily Star says Iran should stop seeking to widen its influence through arming nonstate actors. (Daily Star)

Zaid Belbagi says a full-time joint GCC force should be a priority. (Al Arabiya)

Mark Mazzetti and David Kirkpatrick say in becoming involved in a Saudi-led campaign to dislodge rebels in Yemen, the US has created more entanglement with its alliances. (New York Times)

Andrew Bowen says Pres. Obama should take robust action to support his allies in the Gulf in defending the sovereignty of Yemen and ensuring the security of the GCC.(Al Arabiya)

Fareed Zakaria says George W. Bush was right on Yemen. (Washington Post) 

The New York Times says Obama has failed to explain how the bombing of Tikrit advances American interests. (New York Times)

The Washington Post says the Middle East breakdown was a long time in the building. (Washington Post)

News:

Israel’s decision to withhold Palestinian tax revenues is strangling the economy and leaving the banking system dangerously exposed. (Reuters)

PM Hamdallah urges reconciliation in his second official visit to Gaza. (Ma’an)

Hamas and Hamdallah agree to form a committee to resolve Gaza issues. (Ma’an)

The UN says the Palestinian death toll in 2014 was the highest since 1967. (AFP)

A report by Amnesty International cites evidence of war crimes by Hamas during last summer’s Gaza conflict. (New York Times/JTA/Ha’aretz)

A French firm decides not to take part in a cable car project linking West Jerusalem to occupied East Jerusalem. (AFP/Ha’aretz)

Pres. Rivlin chides PM Netanyahu for his comments about Palestinian voters in Israel. (JTA)

An Israeli lawmaker calls on Netanyahu to fire Amb. Dermer. (JTA/Times of Israel)

Saudi Arabia leads airstrikes against Yemen’s Houthi rebels. (Reuters/AP/New York Times/Washington Post/Times of Israel/Foreign Policy/The National)

In a GCC statement Gulf countries say they responded to developments in Yemen. (The National)

Jordan confirms its participation in the Yemen airstrikes, which it calls “legitimate and necessary.” (AP/Jordan Times)

Egypt sends warships to secure the Gulf of Aden. (Ynet/Reuters)

FM Shoukri says Cairo is willing to send ground forces to Yemen if needed. (Al Arabiya)

Egypt and Kuwait say intervention in Yemen was necessary. (AFP)

Sec. Kerry commends the work of the coalition taking military action against the Houthis. (AFP)

The Arab League pledges full support for the Saudi-led campaign in Yemen. (Reuters)

Pres. Abbas says he supports the Saudi-led military invasion in Yemen. (Ma’an)

Iran condemns Saudi airstrikes in Yemen saying it was “a dangerous step.” (AFP/Al Arabiya)

Iraq’s FM al-Jaafari opposes the Saudi-led air strikes on Shiite rebels in Yemen. (AFP)

EU Foreign Policy Chief Mogherini says military action is not a solution to the crisis in Yemen. (Reuters)

Saudi Arabia also hit forces loyal to a key figure who many Yemenis believe has orchestrated the present crisis from the shadows: former Pres. Saleh. (Reuters)

Coalition and Iraqi warplanes target ISIS militants in the presidential compound in Tikrit.(Reuters/AP/New York Times/Washington Post)

Tunisia says the Bardo museum attack was launched by a cell of 23 militants, with overlapping allegiances to a number of hardline islamist groups. (Reuters)

The US and Iran resume talks on a preliminary nuclear deal as deadline nears. (Reuters/AP/Ha’aretz)

An American official says an Iranian nuclear deal may be completed next week. (New York Times)

Netanyahu has begun to signal that Israel could resign itself to an Iranian nuclear deal that would leave its enemy with some uranium enrichment capability. (Reuters)

Commentary:

Hussein Ibish says Netanyahu has called the American bluff on a two-state solution and the US faces a crucial decision. (NOW)

Aaron David Miller says when it comes to Palestinian statehood the US and Israel are just “playing games.” (Foreign Policy)

Akiva Eldar says Europeans are warning that Israel is deepening its control in occupied East Jerusalem. (Al-Monitor)

Shlomi Eldar says Palestinian citizens of Israel will look to Netanyahu’s actions, not his words. (Al-Monitor)

Nizar Farzakh congratulates Israel on its democracy and says now they should fight for their future (Ha’aretz)

Jonathan Capehart says Netanyahu is to blame for his “sour relationship” with Pres. Obama. (Washington Post)

Ha’aretz says Israel’s new Finance Minister Kahlon will face difficult challenges. (Ha’aretz)

Sara Elizabeth Williams says Iran is coming closer to the Israeli borders. (Foreign Policy)

Avi Issacharoff says Israel’s concerns regarding the Houthi takeover of Yemen are nothing compared to Arab countries. (Times of Israel)

Faisal Abbas explains why “Operation: Decisive Storm” was needed in Yemen. (Al Arabiya)

Joyce Karam says the Yemen intervention is a statement of a GCC more confident in its defenses and political vision. (Al Arabiya)

The National says Yemen airstrikes are an important first step. (The National)

H.A. Hellyer says an Arab army is an “improbable necessity.”

