The Christian Science Monitor examines how back-channels may play a key role in upcoming Israeli-Palestinian negotiations (2.) The Jewish Telegraphic Agency looks at how some Israeli setters are attempting to build further settlement outposts in the occupied Palestinian territories in order to subvert peace negotiations (3.) A Philadelphia Inquirer opinion by Eric Trager urges the inclusion of a second Arab party to the Israeli-Palestinian negotiations to help each side overcome their respective weaknesses (5.) The Toronto Star (Canada) reports on the unpredictability and arduousness of commuting for Palestinians in the occupied West Bank because of Israeli restrictions (7.) The Telegraph (UK) examines how planned Israeli construction in the Har Homa settlement threatens upcoming Mideast peace talks (9.) A Jordan Times (Jordan) opinion by Gwynne Dyer fleshes out Israeli PM Olmert's statements on the choices available to Israel being either a Palestinian state or an apartheid-like situation (11.) In Haaretz (Israel) Bradley Burston urges a new Israeli policy to encourage the elements within the Hamas movement moving towards accommodation with Israel (12.) Also in Haaretz, an editorial is critical of the Har Homa settlement expansion and warns of its many damaging ramifications (14.)

A New York Times editorial urges Israelis and Palestinians to begin the work necessary to break out of old patterns detrimental to peace negotiations (2.) In Israel Policy Forum, MJ Rosenberg takes heart in growing indications that the more conservative American Jewish institutions are adopting the two-state solution paradigm (4.) A Jewish Telegraphic Agency opinion by AMEINU president Kenneth Bob calls on U.S. Jews to support Israeli government decisions on the future of Jerusalem (6.) The New Statesman (UK) reports on the critical shortages affecting Gaza and its civilian population (7.) The Australian (Australia) reports on an open letter from Hamas to Secretary of State Rice asking that the sanctions against Gaza be lifted (8.) In Haaretz (Israel) Amira Haas reports on how the takeover of three institutions in Gaza by Hamas has deepened the Gaza-West Bank split (9.) Also in Haaretz are the results of a survey of the Israeli public post-Annapolis (10.) A Jordan Times (Jordan) editorial is critical of the reported Israeli offer of a provisional Palestinian state made at Annapolis (13.)

The Associated Press reports on comments by Israeli vice-PM Ramon that shed light on the Israeli government position on jerusalem in the lead up to negotiations (2.) Americans For Peace Now presents its weekly translations of excerpts from the Israeli press (4.) In the New Republic, contributing editor Yossi Halevi interviews figures in the Israeli defense establishment to reveal a major disconnect between the U.S. and Israel over the National Intelligence Estimate on Iranian nuclear weaponization (5.) The Guardian (UK) examines the continuing repercussions of the NIE report on Israeli politicians and the media (7.) The Sunday Herald (UK) looks at how the blockade of Gaza has impacted the strip's health-care system (9.) A Daily Star (Lebanon) opinion by Rami Khpuri sees the announced expansion of the Har Homa settlement in occupied East Jerusalem as a test for both the U.S. and the Palestinian leadership (10.) A Haaretz (Israel) opinion by Akiva Eldar views the Har Homa issue as a test for Annapolis, drawing lessons from the first crisis related to that settlement in 1997 (12.)

Reuters reports on Secretary of State Rice's criticism of Israeli plans to expand the Har Homa settlement in occupied East Jerusalem (2.) In Middle East Bulletin, ATFP executive director Dajani and advocacy director Omari address the 'how and when' of engagement with Hamas (4.) A Gulf News (UAE) opinion by Damascus university lecturer Marwan Kabalan analyzes Iran's strategy in opposing the Annapolis meeting (8.) A Jordan Times (Jordan) opinion by Rami Khouri suggests that acknowledgment of Israel as a state of the Jewish people can only be a part and consequence of final status negotiations leading to Palestinian statehood (9.) Haaretz (Israel) profiles and interviews Tariq Abbas, son of Palestinian president Abbas (11.)

