NEWS: The United Methodist Church votes against divesting from companies that provide equipment to enforce Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories. Hamas says it has been holding secret diplomatic talks with five EU countries. The regional epidemic of foot and mouth disease among livestock has spread to Gaza. Some Palestinian journalists boycott a press freedom reception at the US consulate in Jerusalem in support of hunger striking prisoners. A Likud official says September 4 is the most likely date for the next Israeli election. Some Israelis say the upcoming election make an Israeli attack against Iranian nuclear facilities more unlikely. Palestinian political leaders meet in Cairo. Nuns in Bethlehem protest the next phase of Israel's separation barrier in the occupied West Bank. Hamas officials say Khaled Meshaal may “be asked” to run for another term of Politburo leadership even though he said he would not. An Israeli marathon runner supports Palestinian human rights and says they also face a marathon struggle. COMMENTARY: Raja Shehadeh looks at how Israeli settlement activity has grown relentlessly over the decades and how it has compromised the prospects for peace. Jonathan Rosen says Netanyahu might end up with the largest party in the Knesset and still not be prime minister after the next election. Harriet Sherwood asks why Israel is holding elections now. Sadegh Zibakalam says the Arab uprisings have created a new atmosphere for real, lasting peace with Israel. Aaron David Miller lists five “dumb ideas" about dealing with the Middle East. Frank Barat interviews Jeff Halper about the state of the occupation. Robert Blecher says, difficult and remote as it may seem, a two-state solution is still the most straightforward and only conflict-ending solution for Israel and the Palestinians. Philip Farah says Palestinian Christians are united in opposing the occupation. Elliott Abrams says Hamas is one of the big losers of the “Arab Spring.”

NEWS: Palestinians increasingly see nonviolent tactics, like hunger striking, as key to their movement. PM Fayyad says PM Netanyahu is ultimately responsible for prisoners' health. Hungers-striking prisoners appeal to Israeli courts. Israeli prison authorities say prisoners cannot consult their lawyers if they can no longer stand to meet them. Public Security Minister Aharonovitch agrees “administrative detention” should be kept to a minimum. The brother of the assassin of the late PM Rabin is released. The Israeli Navy inaugurates its 4th Dolphin class submarine. Sec. Clinton's top technology adviser tells Palestinian bloggers the US supports Internet freedom. Hamas complains the PA detained 61 of its members in the West Bank last month. An abandoned Israeli military base in the occupied West Bank becomes the latest settlement outpost. Israel removes six large roadblocks near major West Bank towns. COMMENTARY: Saliba Sarsar says Palestinian Christians are disappearing. Adrian Blomfield asks if a revolt against Pres. Abbas is brewing in the West Bank. The CSM interviews former Israeli official Yossi Beilin. Yoel Marcus says if he wins the coming Israeli election, Netanyahu will have a mandate for his policy of doing nothing. Guy Bechor says Israel's regional dominance in deep-sea waters is growing through its expanding submarine fleet. Racheli Malek-Boda says she and other settlers should realize the humanity of the Palestinians around them. Jay Bushinski says there is growing interest in Israel about a "federated state" with the West Bank, but not with Gaza. J.J. Goldberg says a recent conference demonstrated huge rifts between Israeli and Jewish-American perceptions regarding Iran. Patrick Seale says Netanyahu's attitudes are increasingly being challenged within the Israeli establishment. Ahmad Majdoubeh says Arabs and Muslims should keep visiting Jerusalem. George Hishmeh says Israeli politics are in disarray over Iran and the Palestinians.