NEWS:
Activists say three more Palestinians have been killed in Syria, in addition to 32 last week. (Ma'an/PNN)

Israel's new government is sending mixed messages on peace with the Palestinians. (AP)

Israel apparently will not have a permanent foreign minister for several months until the conclusion of former FM Lieberman's trial. (Ha'aretz)

Israeli anti-settlement activists say plans for building "Givat HaMatos" in the occupied West Bank are the most dangerous to peace. (IRIN)

A UNHRC fact-finding mission calls Israeli settlement activity "creeping annexation," but the US accuses the body of a "disproportionate focus" on Israel. (Jerusalem Post/)

PM Netanyahu says Israel is ready for "historic compromises" with the Palestinians. (Washington Post)

Israelis appear wary of Pres. Obama's visit, but say they're willing to listen. (New York Times)

Palestinians are skeptical the trip will result in any additional peace talks. (The National)

Obama's trip will mingle diplomacy and public diplomacy. (Xinhua)

New polls suggest Obama may be becoming slightly more popular in Israel on the eve of his visit. (Reuters)

Many expect Obama to try to reach an understanding with Israel over Iran policy. (New York Times)

Sec. Kerry will return to the region shortly after Obama's trip concludes to discuss prospects for peace negotiations. (Ha'aretz)

Obama is traveling to a new and much changed Middle East, which some think poses perils for his trip. (AP)

Some Palestinians vandalize a banner of Obama. (AP)

PM Fayyad is heading a Palestinian delegation to an international donors meeting in Brussels. (Ma'an)

Lebanese authorities say Israeli warplanes violated Lebanese airspace and dropped flares on Monday. (AP)

Israeli police say Palestinians shot and wounded an Israeli in a drive-by shooting in the occupied West Bank. (AP)

Qatar announces the first phase of a rebuilding project in Gaza. (Ma'an)

Hebrew is being increasingly taught in Gaza schools. (CSM)

Many analysts see the rise of Hamas as a direct consequence of, and threat to, the failing peace process. (USA Today)

Israeli troops demolish six structures in an "unauthorized" settlement outpost. (Xinhua)

Palestinians face a range of difficulties trying to buy and assert their ownership of land. (The Guardian)

Israeli defense experts expect long-term instability from Muslim militants in border regions. (JTA)
 

COMMENTARY:
The LA Times says despite low expectations, Obama must continue to push for a two-state solution. (Los Angeles Times)

Jeffrey Goldberg interviews Jordan's King Abdullah II. (The Atlantic)

Peter Beinart says Obama needs to charm Israelis, but also to frighten them. (Daily Beast/Open Zion)

Martin Indyk says if Obama can win over the Israeli public, this will be crucial leverage with Netanyahu. (Ha'aretz)

Alon Pinkas says that Obama will discover during his visit that Israelis and Palestinians are not ready for an agreement. (Al Monitor)

The Jerusalem Post thinks new DM Ya'alon will be second only to Netanyahu on defense and security issues. (Jerusalem Post)

Michael Singh says US allies in the Middle East are looking for American leadership. (Washington Post)

Ha'aretz says Israel has just inaugurated a settler government. (Ha'aretz)

Hassan Barari agrees settlers are the big winners in the new Israeli government coalition. (Arab News)

Gregg Carlstrom says Israeli settlers are no longer particularly hostile to, or worried about, Obama. (Al Jazeera)

A Palestinian child writes an open letter to Obama about how settlers took over part of his family's home. (The Guardian)

Diana Pinto says Obama is visiting a Jewish Israeli society that is only looking inward. (The Daily Star)

Eyad Abu Shakra evaluates a recent speech on the "Arab Spring" by Fayyad. (Al Arabiya)