Michael Young says the growing rift between the US and France on the solution to the Syria crisis should end. (The National)

John Bolton says that because Iran can’t be trusted on a nuclear deal, force is the only option. (New York Times)

News:

Pres. Obama says PM Netanyahu's efforts to clarify pre-election statements are not advancing the prospects of a two-state solution. (AP/Washington Post/JTA/Ha’aretz/Times of Israel)

Netanyahu will be asked by Pres. Rivlin to to form a new coalition government. (Reuters)

Pres. Abbas meets with a delegation from the Joint List in Ramallah. (Ma’an/JTA/Jerusalem Post)

An Israeli pollster says Netanyahu’s “Arab droves” warning may have been decisive in his victory. (Times of Israel)

Algeria will contribute $52.8 million to the PA's March budget. (Ma’an)

Germany’s parliament is set to vote on recognizing Palestine. (Times of Israel)

PM Hamdallah arrives in Gaza. (PNN)

Israel is reportedly freezing the construction of 1,500 housing units in the occupied East Jerusalem neighborhood of Har Homa. (JTA/Times of Israel)

The EU condemns Israel's failure to meet its obligations to Palestinians in Area C. (Ma’an)

Israeli occupation forces detain six Palestinians across the West Bank. (Ma’an)

Jeb Bush says he disagrees with critical comments made by former Sec. Baker on Israel. (JTA)

Amb. Dermer is courting congressional Democrats after discord between the countries’ leaders, but is still working against a nuclear deal with Iran. (New York Times)

Moderate Syrian rebels seize the historic town of Busra Sham from government forces. (Reuters/AP)

Houthis seize a key Yemeni air base and appear poised to capture the southern port of Aden. (Reuters)

Yemen’s FM calls for Arab military intervention against advancing Shiite rebels. (AP)

American officials say Saudi Arabia is moving military equipment near its Yemen border. (The National)

The New York Times looks at the unfolding unrest in Yemen. (New York Times)

FM Zarif says Iran will insist that all sanctions against it are lifted as a condition for a nuclear deal. (Reuters)

In the P5+1 talks, Iran is reportedly seeking to avoid specifics. (New York Times)

Commentary:

Rami Khouri says the US must embrace the Arab Peace Initiative. (Daily Star)

Ghassan Khatib says Israel’s right-wing governments have created a status quo that is comfortable for Israel but brutal for the Palestinians. (Al Arabiya)

Osama Al Sharif says Netanyahu’s victory in the elections was probably a much-needed wake-up call for those who still believed in a two-state solution. (Jordan Times)

Avi Issacharoff says Qatar is trying to broker to a long-term ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. (Times of Israel)

Ha’aretz says Netanyahu’s apology to Palestinian citizens of Israel is not enough. (Ha’aretz)

Nahum Barnea says Netanyahu’s apology to Palestinian citizens of Israel was directed at the Obama administration, European governments and Jewish Americans. (Ynet)

Steven Klein explains why Israelis re-elected Netanyahu. (Ha’aretz)

Ben Caspit looks at Netanyahu’s post-election amends. (Al-Monitor)

Raphael Ahren says without US cover at the UN, Israel could face a “diplomatic avalanche.” (Times of Israel)

The Washington Post says the US is needed on Iraq’s front lines. (Washington Post)

Abdul Rahman Al Rashed profiles Iranian Gen. Soleimani. (Al Arabiya)

The National says the Gulf should keep all options open regarding Yemen. (The National)

Mshari al-Zaydi says Yemen’s crisis poses a problem for the whole world. (Asharq al-Awsat)

David Crist asks if Iran and the US can use the nuclear deal to mend ties and build a new order in the Middle East. ​(Foreign Policy)

News:

White House Chief of Staff McDonough says the US cannot ignore PM Netanyahu’s comments regarding the two-state solution. (AP/New York Times/JTA/Ha’aretz/Times of Israel/Ynet)

Netanyahu apologizes to Palestinian citizens of Israel for remarks he made during last week's election. (AP/AFP/The National)

Arab-Israeli political leaders reject Netanyahu’s apology. (AP/The National)

FM Lieberman calls for the boycott of the Joint List. (Jerusalem Post)

Palestinian Chief Negotiator Erekat says the PA turned to the UN because “Netanyahu is not a two-stater.” (Times of Israel)

