NEWS:

Palestinian PM-designate Hamdallah says he hopes to form a government in a week or so. (Reuters)

Israeli officials accuse Palestinians of being unwilling to resume negotiations. (AP)

Pres. Abbas says Palestinians want to return to talks "as soon as possible," and other Palestinian officials say they are "exerting every possible effort" to make that happen. (Ma'an)

Palestinian officials reportedly say Abbas has warned Sec. Kerry he will effectively dismantle the PA if peace talks are not successfully resumed. (Jerusalem Post/The Guardian)

Palestinians are calling attention to the issue of the strategic fort of Latrun, occupied by Israel in 1967. (New York Times)

Israel's AG asserts in court that the "Absentee Property Law" applies in occupied East Jerusalem and Palestinian property there can thereby be "lawfully" seized from its owners by the state. (Ha'aretz)

A new poll suggests 72% of Jewish Israelis see Jerusalem as a divided city, but 74% refuse any notion of a Palestinian capital in any part of it. (Jerusalem Post)

Israeli settlers complain to Israel's housing minister about what they assert is a "de facto settlement freeze." (Jerusalem Post)

Palestinian prisoners say Israel should formally recognize them as prisoners of war. (Xinhua)

A delegation of Jordanian Islamists visits Gaza. (Ma'an)

The EU contributes €19 million to help pay Palestinian public sector employees' May salaries. (PNN)

Reem Omran, a young high-tech entrepreneur, is trying to promote IT business and education in Gaza. (Christian Science Monitor)

Gaza youths are increasingly trying to flee harsh conditions by crossing into Israel. (Al Monitor)

The rebuilding of the Nahr al-Bared refugee camp in Lebanon comes to standstill over funding shortfalls. (Daily Star)

COMMENTARY:

Thomas Friedman says regional instability makes peace with the Palestinians more, not less, important for Israel. (New York Times)

David Makovsky says Hamdallah's appointment is a victory for Fatah as a party in power. (WINEP)

Jonathan Schanzer says Hamdallah was chosen precisely because he is inexperienced and a political novice. (Foreign Policy)

Shlomi Eldar says Hamdallah's appointment might be aimed at drawing in more European involvement. (Al Monitor)

Amira Hass says the Ramallah leadership's most basic policies are unlikely to change under Hamdallah. (Ha'aretz)

Yitzhak Laor says, in order to succeed as a nation, Israel must end the occupation. (Ha'aretz)

The Jerusalem Post strongly implies Israel should retain control of all of Jerusalem. (Jerusalem Post)

Ron Kampeas says that while Kerry is appealing to both sides for progress, AIPAC puts all the onus on the Palestinians. (JTA)

Zvi Bar'el says lots of countries face major threats, but none of them talk about them as much as Israel does. (Ha'aretz)

Sarah Wildman says planned building in two Israeli settlements in occupied East Jerusalem could signal a flood of new settlement activity soon. (The New Yorker)

NEWS:

New PA PM Hamdallah is primarily known for expanding the University he headed, and for his career as a scholar . (Bloomberg/New York Times/WAFA)

His new government faces many challenges, and he is widely seen as a caretaker figure. (Xinhua/BBC/Washington Post)

Many experts wonder if Hamdallah can really fill the shoes left by former PM Fayyad. (Christian Science Monitor/Wall Street Journal/The Media Line)

Hamdallah says he will prioritize Palestinian reconciliation, but many Palestinians see little hope of that and express disappointment, apathy and skepticism. (Al Arabiya/Gulf News/Ha'aretz)

In remarks to the American Jewish Committee, Sec. Kerry says the coming days will be crucial in the prospects for Israeli-Palestinian peace. (State Department/Ha'aretz/AP/Reuters)

Palestinians say the failure of Kerry's mission is "not an option" for them. (Ma'an)

Kerry may soon return to the Middle East for more peace efforts. (Reuters/Jerusalem Post)

Palestinians are asking an Israeli court to order the evacuation of the "Ulpana" settlement which is built on private Palestinian property. (Jerusalem Post)

Israeli occupation forces say they have foiled a "terror plot" by Hamas, and arrested eight Palestinians, in the occupied West Bank. (Xinhua/Ma'an)

The PA arrests a Bethlehem journalist on charges of spreading sectarian hatred and false information. (Ma'an)

A US government website publicizes classified information detailing the location, design and specifications of a launch site for Israel’s new Arrow 3 anti-ballistic missile system. (Times of Israel)

Hamas leaders reportedly confirm Iran has cut funding to the group in retaliation for differences over Syria. (The Daily Telegraph)

