Date

NEWS:
 
Israeli-Palestinian negotiations begin amid widespread doubts. (AP/New York Times)
 
The negotiations will enter their second day today, after a "constructive and productive"beginning. (AFP)
 
 
There is deep skepticism in public opinion on both sides. (Reuters)
 
Israel's deputy Foreign Minister rules out the possibility of a Palestinian state. (Times of Israel)
 
Some analysts think Israeli and Palestinian leaders are driven by not wanting to be seen in Washington as obstructionist. (Christian Science Monitor)
 
Many of the figures involved in the new talks are long-standing players in the process. (AP/Los Angeles Times)
 
Martin Indyk is formally appointed new US Special Envoy for Middle East peace, although he has previously expressed skepticism about prospects for a deal. (AP/Ha'aretz)
 
Israeli settlements remain a major challenge for Israeli-Palestinian peace. (Washington Post)
 
Pres. Abbas says no Israeli soldiers or settlers can remain inside a Palestinian state. (Reuters)
 
Israel's Economy Minister Bennett boasts “I have killed lots of Arabs in my life – and there is no problem with that.” (Jerusalem Post)
 
Palestinians say the Syrian government has arrested two Palestinian journalists. (Ma'an)
 
Israel is preparing to supply fuel to Gaza as Egypt's border closures continue to intensify shortages. (Ha'aretz)
 
Abbas meets with Egyptian leaders in Cairo. (Jerusalem Post)
 
Hamas accuses Abbas of "fabricating" a smear campaign against the group in Egypt. (Times of Israel)
 
Hamas launches a wave of counter-criticism against Egyptian media. (Al Monitor)
 
Arab clients face complex and unusual problems at some Israeli banks. (Ha'aretz)
 
 
COMMENTARY:
 
Hussein Ibish and David Makovsky discuss the new peace talks on PBS NewsHour. (PBS)
 
The Boston Globe says Middle East peace is a crucial American national interest. (Boston Globe)
 
Roger Cohen says there's hope Netanyahu can prove a peacemaker. (New York Times)
 
Aaron David Miller says while there is reason for significant skepticism, the US has no choice but to try again for Middle East peace. (New York Times)
 
Harriet Sherwood says Abbas and Netanyahu may seem far apart on key issues, but neither underestimates Sec. Kerry's resolve. (The Guardian)
 
Andrew Hammond says Pres. Obama is looking to the Middle East for his long-term legacy. (The Guardian)
 
Salman Masalha says Israeli and Palestinian leaders should start telling their people the truth: if two states don't exist, neither will. (Ha'aretz)
 
Ha'aretz says Netanyahu is beginning to show the first signs of being a statesman. (Ha'aretz)
 
Ilene Prusher interviews Yossi Beilin on his advice for negotiators. (Ha'aretz)
 
Karl Vick explains the significance of the prisoner release. (Time)
 
Shlomo Gazit says Israel shouldn't have agreed to the prisoner release. (Ha'aretz)
 
Akiva Eldar says releasing prisoners is an essential part of any peace process. (Al Monitor)
 
Jeffrey Goldberg says Israel chose to release murderers rather than freeze settlements. (Bloomberg)
 
Reuven Rivlin says a clear and unequivocal referendum may be necessary to avoid civil conflict in Israel in the case of a peace deal. (Jerusalem Post)
 
Grant Rumley looks at potential Palestinian alternatives to the peace process. (The National Interest)
 
Moshe Ronen says Israel's decision not to cooperate with the EU in the occupied territories is childish and counterproductive. (YNet)
 
UK Amb. Gould says Israel is enriching Hamas by forcing trade into smuggling tunnels, rather than through legitimate means. (YNet)
 
Eric Yoffie says synagogues shouldn't apologize for shunning hatemongering Islamophobic speakers. (The Forward)
 
Adnan Abu Amer interviews Jordanian MB leader Arshid, who claims former Pres. Morsi was ousted "for opposing Israel." (Al Monitor)
 
Gershom Gorenberg says the Israeli far right doesn't only underestimate the number of Palestinians, it overestimates the number of settlers. (Daily Beast/Open Zion)
 
Elliott Abrams and Uri Sadot say no one really knows how many settlers there are in the occupied Palestinian territories. (Foreign Policy)
 
Daniel Altman says it's actually China that stands to gain the most from new Middle East peace talks. (Foreign Policy)

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