Former Sec. Baker criticizes Netanyahu’s “diplomatic missteps.” (Ha’aretz)

An Israeli official says the White House was part of bid to oust Netanyahu. (Times of Israel)

A Palestinian scientist from occupied East Jerusalem has been named deputy chief scientist of Israel’s Ministry of Science. (JTA)

The Israeli military is preparing for a possible violent uprising in the occupied West Bank. (Ha’aretz/Times of Israel) 

Gazans protest power outages in front of the distribution company. (Ma’an)

Hamas launches a new website. (Ha’aretz)

Palestinian students are being forced to walk through sewage channels to reach a school near Ramallah. (Ma’an)

ISIS has recruited at least 400 children in Syria in the past three months. (Reuters)

A Western diplomat says Iraq's request to the US-led coalition for air strikes in the campaign to retake Tikrit from ISIS is "imminent." (Reuters)

Iraq’s military is opting for consolidation over advance in the battle against ISIS. (New York Times)

Canada will reportedly expand its mission against ISIS extremists by sending fighter bombers to attack targets in Syria. (Reuters)

The FMs of Syria and Iraq meet in Damascus to discuss ways to tackle militant groups and enhance cooperation. (Reuters)

Tunisia’s Bardo museum reopens after recent attacks. (Reuters)

Tunisia closes its airspace for flights from western Libya for security reasons. (Reuters)

Pres. Sisi issues a decree to modify laws governing the development of the Suez Canal. AP)

Israel reportedly spied on the P5+1 talks with Iran and shared information with American lawmakers. (Wall Street Journal/Washington Post/AFP/Ha’aretz/Times of Israel/Ynet)

Israeli officials deny the P5+1 spying report. (JTA/Ha’aretz/Times of Israel)

Iran’s hardliners are showing restraint regarding nuclear talks with the US. (New York Times)

Commentary:

The New York Times says the two-state solution remains the best alternative to violent confrontation. (New York Times)

Akiva Eldar looks at Netanyahu’s “reality has changed,” explanation for his zigzag on the issue of a Palestinian state. (Al-Monitor)

Shlomi Eldar says Netanyahu's electoral win gives Palestinians a chance at the UN. (Al-Monitor)

Hassan Barari says in the recent election Netanyahu’s “true colors were revealed.” (Jordan Times)

Dov Zakheim looks at Pres. Obama’s “misreading” of the Middle East. (Foreign Policy)

Adam Baron says the devastating bombings are just the latest sign that Yemen is coming apart at the seams. (Foreign Policy)

H.A. Hellyer says a stable Egypt requires holistic economic development and the protection of fundamental rights. (Al Arabiya)

News:

PM Netanyahu secures majority support in the new parliament and will form the next government. (AP/JTA/Times of Israel)

Pres. Rivlin calls for healing after a divisive election. (AP/JTA)

Leader of the Joint List Odeh vows to fight for Arabs rights. (Jerusalem Post)

A Republican pollster who worked with Netanyahu’s reelection campaign says the Likud’s internal polls knew it was ahead two days before the election. (Times of Israel)

Sen. McCain accuses Pres. Obama of throwing a "temper tantrum" over comments by Netanyahu. (Reuters/Ha’aretz/Times of Israel)

Netanyahu’s aides cite Iran as a source of US-Israel tension. (New York Times)

Former Amb. Oren says recent critical comments by Obama were “strategically damaging” to Israel’s standing in the world. (Times of Israel)

Amb. Dermer defends Netanyahu’s two-state remarks. (Times of Israel)

US Amb. to Israel Shapiro says the US has no choice but to reexamine its policy towards Israel after comments made by Netanyahu. (Ynet)

The US does not take the podium at the UN’s Human Rights Council, during a discussion of violations of human rights in the Palestinian territories. (Times of Israel)

Hamas leader Haniyeh says his movement will continue to seek national unity and political partnership. (Ma’an)

Israel issues five demolition orders in the East Jerusalem neighborhood of Silwan. (Ma’an)

Israeli forces shut down the road between Jaba and Nablus. (Ma’an) 

A bipartisan bill introduced in Congress would seed $50 million a year to promote civil society engagement between Israelis and Palestinians. (JTA)

A play by Raeda Taha focuses on the clash between Palestinians’ public struggle and private suffering. (New York Times)

The National profiles the new generation of Palestinian refugees who are being sent to the best schools in the world. (The National)

ISIS fighters attack a military airport in Syria's Homs province. (Reuters)

CIA Director Brennan says Iranian Gen. Soleimani is contributing to instability in Iraq. (AP)

Human Rights Watch says insurgent groups in Syria have carried out scores of indiscriminate attacks in violation of the laws of war. (Reuters)