COMMENTARY:

ATFP issues a statement wishing Hamdallah success in meeting the PA's challenges and in performing the duties of his office. (ATFP)

Yossi Alpher says Hamdallah's appointment is a typical stopgap measure by Pres. Abbas. (APN)

AFP says Hamdallah may try to follow in  former PM Fayyad's footsteps, but could find that very difficult. (AFP)

Ibrahim Sharqiehsays Hamdallah's appointment represents a new opportunity for progress, but if the US and Israel treat him as they did Fayyad, it will be squandered. (Al Arabiya)

Khaled Abu Toameh says Hamdallah will probably prove merely a "yes man for Fatah." (Jerusalem Post)

Amos Harel says Fayyad was the only Mideast politician truly admired by IDF officials. (Ha'aretz)

Chemi Shalev says Kerry and Pres. Obama are contradicting the cliché that the US can't want peace more than the parties. (Ha'aretz)

Natan Sachs says Kerry's peace efforts lack Israeli and Palestinian buy-in. (Ha'aretz)

Jonathan Cook says Kerry's plan sets the Palestinians up for failure. (The National)

Akiva Eldar says the Palestinian leadership is more interested in establishing borders than in Kerry's proposed $4 billion economic stimulus. (Al Monitor)

Amnon Beeri-Sulitzeanu says Israel's Bedouin community is invisible when it comes to public services, but demonized as a public danger. (Ha'aretz)

Linah Alsaafin says Israeli settlers are intensifying violence against Palestinians. (Al Monitor)

Akram Atallah says Hamas is persisting in its aggressive efforts to "Islamize" Gaza. (Al-Ayyam)

NEWS:

Pres. Abbas appoints Rami Hamdallah, president of An-Najah University, as thenew PA Prime Minister. (New York Times/AP/LA Times)

The US welcomes the appointment. (PNN)

PM Hamdallah says most serving ministers will retain their posts in the cabinet. (Xinhua)

Hamas denounces the new PA government as "illegal." (Xinhua)

Sec. Kerry will reportedly visit Amman "within days" for further peace talks. (AFP)

American officials say Kerry and the US will drop peace initiatives if Israelis and Palestinians prove not to be serious about them. (Ha'aretz)

Germany may soon join other European countries in labeling all Israeli settlement products. (The Media Line)

Egypt says it will increase the number of Palestinians allowed to cross from Gaza from 800 to 1,100 per day. (Ma'an)

The PA says 2,000 Palestinians are in prison in Syria. (Ma'an)

Israeli authorities say they're planning to demolish two Palestinian homes in the flashpoint Silwan neighborhood of occupied East Jerusalem. (Ma'an)

A Palestinian citizen of Israel is reportedly charged with handing information to Hezbollah. (Xinhua)

Israel has reached an agreement with an unidentified country to transfer thousands of African migrants. (AP)

Israel ranks number 10 in countries with the most millionaires. (Xinhua)

Israel now reportedly has an arsenal of at least 80 nuclear warheads. (Times of Israel)

Egypt deploys more military forces in Sinai in coordination with Israel. (Times of Israel)

Enthusiasm for Mohammed Assaf, widely expected to win this year's "Arab Idol" TV singing contest, continues to grow. (Christian Science Monitor)

COMMENTARY:

Barak Ravid calls PM Hamdallah "a good man on a suicide mission." (Ha'aretz)

The CSM says cooperation between Israeli and Palestinian businesspeople could be a breakthrough towards peace. (Christian Science Monitor)

Hani al-Masri says economic initiatives will not solve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. (Al Monitor)

Amira Hass says the Jewish experience during the British mandate shows economies can be built under occupation, and the same can happen Palestinians if Israel lifts its restrictions. (Ha'aretz)

Ahmad Azem says Kerry's economic initiative ignores the need for Palestinian economic independence. (Al Monitor)

Hilik Bar says Israelis should stop saying there is "no Palestinian partner" for peace. (Jerusalem Post)

Ha'aretz says Israel must let Palestinian doctors work in Jerusalem hospitals. (Ha'aretz)

David Landau says Kerry's approach to peace is only strengthening hardliners on both sides. (Ha'aretz)

Ram Cohen says discriminatory policies at an Israeli amusement park are a reflection of the countries racist laws and policies. (YNet)

Lucy Aharish says segregation in Israel is endemic and racism is a major part of the national culture. (YNet)

Jeff Barak says the racism that is so deeply ingrained in Israeli culture is a major factor in what many believe is the demise of the two-state solution. (Jerusalem Post)