The Christian Science Monitor examines the results of a poll of the Palestinian public showing a dramatic decline in support for Hamas among the Palestinians with a vast majority, including Gazans, favoring President Abbas' path to peace negotiations with Israel (2.) The Los Angeles Times looks at how the new U.S. intelligence report on Iran's nuclear program plays into Arab concern over Iranian intentions in the region (5.) A Gulf News (UAE) opinion by George Hishmeh weighs the positive results of the Annapolis meeting with some of the negative moments (7.)

The Associated Press reports on Israeli plans to build 300 new homes in an East Jerusalem settlement based on their contention that East Jerusalem is not occupied territory (2.) In the American Prospect, Israeli author and journalist Gershom Gorenberg analyzes Israeli PM Olmert's reluctant and incomplete conversion to a true believer in a complete Israeli withdrawal from the occupied Palestinian territories (4.) The Jewish Telegraphic Agency reports on a new Israeli hardline right-wing fund established to offset the effect of left-wing groups on Israelis (6.) The Telegraph (UK) reports on the discrepancy between successive Israeli governments' pledges to demolish illegal settlement structures with actual demolition (8.) An Asharq Alawsat opinion by Hussein Shobokshi draws hope from the emergence of a Palestinian 'third way' (10.) In Miftah (Palestine) Joharah Baker laments the damage to the Palestinian cause that disunity has done (12.) A Jerusalem Post (Israel) opinion by B'Tselem executive director Jessica Montell is critical of Israel's policy in Gaza resulting in a humanitarian disaster for Palestinian civilians (14.)

Reuters reports on the expanding Palestinian security crackdown in the West Bank (2.) Inter Press Service examines the recent remarks by Israeli PM Olmert linking Israel's future existence with the need for a Palestinian state, in the context of preparing the Israeli public for withdrawing from the occupied Palestinian territories (4.) The Associated Press looks at Israel's refusal to include occupied East Jerusalem in its partial settlement freeze as evidenced by the announcement of new settlement construction there (5.) Der Speigel (Germany) analyzes how converting the current opportunity for Israeli-Palestinian peace may depend as much on the neighboring countries as it does on the protagonists themselves (8.) BBC (UK) Middle East editor Jeremy Bowen senses an opportunity for a negotiated Israeli-Palestinian settlement in 2008 despite the many obstacles to achieving one (9.) A Haaretz (Israel) editorial comes out in support of voluntary settler evacuation through the 'compensation for evacuation' Knesset bill (11.) A Jerusalem Post (Israel) opinion by Gershon Baskin examines the likely repercussions of a failure of the post-Annapolis process (12.) An Arab News (Saudi Arabia) opinion by John Whitbeck urges the Palestinians to capitalize on Israeli PM Olmert's statements regarding the necessity of a two-state solution to Israel's survival by attaching a deadline to pursuit of such a solution (14.)

The New York Times interviews a variety of Mideast experts to get a sense of the level of personal involvement by President Bush in upcoming Israeli-Palestinian peace treaty negotiations (2.) A Washington Post opinion by Jackson Diehl cautions against allowing the Gaza situation to simmer and calls for a Hamas-Israel ceasefire (4.) Christianity Today features the text of a letter sent to President Bush by U.S. evangelical leaders reiterating their previous public support for a two-state solution (5.) A Forward opinion by Leonard Fein stresses that the two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict remains the only option despite the many challenges he lists that it faces (7.) Reuters reports on the impact in Gaza of Israeli fuel supply cuts to the strip (9.) The Economist (UK) analyzes the participation in and results of the Annapolis meeting (10.) A Daily Star (Lebanon) opinion by former Israeli education minister Shulamit Aloni, published in collaboration with Common Ground News Service, argues against the definition of Israel as a 'Jewish state' (13.) A Ynet/Yedioth opinion by Michal Radoshitzky urges that the post-Annapolis period leverage declarations and intentions into progress on the ground and in negotiations (16.)