Saudi Arabia invites PM al-Abadi to visit the kingdom. (Reuters)

Tunisian PM Essid fires six police commanders after the Bardo museum attack. (Reuters)

Houthis seize key parts of Yemen’s third-largest city, Taiz.(New York Times/The National)

Israel's Strategic Affairs Minister Steinitz says it is probable that the P5+1 would agree to a "bad deal" on Iran's nuclear program. (Reuters/Ha’aretz/Times of Israel) 

Commentary:

Ahmad Melhem looks at the “deepening rift” between Fatah and Hamas. (Al-Monitor)

Ahmad Tibi says Netanyahu must apologize for his anti-Arab comments. (Ynet)

Rami Khouri says the international community must “exploit” the new openings for establishing a Palestinian state. (Daily Star)

Ha’aretz says If Israel does not adopt a two-state solution, one will be forced on it. (Ha’aretz)

The Daily Star says Palestinians must develop a united voice, and one strategy to seek their legitimate rights and, ultimately, statehood.  (Daily Star)

Raghida Dergham says ISIS is now a priority that comes at the expense of the Palestinian cause. (Al Arabiya)

Gideon Levy says Netanyahu will be remembered for speaking Israel's truth. (Ha’aretz)

Nick Kochan says suffering from myriad business conflicts of interest, Tony Blair was never able to properly focus on his role as Middle East special envoy. (The National)

Yossi Verter says Obama could force Netanyahu to bring Herzog into his coalition. (Ha’aretz)

Dana Milbank asks if Israel will be able to remain a democracy. (Washington Post)

Ron Kampeas looks at the criticism Netanyahu is facing from Jewish liberals. (JTA)

Hussein Ibish says ISIS’ spread shows the power of its toxic brand. (The National)

Hisham Melhem says Obama will bequeath to his successor a shattered and infinitely more tormented Middle East than the one he had inherited. (Al Arabiya)

Faisal Al Yafai says European society is providing fertile soil for jihadi recruiters. (The National)

Eyad Abu Shakra says the Bardo attack reminds us that states like Tunisia are hostage to their geographic locations, cultural and social environments. (Asharq al-Awsat)

Michael Hayden, Olli Heinonen and Ray Takeyh say a year isn’t long enough to reverse Iranian nuclear violations. (Washington Post)

The Jordan Times hopes for a positive outcome in the P5+1 talks with Iran. (Jordan Times)

News:

PM Netanyahu reopens the door to a Palestinian state, but the White House is unimpressed. (New York Times/Washington Post/AFP/JTA/The National)

Pres. Obama tells Netanyahu that the US is reassessing its approach to Israeli-Palestinian peace.(AP/PNN/JTA/Ha’aretz/Times of Israel)

White House officials are deeply enraged by Netanyahu’s comments and suggest US-Israeli relations have fundamentally changed. (Ha’aretz) 

British Deputy PM Clegg says if Netanyahu does not backtrack from 2 state remarks, Britain would have no choice but to recognize a Palestinian state. (Ha’aretz)

An Israeli official says defense ties with the US will remain "intensive" despite a deepening rift between Obama and Netanyahu. (AFP)

AIPAC urges Obama to strengthen ties with Netanyahu. (Times of Israel)

The Joint List is demanding seats on major parliamentary committees and influence in decision-making in Arab schools and budgets. (New York Times/Ha’aretz)

The IDF opens six criminal investigations into soldiers’ actions during last summer’s war in Gaza, including the bombing of a UN school. (JTA/Times of Israel/Ynet)

Egyptian navy detains nine Palestinian fishermen. (Ma’an)

Speaker Boehner will visit Israel at the end of this month. (Reuters/Ha’aretz/Times of Israel)

As she prepares to make her campaign for president official, Hillary Clinton could face polarization among Jewish Democrats if she is critical of Netanyahu. (New York Times)

UNRWA says life for Palestinian refugees in Syria is becoming increasingly “unsustainable.” (Ma’an)

Gen. Petraeus says ISIS is not the biggest problem in Iraq. (Washington Post)

ISIS publishes a video purporting to show the beheading of three Kurdish peshmerga fighters in northern Iraq. (Reuters)

Ayatollah al-Sistani calls for greater professionalism and planning by government forces and allied militias in fighting ISIS. (Reuters)

In a message to Iran's people, Obama says this year represents the "best opportunity in decades" topursue a different relationship. (Reuters/AP/New York Times/Times of Israel)

The EU’s foreign ministers are due to meet Iranian nuclear negotiators in Lausanne on Saturday. (Reuters)

An IAEA report says Iran has continued to meet its commitments under an interim nuclear agreement with the P5+1. (Reuters/Jerusalem Post)

A Russian official says Iran talks are close to deal, but not there yet. (AP)

AP takes a look at the main issues in the Iranian nuclear talks. (AP)

Commentary:

Hussein Ibish says that if they can stay politically united, Israel’s Palestinian citizens could become government kingmakers. (Politico)

Shlomi Eldar says Palestinian citizens of Israel are disappointed by the election results.