The Jerusalem Post says that because Israel is a "Jewish country" it can never have a complete separation between state and religion. (Jerusalem Post)

Adel Safty says Israel's bullying of its neighbors and abuse of Palestinians explains its international unpopularity. (Gulf News)

Ahmad Samih Khalidi says Israel and the Palestinians are looking at an open-ended struggle into the foreseeable future. (LSE)

NEWS:

Israel's Housing Ministry gives final approval for 300 new settler homes in occupied East Jerusalem. (AP)

US and Palestinian officials complain about Israeli settlement activity in occupied East Jerusalem. (AFP/Jerusalem Post)

EU foreign policy chief Ashton says Israeli settlement activity in occupied East Jerusalem is illegal and threatens the two-state solution. (PNN)

Palestinian and Israeli officials blame each other for stalling on new US peace initiatives. (Xinhua)

Israeli and Palestinian businessmen are trying to forge peace through economic cooperation. (The Economist)

The arrest of high-profile columnist Ibrahim Abrash calls attention to Hamas' repression of free speech in Gaza. (Al Monitor)

An Israeli park is accused of racism for holding separate days for Jewish and Arab visitors. (Xinhua)

Another Palestinian in Gaza dies from self immolation. (Xinhua)

Israeli police are investigating the desecration of a prominent Jerusalem church for the second time, apparently by Jewish hooligans. (AP/Ha'aretz)

Palestinian refugees in Lebanon burn aid donated by Hezbollah in protest against the group's involvement in the Syrian conflict. (Daily Star)

Pres. Assad warns Israel and says he has a stockpile of new Russian weapons. (New York Times)

Russia signs a new agreement to sell at least 10 MiG fighters to Syria. (AP)

Israel doubts Syria has taken possession of Russian S-300 missiles, which reportedly may not reach the country until 2014. (Ha'aretz)

Reports of Russian weapons sales to Syria have increased tensions with Israel. (The Media Line)

PM Netanyahu says he wants to make sure every Israeli has a gas mask. (Times of Israel)

The captain of theChilean Soccer Team “C.D. Palestino” visits the Aida Refugee Camp in the occupied West Bank. (PNN)

Roger Waters and Alice Walker urge Alicia Keys not to perform in Israel. (The Guardian)

A symphony dedicated to two Palestinians killed in the occupied West Bank gets its first performance in Palestine. (Expatica)

The UN says a plague of locusts is threatening crops on the Israeli-Egyptian border. (Bloomberg)

COMMENTARY:

Hassan Khader says militias like Hezbollah spell the downfall of failed Arab states. (Modern Discussion, translated by ATFP)

The PLO issues a fact sheet called "Six Questions for Resuming Negotiations." (PNN)

Uri Misgav says those who are spearheading the occupation and the settlements will destroy Zionism. (Ha'aretz)

Amos Harel doubts if Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank can actually be evacuated. (Ha'aretz)

Yossi Sarid says it doesn't matter if Pres. Peres is internationally respected when Israel in general is a pariah. (Ha'aretz)

Maysoon Zayid says gambling tycoon Sheldon Adelson is getting a free pass on bigotry. (Daily Beast/Open Zion)

David Weinberg says Israel should not consider any unilateral redeployments in the occupied West Bank. (Jerusalem Post)

Gillian Slovo describes attending a literary festival in the occupied West Bank. (The Guardian)

Ron Kampeas looks at the unlikely friendship between the Zionist Organization of America and Sen. Rand Paul. (JTA)

The Gulf News condemns Israel's demolition of Palestinian homes. (Gulf News)

Shlomi Eldar says by drawing red lines on Iran it cannot keep, Israel is harming its credibility and deterrence capability. (Al Monitor) 

Sam Jadallah says a proposed new American law would countenance Israeli discrimination against Arab and Muslim Americans. (San Jose Mercury News)

NEWS:

Palestinian officials say Pres. Abbas is torn between accepting US peace talk proposals and a public backlash for dropping a settlement freeze precondition. (YNet/Times of Israel)

Palestinian officials say Israel is "destroying" Sec. Kerry's peace efforts with new settlement activity. (Xinhua/Times of Israel)

Other Palestinian officials say Kerry's prospects are dim if Israel continues settlement expansion. (Jerusalem Post)

Israeli officials say Palestinian leaders are "inventing excuses" to avoid resuming peace talks. (Ha'aretz)

Palestinian girls are pioneering new methods of resisting occupation without resorting to throwing stones. (NPR)

Reports suggest Hezbollah urges Hamas members and officials to "leave Lebanon immediately." (Middle East Online)

