The ongoing controversy between the US and Israel continues to dominate coverage: the New York Times sees an opportunity for the United States; Israel continues to refuse to reign in settlements; Tom Friedman says the US should support the PA state building agenda; Maureen Dowd says Iran is benefiting from the controversy; Sec. Clinton tones down administration rhetoric; the Quartet is meeting to discuss the matter; a Ha'aretz commentary asks whether Pres. Obama will seek to unseat PM Netanyahu and an editorial says he should agree to American demands; Netanyahu's brother-in-law calls Obama an "anti-Semite." More than 100 Palestinians are injured in West Bank violence, and the Christian Science Monitor says Iran sees an opportunity in the chaos. Israel lifts the closure of the West Bank. PLO secretary-general Yasser Abed Rabbo announces a major Palestinian conference on Jerusalem. General David Petraeus expresses concern that Israel's policies may be endangering US troops. The OIC accuses Israel of promoting a religious war. 13 human rights organizations petition on behalf of Palestinian mobility. Tensions emerge between US Jewish and Presbyterian leaders.

Coverage continues to be dominated by the controversy over Jerusalem settlements: US anger is intensifying; the consecration of an East Jerusalem synagogue adds to the controversy; Roger Cohen says Obama has every reason to be angry, but Washington Post says the President is picking on Israel; the administration is reportedly pressuring Israel to accept conditions for new talks, is still waiting for a formal response and expresses confidence; Israel says settlement activity in Jerusalem will continue; the PA condemns settlement expansion and child detentions; Special Envoy Mitchell's travel plans are now on hold; PM Netanyahu says Jerusalem settlements "in no way" hurt Palestinians and a Ha'aretz commentary questions his fitness to lead; Hamas announces a "day of rage"; both the JTA and the Arab News say this crisis is "serious." Israeli soldiers reportedly wound seven Palestinians. Ghassan Khatib and Yossi Alpher praise the PA state and institution building program.

Fallout continues from Israel's announcement of 1600 new settler units in occupied East Jerusalem during the VP Biden's visit: PM Netanyahu apologizes but indicates no change in policy; Tom Friedman says Biden should have left Israel as soon as the announcement was made; Sec. Clinton and other administration officials continue to express outrage and have reportedly asked Israel to cancel the plan; speculation is rife about its impact on US-Israel relations; YNet says Israel now has to implement a de facto freeze in Jerusalem; Aaron David Miller says the administration is unlikely to want an extended confrontation; the Jerusalem Post says the controversy is a godsend to the PA and is being used by the administration to force clarity on the Israeli government. Israel extends its closure in the occupied West Bank for three more days and declares villages that have been the scene of nonviolent protests "closed military areas." Ha'aretz describes the abuse of a Palestinian shepherd by Israeli soldiers, and the Guardian reports on mistreatment of hundreds of Palestinian children in Israeli detention. A report in Foreign Policy says the US military believes that Israel's policies are endangering US troops.

Israel imposes a 48-hour closure on the entire West Bank. VP Biden ends his Middle East trip amid controversy and uncertainty. Multiple commentaries analyze his trip and his speech to Israelis. Israel may amend its law to prevent similar miscalculations in future. Two Israeli soldiers are indicted for using Palestinian civilians as human shields. The LA Times asks what Pres. Obama can do to restore confidence in the peace process, and Amjad Atallah says there are lessons from health-care reform. Egypt expels hundreds of Palestinians to Gaza. Israeli warplanes bomb southern Gaza. The 1,000th day of the Gaza blockade is marked, and the UN reiterates serious concerns. Pres. Abbas is asking the US to ensure Israel cancels East Jerusalem settlement plans. Larry Derfner says PM Fayyad is now the leader of the peace movement. ATFP Pres. Ziad Asali says Washington is the indispensable partner for peace.

The New York Times calls Israel's new settlement announcement, "a slap in the face to Washington." VP Biden's trip is entirely overshadowed by the development. The LA Times says a two-state agreement is still the only way to achieve peace. PLO officials say proximity talks will be on hold until the settlement expansion is canceled, and Arab states may have withdrawn their support. Pres. Abbas says Arabs must intervene. Hamas frees a British journalist in Gaza. A 35-year-old woman becomes governor of a key district in the West Bank. Ha'aretz says Israel is planning 50,000 new settlement units in Occupied East Jerusalem, more construction bids are issued in the West Bank, and a commentary says the US can no longer turn a blind eye. Large percentages of Israelis say they don't want equality for Arabs. A British witness recounts the killing of an American activist by Israeli forces. The Independent says Israel may get away with its latest behavior. Michael Young looks at four years in Gaza following Hamas' parliamentary victory. The National says Israel has damaged prospects for peace. Daoud Kuttab analyzes the settlement issue.