Fareed Zakaria says Israel’s great vulnerability is its Arab population. (Washington Post)

David Ignatius says the White House is considering an “open breach” in the US-Israel relationship. (Washington Post)

Avi Issacharoff says Palestinians are waiting to see which Netanyahu got reelected. (Times of Israel)

Gershom Gorenberg says Netanyahu sees the Green Line as the border between where Arabs can't vote and where they shouldn't. (Ha’aretz)

Ha’aretz says Zionist Union’s “occupation ostrich policy” was a major factor in its defeat. (Ha’aretz)

Charles Krauthammer says Netanyahu’s win will not lead to more strife. (Washington Post)

Lisa Goldman says the US has to stop enabling Netanyahu’s “bad behavior.” (Foreign Policy)

The New York Times says even before the museum attack left at least 20 people dead, Tunisia’s Arab Spring success story was fading. (New York Times)

Raed Omari says Tunisia’s terror attack “was inevitable.” (Al Arabiya)

The National says confronting the terror threat in North Africa requires European economic investment. (The National)

The Daily Star says Arab and European governments must demonstrate resolve and vigilance as they guard against potential terror attacks. (Daily Star)

Tawfik Al-Saif says Arabs should take the lead on Syria. (Asharq al-Awsat)

News:

PM Netanyahu is poised to lead a heavily right-leaning coalition government with control of 67 of Knesset’s 120 seats. (Reuters/New York Times/Washington Post/JTA)

Pres. Rivlin will meet with representatives of each of the parties elected to serve in the 20th Knesset. (JTA)

Zionist Union leader Herzog says he will not join Netanyahu's government. (AP/JTA)

The world reacts to Netanyahu’s “no Palestinian state” pledge. (Reuters/AFP/Ha’aretz)

Palestinians see validation of their international initiatives with the re-election of Netanyahu. (New York Times)

Pres. Abbas says a two-state solution would be impossible to achieve with an Israeli government led by Netanyahu. (Ha’aretz/Ynet/Jerusalem Post/AFP)

A White House official says the US could back a UN resolution on Palestine. (Ha’aretz/Times of Israel)

The Obama administration is “deeply concerned” about Likud Party rhetoric marginalizing Palestinian citizens of Israel during the recent elections. (JTA/Times of Israel)

Four Israeli bulldozers and a military vehicle enter Palestinian areas near Rafah in southern Gaza. (Ma’an)

Palestinian youths clash with Israeli forces in occupied East Jerusalem following the takeover of a building by Jewish settlers. (Ma’an)

Extremist Jewish settlers uproot over 60 olive trees in the occupied West Bank. (Ma’an)

Israeli occupation forces detain 15 Palestinians throughout the occupied West Bank. (Ma’an)

The UN says the ICC should prosecute ISIS for genocide and war crimes in Iraq. (Reuters/AP/The National)

The death toll in the attack on Tunisia's National Bardo Museum rises to 23. (AP/New York Times/Washington Post)

A European negotiator says P5+1 are unlikely to reach a framework agreement on Iran's nuclear program in the coming days. (Reuters)

Reuters looks at Egypt’s project to build a new capital. (Reuters)

The US Embassy in Saudi Arabia will remain closed for consular services due to security concerns. (AP/The National)

UAE recalls its ambassador to Sweden in wake of comments the country’s foreign minister made about Saudi Arabia. (The National)

Commentary:

Hussein Ibish says Netanyahu's victory seems a devastating blow to hopes for peace. (NOW)

John Hudson and Colum Lynch say with Netanyahu holding on, the administration is weighing a turn to the UN to help force an Israeli-Palestinian deal. (Foreign Policy)

Thomas Friedman asks how the rest of the world is going to react to an Israeli government that rejects a two-state solution and employs anti-Arab dog whistles to get elected. (New York Times)

Natan Sachs looks at how Netanyahu rallied the right wing to secure a surprisingly solid victory. (Foreign Policy)

Michael Young says Netanyahu’s victory in Israel’s elections means that any hope of serious negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians is now virtually nil. (Daily Star)

Alan Philps says Netanyahu's disavowal of Palestinian statehood has merely torn away a mask that had become transparent. (The National)

Joyce Karam says Netanyahu’s win seals the fate of the peace process, rendering it completely hopeless. (Al Arabiya)

