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PLO officials say proximity talks will be on hold until the settlement expansion is canceled, and Arab states may have withdrawn their support.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.

VP Biden arrives in the Middle East. A new book traverses Jewish and Arab narratives. Special Envoy Mitchell formally announces new proximity talks, but PM Fayyad says Israel must abide by its agreements and Palestinians say this is the last chance for negotiations. The PA says its budget deficit will fall in 2010, condemns settlement expansion and backs nonviolent protests in spite of Israeli pressure. Israel issues an "exception" for 112 new settler housing units. The Dubai assassination is having global consequences. Israel warns the PA to crack down on protests. The PA is planning to prevent Palestinians from working to build settlements. The Jordan Times critiques the increasing fundamentalism of Hamas rule in Gaza. Uri Avnery says Israel uses history and archaeology for political purposes. Ghassan Khatib says the international community must get involved in the Middle East peace process.

Hamas bans male hairdressers from women's salons, accuses the PA of arresting its members, denies Al Qaeda-like groups are operating in Gaza and says negotiations with Israel are a betrayal of the nation. Zion Evrony looks at how the Irish peace process can inform Middle East peace. The PA sends medicine to Gaza. The Irish Foreign Minister calls the Gaza blockade "medieval and inhumane." 60 Palestinians are injured in clashes at holy sites in occupied East Jerusalem. VP Biden may kick off proximity talks next week, but widespread skepticism remains and Ha'aretz reports that the US has agreed to assign blame for any failure. PLO officials accuse Israel of stalling. Yoel Marcus says PM Netanyahu knows what is needed for peace. Yoni Eshpar looks at the track record of boycotts and sanctions in many contexts. Jewish Americans urge VP Biden to reach out to Israelis. Many Palestinian women have become family breadwinners due to the occupation. Ehud Yaari says a Palestinian-Israeli armistice is urgently required before any final agreement. Ziad AbuZayyad says Palestinians must increasingly adopt the tactic of nonviolent resistance.