Hamas calls on Egypt to renegotiate elements of the peace treaty with Israel. (Al Monitor)

Israeli forces arrest 13 Palestinians in raids throughout occupied East Jerusalem. (Ma'an)

Israeli forces destroy Bedouin homes in the Negev desert for the second time in two weeks. (Ma'an)

France 2 hits back at the Israeli government after a new official report on the Mohammed al-Dura affair. (Ha'aretz)

Abbas signs a new law providing insurance for Palestinian bank deposits. (Bloomberg)

Arab firms vie for Gaza reconstruction projects launched and funded by Qatar. (Xinhua)

Palestinian refugees fleeing Syria find poor conditions in Lebanon. (New York Times)

When the Syrian government shells rebels, Israel goes on alertand pays close attention. (Reuters)

Israel says it is "checking" into reports that Syria received Russian S-300 missiles. (Reuters)

Pres. Assad implies the missiles have already been delivered. (AFP)

Israel and Greece are weighing establishing a group that would jointly handle regional emergencies. (Xinhua)

PM Netanyahu says he wants 10 million tourists to visit Israel in the next 10 years. (Xinhua)

An Israeli entrepreneur hopes that backpackers can be the bedrock of sustainable tourism. (Christian Science Monitor)

Palestinian trade with the rest of the world is held back by both self-imposed and Israeli restrictions. (The Guardian)

FIFA says it will negotiate ongoing disputes about football between Palestine and Israel. (Reuters)

Young Gazans are using skateboarding as a means of escapism. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Palestinian artist Bashir Makhoul explores his people's experience through his work. (Times Literary Supplement)

COMMENTARY:

Francis Matthew says Kerry's economic stimulus program for Palestine is no substitute for diplomatic progress. (Gulf News)

Gershon Baskin says Kerry's peace initiative can succeed despite doubters. (Jerusalem Post)

Brent Sasley says the Israeli public would follow its leaders in accepting a peace agreement with the Palestinians. (Daily Beast/Open Zion)

Aaron David Miller asks if peace conferences, whether involving Syria or Israel and the Palestinians, do more harm than good. (Los Angeles Times)

Oded Eran suggests alternative ways forward other than a two-state solution. (The National Interest)

Larry Derfner says casting equal blame on both sides merely strengthens the occupation. (+972)

Samuel Lebens says the quest for peace can be helped by empowering moderate settler leaders. (Daily Beast/Open Zion)

Ari Shavit says the gradual but growing US disengagement from the Middle East bodes ill, especially for the downtrodden. (Ha'aretz)

Ha'aretz says proposed new Israeli legislation is nothing short of apartheid against Arabs. (Ha'aretz)

Patrick Strickland says Syrians in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights are divided over attitudes towards the Assad regime. (Al Monitor)

Or Kashti says Israel's new education minister is taking a healthier attitude towards Arab education, and better policies must follow. ( Ha'aretz)

Gideon Levy says it's time to look at Ben Gurion's dark side. (Ha'aretz)

Lena Odgaard interviews Ihab al-Ghussein, head of Hamas' media office, who says reports of anti-westernization campaigns are "smears" against the group. (Al Monitor)

Khairallah Khairallah asks if Jordan is going to be able to revive the Palestinian cause. (Al Arabiya)

NEWS:

Israeli occupation forces demolish two Palestinian homes in occupied East Jerusalem. (Ma'an)

Israeli authorities open an investigation of police and border guards for allegedly abusing a Palestinian. (Xinhua)

Hamas angrily retorts to Pres. Abbas' recent speech by saying capturing Israeli soldiers is essential. (Times of Israel)

Hamas continues to function in the West Bank despite continued efforts to suppress its activities by the PA. (Reuters)

Israeli settlers torch Palestinian vehicles in the occupied West Bank. (Xinhua)

Israeli occupation forces arrest Hamas, Fatah and Islamic Jihad activists in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. (Ma'an)

Abbas commemorates the anniversary of the creation of the PLO. (Ma'an)

Israel's chief negotiator Livni says Abbas should be pressured to negotiate. (Jerusalem Post)

Former FM Lieberman takes the stand in his corruption trial. (Xinhua)

Muslim clerics visit Auschwitz and learn about the Holocaust firsthand. (The Forward)

A Dubai-based charity employs Palestinian women in the occupied territories making handcrafted clothing and fashion accessories. (The National)

COMMENTARY:

The New York Times says Israelis and Palestinians would be foolish to squander Kerry's "determined and encouraging" peacemaking efforts. (New York Times)