The Daily Star says its time for the international community to stand up to Netanyahu. (Daily Star)

The Jordan Times says now that the international community knows where Israel stands, it should seriously take it to task and force it to abide by UN resolutions. (Jordan Times)

E.J. Dionne looks at the “high cost” of Netanyahu’s comeback. (Washington Post)

Harold Meyerson says Netanyahu’s scorched earth tactics could make Israel’s problems worse. (Washington Post)

The Washington Post asks who loses as Netanyahu wins. (Washington Post)

Ron Kampeas asks if Netanyahu’s campaign rhetoric will cause further estrangement with Washington. (JTA)

Rebecca Shimoni Stoil says the coming weeks are critical as US waits to hear if Netanyahu will dial down his anti-two-state and anti-Arab rhetoric. (Times of Israel)

Aluf Benn says it was Netanyahu’s last-minute return to his anti-Arab, pro-settlement roots that boosted him back into power. (Ha’aretz)

Jonathan Schanzer explains why the media always gets Israeli elections wrong. (Politico)

Dov Zakheim looks at why pundits got the Israeli election so wrong. (Foreign Policy)

Peter Beinart says with Netanyahu's reelection, the peace process is over and the “pressure process” must begin. (Ha’aretz)

Akiva Eldar says Israel’s diplomatic future is in Kahlon’s hands. (Al-Monitor)

Jay Michaelson says Netanyahu finally revealed his “true face.” (The Forward)

Ha’aretz says the struggle to preserve Israel's democracy is just beginning. (Ha’aretz)

Ravit Hecht says Israel is galloping toward an anti-democratic binational future saturated with hatred and racism. (Ha’aretz)

Abdul Rahman Al Rashed looks at “Iran’s seizure” of Iraq. (Al Arabiya)

News:

PM Netanyahu wins a come-from-behind victory in Israel's election after tacking hard to the right in the final days of campaigning. (Reuters/AP/New York Times/Washington Post/JTA/Times of Israel/The National)

Zionist Union leader Herzog calls Netanyahu and concedes defeat in Israel’s national elections. (JTA/Ynet)

The new kingmaker of Israeli politics may be Moshe Kahlon. (AP)

The United Arab List receives a historic 14 seats in Israel’s next Parliament. (New York Times/AFP/Ha’aretz)

Embarrassed at failing to predict Netanyahu's victory, Israeli pollsters say they were blindsided. (Reuters)

Palestinian Chief Negotiator Erekat says the election result means that the Palestinians in turn willpush forward with efforts at the ICC. (JTA/Ha’aretz/Jerusalem Post)

PLO official Yasser Abed Rabbo slams the Israeli public for voting for Netanyahu, saying they had chosen "occupation and settlement building" over peace talks. (AFP)

The international media say Netanyahu wins big, but is leading Israel to isolation. (Ha’aretz/Times of Israel)

The EU says it is committed to working with the new Israeli government on relaunching a peace process with the Palestinians. (Reuters)

AP says Netanyahu’s reelection puts Israel on a course toward ever deeper confrontation with the world.  (AP)

Netanyahu retains power, but his sharp-edged campaign raises questions about Israel’s future. (New York Times)

An Arab Gulf official says Netanyahu owes his election win to Israeli security fears, notably about Iran's growing regional influence. (Reuters)

Palestinian officials will meet on Thursday to discuss severing military ties with Israel. (Times of Israel)

The PA sets an emergency budget in place for 2015 due to the absence of pledged international aid and Israel withholding its tax revenues. (Reuters/Times of Israel)

Egypt demolishes 1,020 Rafah homes for a buffer zone in Gaza. (Ma’an).

Israeli forces open fire on farmers in Gaza. (Ma’an)

Coalition Head John Allen says the US still wants a negotiated political settlement in Syria that excludes Pres. Assad. (Reuters)

The Syrian army takes control of the strategic village of Handarat, north of Aleppo. (Reuters)

The US loses one of its Predator drone aircraft over northwest Syria. (Reuters/AP)

DM al-Obeidi says Iraq's Sunni province of Anbar is key to launching the long-awaited operation to retake the city of Mosul from ISIS. (AP)

Gunmen wearing military uniforms attack the Bardo National Museum in downtown Tunis, killing at least seven foreign visitors and one Tunisian and taking hostages. (New York Times/AP/The National/Al Arabiya)

Commentary:

The New York Times says in his desperation to win, Netanyahu resorted to fear-mongering and anti-Arab attacks. (New York Times)

Oudeh Basharat says it turns out that Palestinian citizens of Israel are indeed a threat; they threaten the hegemony of a government that divides the two peoples. (Ha’aretz)

Roger Cohen says a national unity government may be the least bad outcome for Israel. (New York Times)