The New York Times calls Israel's new settlement announcement, "a slap in the face to Washington." VP Biden's trip is entirely overshadowed by the development. The LA Times says a two-state agreement is still the only way to achieve peace. PLO officials say proximity talks will be on hold until the settlement expansion is canceled, and Arab states may have withdrawn their support. Pres. Abbas says Arabs must intervene. Hamas frees a British journalist in Gaza. A 35-year-old woman becomes governor of a key district in the West Bank. Ha'aretz says Israel is planning 50,000 new settlement units in Occupied East Jerusalem, more construction bids are issued in the West Bank, and a commentary says the US can no longer turn a blind eye. Large percentages of Israelis say they don't want equality for Arabs. A British witness recounts the killing of an American activist by Israeli forces. The Independent says Israel may get away with its latest behavior. Michael Young looks at four years in Gaza following Hamas' parliamentary victory. The National says Israel has damaged prospects for peace. Daoud Kuttab analyzes the settlement issue.

The New York Times calls Israel's new settlement announcement, "a slap in the face to Washington." VP Biden's trip is entirely overshadowed by the development. The LA Times says a two-state agreement is still the only way to achieve peace. PLO officials say proximity talks will be on hold until the settlement expansion is canceled, and Arab states may have withdrawn their support. Pres. Abbas says Arabs must intervene. Hamas frees a British journalist in Gaza. A 35-year-old woman becomes governor of a key district in the West Bank. Ha'aretz says Israel is planning 50,000 new settlement units in Occupied East Jerusalem, more construction bids are issued in the West Bank, and a commentary says the US can no longer turn a blind eye. Large percentages of Israelis say they don't want equality for Arabs. A British witness recounts the killing of an American activist by Israeli forces. The Independent says Israel may get away with its latest behavior. Michael Young looks at four years in Gaza following Hamas' parliamentary victory. The National says Israel has damaged prospects for peace. Daoud Kuttab analyzes the settlement issue.

The New York Times covers evictions of Palestinians in East Jerusalem. Israel's announcement of 1600 new settlement units in occupied East Jerusalem disrupts VP Biden's trip. Israeli officials say no slight was intended. PM Fayyad, Biden and the White House condemn the move, and the Vice President says Palestinians deserve a viable state and that the US supports state and institution building efforts. Two commentaries and a report from Human Rights Watch highlight Israel's crackdown on nonviolent Palestinian protests. The PA postpones commemoration of the death of a militant. Gaza hairdressers protest Hamas' ban. Palestinians say Arab states have withdrawn their support for proximity talks. Ha'aretz says Israeli policy allows settlers to rampage unchecked. Daoud Kuttab says complaints about New York Times coverage of Palestine has only produced the loss of its Palestinian correspondent in Gaza.

The decision by the Israeli Ministry of Interior to approve 1,600 new homes in East Jerusalem drew sharp reactions, including a strongly-worded condemnation by Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr., who is currently visiting Israel. ATFP believes that “advocates of violence, confrontation and escalation of conflict can only be gratified at this announcement.” Following is a special ATFP news roundup about this development.

VP Biden arrives in Israel, reiterates US security guarantees, urges the parties to take risks for peace and is interviewed by al-Hayat. The Washington Post looks at the occupation in Hebron. The PA condemns Israel's announcement of 112 new settlement units near Bethlehem. Israel agrees to allow UNSG Ban and other international officials into Gaza, and will resume issuing visas to international NGO workers. Palestinian opposition groups predict the failure of proximity talks. Israel is accused of mistreating young Palestinian protesters. Alex Fishman says the PA is seeking a large victory in July municipal elections. The BBC profiles Israel's law banning Palestinian spouses from entering the country. Israel's deputy mayor in Jerusalem is considering opening an office in Sheikh Jarrah to help Jewish settlers, and the IPS says the controversy has awakened the Israeli left. The occupation complicates Israel's bid for OECD membership and Seth Freedman says the OECD is falling short of its responsibilities. The JTA profiles PM Fayyad. Osama Al Sharif warns of the dangers of another intifada.