The ICG says Palestinian politics are transforming quickly, and need to be protected by immediate economic, security and diplomatic measures. (International Crisis Group)

Osama Al Sharif says it would be great for the US to help the Palestinians rebuild their economy, but if independence doesn't follow, then it's all a ruse. (Jordan Times)

Stephen Walt says, if Kerry is trying to bribe the Palestinians, it won't work. (Foreign Policy)

Zvi Bar'el says by presenting Abbas as a partner, Pres. Peres is challenging a major platform of Israeli propaganda. (Ha'aretz)

Ariela Ringel-Hoffman says the Israeli right can rely on Abbas to disprove Peres' assessment every time. (YNet)

Shlomi Eldar reiterates that a two-state solution is practically, but not at present politically, possible, but he has no idea what the alternative might be. (Al Monitor)

Adnan Abu Amer interviews jailed Fatah leader Marwan Barghouti. (Al Monitor)

The New York Times and the LA Times separately interview gambling mogul Sheldon Adelson, who is noted for his support of far right-wing Israeli causes. (New York Times/Los Angeles Times)

James Cartwright and Amos Yadlin say the US, not Israel, should launch any strike against Iranian nuclear facilities and explain how. (The Atlantic)

Carlo Strenger says Jewish identity is not racist or nationalist. (Ha'aretz)

Moshe Arens says Israel desperately needs to rethink its approach to its Bedouin citizens. (Ha'aretz)

Omar Shaban says the Palestinian Securities Exchange should be transformed from a private to a public company. (Al Monitor)

NEWS:

Sec. Kerry holds meetings with Israeli and Palestinian officials in Amman and may reveal a new initiative in coming weeks. (Jerusalem Post)

Senior Israeli negotiator Livni says some Israelis are using security as an excuse not to pursue peace. (Jerusalem Post)

A senior economic adviser to Pres. Abbas says the political climate is not appropriate for Kerry's plans to revive the Palestinian economy and says Palestinians won't make concessions for economic gains alone. (Ma'an)

Many Palestinians are leery of Kerry's focus on the economy and insist aid is no substitute for negotiations. (Christian Science Monitor/The National)

Palestinian officials complain that the US, UK and Arab states are trying to steamroll them into accepting Kerry's proposal for renewed negotiations. (Ha'aretz)

DM Yaalon says a shipment of Russian S-300 missiles has not left for Syria yet, but Israel may act if it does. (Reuters)

A senior Palestinian official criticizes the participation of Palestinian companies in a programming forum held in Israel. (Xinhua/Ma'an)

Religious Zionism is emerging as Israel's most powerful pressure group. (Ha'aretz)

Palestinian workers describe commuting to jobs in Israel as "torturous." (Ma'an)

Some American Jewish leaders are quietly concerned about proposals to arm Syrian rebels. (The Forward)

Israeli fashion designers are beginning to see advantages in manufacturing in the occupied West Bank. (Ha'aretz)

A group of prominent activists say UEFA should not allow Israel to host the European Under-21 finals next month, given its policies towards the Palestinians. (The Guardian)

Senior Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood figure El-Erian says Fatah is seeking to undermine security in Sinai. (Ahram Online)

A Palestinian singer from Gaza inches closer to winning this year's Arab Idol TV singing contest. (Washington Post)

COMMENTARY:

The National says the US plan to boost the Palestinian economy is vital. (The National)

David Horovitz says Kerry's economic proposal is "ridiculous." (Times of Israel)

Khaled Abu Toameh says Palestinians are complaining Kerry is trying to "bribe them" to "sell out." (Gatestone Institute)

David Ignatius examines Kerry's Middle East peace initiative. (Washington Post)

Akiva Eldar says a new poll suggests that if PM Netanyahu adopted the principles of the Arab Peace Initiative, most Israelis would back him. (Al Monitor)

S. Daniel Abraham says Steven Hawking's conference boycott was wrong but Israeli policies are self-destructive. (Ha'aretz)

Amira Hass says neither Israelis nor Palestinians want to be reminded how many of each other's children they have killed since 2000. (Ha'aretz)

Robert Menendez says Middle East turmoil will only strengthen the US-Israel alliance. (Ha'aretz)

Eyal Megged says, whether Israelis like it or not, Jerusalem is a divided city. (Ha'aretz)

Chris Gunness says recent attacks on UNRWA are ill-informed and wrong. (YNet)

Kenneth Bandler says Israeli-Palestinian high-tech cooperation could be very useful. (Jerusalem Post)

AP interviews Deputy FM Elkin, who says he's proud to be an Israeli settler in occupied Palestinian territories. (AP)