Gideon Levy says Netanyahu and the Israeli people deserve each other.  (Ha’aretz)

The National says Arab unity and Israeli racism are the election winners, paving the way for international pressure. (The National)

Bradley Burston says he is ashamed that PM Netanyahu is such a racist. (Ha’aretz)

Allison Kaplan Sommer looks at the “six big surprises” of the 2015 Israeli election. (Ha’aretz)

Uriel Heilman looks at five takeaways from the Israeli election. (JTA)

David Horovitz says the question now is how Netanyahu will use his power. (Times of Israel)

Haviv Rettig-Gur asks what is the future for the Israeli left. (Times of Israel)

Ha’aretz says Kahlon must thwart the establishment of an extreme right-wing government. (Ha’aretz)

Nathan Guttman says there is little hope for repairing ties between the US and Israel. (The Forward)

Thomas Friedman says in looking at Israel, Iran and ISIS, it seem as though the US has only bad choices, and nothing ever works. (New York Times)

News:

Israelis go to the polls today to elect a new government. (Reuters/New York Times/Washington Post/AFP/PNN/JTA/Ha’aretz/Times of Israel/Jerusalem Post)

PM Netanyahu’s political survival in on the line. (AP)

Netanyahu says the right-wing is in danger because “Arabs are voting in droves.” (Ha’aretz/Times of Israel/Jerusalem Post)

Netanyahu says if he was returned to office he would never allow the establishment of a Palestinian state. (New York Times/Washington Post/AFP/Times of Israel/The National)

Palestinian Chief Negotiator Erekat says Netanyahu has done everything possible to bury the two-state solution. (PNN)

Tzipi Livni says she will forgo the opportunity to take the prime minister position in two years should Zionist Union win. (JTA/Jerusalem Post)

Fatah leader Hatem Abdul Qader urges Palestinian citizens of Israel to vote for the United Arab List. (JTA/Times of Israel)

Israel closes the Kerem Shalom and Erez crossings for the elections. (Ma’an) 

The EU appoints Italian negotiator Fernando Gentilini as its next envoy for the Middle East peaceprocess. (JTA/Ha’aretz/Times of Israel)

A French prosecutor says the late Palestinian leader Arafat did not die of poisoning. (JTA/AFP)

Sec. Kerry’s comments on Assad talks create uproar in the Middle East. (Washington Post)

UN investigators say they are ready to share the names of, and details about, of Syria war crimessuspects. (Reuters)

A group monitoring the Syrian civil war says government forces carried out a poison gas attack that killed six people in the northwest. (Reuters/AP)

The White House is consulting former CIA Director Petraeus about the fight against ISIS. (AP)

The US says Iran has sent arms to Iraq to fight ISIS. (New York Times)

An American official says the P5+1 and Iran have been making headway in identifying technical options for a deal, but difficult issues remain. (Reuters)

Iranians are reportedly optimistic about clinching a nuclear agreement with the P5+1. (AP)

The US Embassy in Saudi Arabia remains closed to the public for a third day because of “security concerns.” (The National)

Commentary:

Munib al-Masri says Palestinians find themselves on the dark side of the slogan that's dominated these Israeli elections: “it's us or them.” (Ha’aretz)

Sayed Kashua says Ayman Odeh is the only one inspiring hope that there's still a chance of ending the occupation. (Ha’aretz)

Avi Issacharoff says Palestinians are fixated on the Israeli election but are divided on the preferable outcome.. (Times of Israel)

Gideon Levy says Israel is the only country that denies millions of subjects the right to vote but still calls itself a democracy. (Ha’aretz)

Gregg Carlstrom looks at “the last days of King Bibi.” (Foreign Policy)

Ha’aretz urges Israelis to vote out Netanyahu. (Ha’aretz)

Aaron David Miller looks at what an Israeli government will look like if Netanyahu loses the election to Herzog-- and what it could accomplish. (Foreign Policy)

John Hudson asks if Herzog can repair the US-Israel relationship. (Foreign Policy)

Ari Shavit says Israel's 2015 election is a referendum on hope. (Ha’aretz)

Amnon Reshef says Netanyahu’s failures have caused significant damage to Israel on security, Iran, peace talks and the economy. (Ynet)

Akiva Eldar says Israel’s election focuses on the politics of fear. (Al-Monitor)

Yossi Mekelberg asks if the election will create real change in Israel. (Al Arabiya)

The Daily Star says Kerry’s remarks regarding Assad have prompted concern and surprise in the Arab world and beyond. (Daily Star)

Abdul Rahman Al Rashed harshly criticizes Kerry’s stance on Syria. (Al Arabiya)

News:

AP and the Washington Post look at key campaign issues and main players in Israel’s upcoming parliamentary election. (AP/Washington Post)

