Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu tells his cabinet that construction will continue in existing Jewish settlements in the West Bank, despite calls from President Obama to halt all settlement activity (1) (8). Other reports suggest Israel might be willing to dismantle “outpost” settlements (12) (16). An Israeli government panel backs a new bill that would ban Palestinians in Israel from commemorating the Nakba (3). French President Sarkozy says that a Palestinian state is vital to a larger Mideast peace (5). Recent Israeli restrictions severely impact Gaza fishermen (11). Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is set to meet with President Obama in Washington later this week (14) (17) (18), as speculation continues about Obama’s role in the peace process (8) (9) (13).