The United Arab List rises as a major force in the upcoming Israeli election. (New York Times)

Business leaders see a “peace dividend” if PM Netanyahu loses the upcoming Israeli election. (Reuters)

Netanyahu visits occupied East Jerusalem in final day of campaign. (AP)

Tony Blair is reportedly preparing to resign as Middle East Peace Quartet Envoy. (Ha’aretz/JTA)

Hamas says it has rebuilt a number of military bases near the Israeli border in Gaza. (Ma’an) 

Israel eases entry criteria for Palestinians from the occupied West Bank. (Times of Israel)

The Palestinian Center for Development and Media Freedoms says 2014 saw 465 violations of media freedoms in the occupied territories. (Ma’an)

Israeli forces prepare to evict a Palestinian family in occupied East Jerusalem. (Ma’an)

FM Lieberman visits the Ibrahimi mosque in Hebron, prompting outrage. (Ma’an)

Israeli occupation forces detain 23 Palestinians in the occupied West Bank. (Ma’an)

Former Amb. Oren says Israel must repair ties with the US. (Ha’aretz)

Iraq says it has put its Tikrit offensive on hold and senior officials call for more air strikes to dislodge ISIS militants. (Reuters/New York Times)

Pres. Assad dismisses remarks made by Sec. Kerry that he should be included in negotiations to reach a political transition. (Reuters/AP)

US Gulf allies appear alarmed by Kerry’s comment regarding Assad. (Reuters)

France stresses it will not negotiate with Assad. (AFP)

Turkey slams Kerry over his Assad remarks. (AFP)

The US will decide soon on restoring military aid to Egypt. (New York Times)

The split within Jordan's Muslim Brotherhood is a blow to the broader regional group. (AP/Times of Israel/The National)

The EU says the P5+1 talks with Iran are entering a critical stage. (Reuters)

Prince Turki al-Faisal says an Iran deal could risk nuclear proliferation. (Reuters/Ynet)

An Iranian court sentences the son of former Pres. Rafsanjani to 15 years in prison. (New York Times)

Commentary:

Hussein Ibish says that Israel’s election results are unlikely to alter the status quo. (The National)

Ron Kampeas looks at why Israeli-Palestinian peace negotiations were like “bitter divorce proceedings.” (JTA)

Asmaa al-Ghoul says Palestinian women are discussing the possibility of increasing the female quota system with PLO factions. (Al-Monitor)

Anshel Pfeffer looks at seven post-election scenarios for Israel. (Ha’aretz)

Shmuel Rosner says Israelis need to “grow up” and vote for one of two main camps. (New York Times)

Carlo Strenger says Netanyahu seems to have lost touch with the ground rules of democracy and has become a danger to the state. (Ha’aretz)

Ha’aretz says Lieberman has abandoned all restraint and morality. (Ha’aretz)

J.J. Goldberg looks at how the Zionist Union could build a ruling coalition. (The Forward)

Anshel Pfeffer asks if opposition leader Herzog is “the ultimate anti-Netanyahu.” (Ha’aretz)

Raphael Ahren says a new Israeli government will almost certainly bring a more diplomatic foreign minister, but there will be not much change on the Palestinian or Iranian fronts. (Times of Israel)

Haviv Rettig-Gur looks at the “enigmatic and unpredictable” Israeli voter. (Times of Israel)

Paul Krugman looks at Israel’s extreme social inequality. (New York Times)

Faisal Al Yafai says the flip flopping in Washington over Kerry's remarks on Assad reflect a broader flip flopping in US policy towards Syria. (The National)

The Daily Star says the American “appeasement” of Iran in Syria adds up to collusion with Assad. (Daily Star)

Rami Khouri says Syria’s woes reflect wider Arab troubles. (Daily Star)

Abdul Rahman Al Rashed says the Egyptian people have been confronted with two choices: to build the future or destroy the present. (Al Arabiya)

Salman Aldossary says Egypt is now back on track and moving forward with unstoppable momentum. (Asharq al-Awsat)

FM Philip Hammond explains how Britain is contributing to build Egypt’s economy. (Asharq al-Awsat)

The Jordan Times says a strong Egypt is good for the region. (Jordan Times)

The National says a new Cairo must lead to a new Egypt. (The National)

Scott Atran and Douglas Stone say Kurds deserve more international support for their “heroic” stand against ISIS. (New York Times)

Jackson Diehl says the P5+1 negotiations are about more than Iran’s nuclear capabilities. (Washington Post)

Colum Lynch and Jamila Trindle say a historic nuclear deal with Iran is in sight, but unraveling the web of financial embargoes, asset freezes, and restricted oil sales will not be easy. (Foreign Policy)