News:

Pres. Abbas will push for a UN Security Council vote this week on a resolution setting a November 2016 deadline for ending the Israeli occupation. (AP/AFP/PNN/Ha’aretz/Times of Israel)

Sec. Kerry and PM Netanyahu will meet in Rome to discuss the Palestinian UN statehood bid. (Reuters/New York Times)

Netanyahu says he rejects the Palestinian UN bid. (AFP/Ha’aretz/Times of Israel) 

Abbas says the main concern of the Palestinian government is the reconstruction of Gaza. (Ma’an)

The population of Jewish settlers in the occupied West Bank has surged during Netanyahu's years in office. (AP/The National)

Portugal’s Parliament passes a non-binding resolution calling for recognition of Palestine. (JTA)

Former American Amb. Kurtzer says the US should ignore Israeli elections and submit a plan for Israeli-Palestinian peace. (Ha’aretz)

Three Israelis are charged with torching an Arab-Jewish school in Jerusalem.(Reuters/Ynet/Jerusalem Post)\

Israeli police says a fire at a West Bank mosque last month was most likely caused by an electrical fault and not the result of arson. (New York Times)

Israel will demolish the home of Mutaz Hijazi, who attempted to assassinate Israeli far-right activist Yehuda Glick. (Ma’an)

Israeli occupation forces detain 13 Palestinians in the occupied territories. (Ma’an)

Hamas flies a drone over Gaza during its anniversary parade. (AFP/Ha’aretz/Times of Israel)

Israel’s Shin Bet thwarts an alleged planned suicide bomb attack in Tel Aviv. (JTA/Ha’aretz/Times of Israel)

The EU backs a UN plan for a truce in the northern Syrian city of Aleppo. (Reuters)

The Syrian army recaptures territory north of Aleppo. (Reuters)

Reuters looks at the challenges facing PM al-Abadi. (Reuters)

ISIS extremists shoot down an Iraqi military helicopter. (AP)

The New York Times looks at how ISIS’  has exerted control over schools and other aspects of society while doing little to provide services in Mosul. (New York Times)

Saudi Prince bin Talal’s pan-Arab news channel Alarab will go live in February. (AP)

Turkish police conduct raids in a dozen cities, arresting journalists and police. (AP/The National)

Egypt denies entry to former American official and Carnegie analyst Michelle Dunne. (New York Times/Washington Post)

The Egyptian gay community suffers a crackdown under Pres. Sissi. (Washington Post) 

Commentary:

Vincent Fean says Israel should see European support for Palestinian statehood as a step toward a peace deal, not a threat. (New York Times)

Avi Issacharoff says the PA is trying to play chess against Netanyahu and the US. (Times of Israel)

Ha’aretz says the US has made it clear that “rhetorical juggling and slogans” are no longer enough to save Israel from the Palestinian initiative. (Ha’aretz)

The Daily Star says US credibility is on the line with regards to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. (Daily Star)

Amos Harel says Palestinian-Israeli security coordination is a “win-win” situation for both. (Ha’aretz)

The Times of Israel interviews former Mossad chief Efraim Halevy. (Times of Israel)

Uri Savir says, until the Israeli elections, the US and Europe will attempt to balance nonintervention and expressing policy positions relevant to the Palestinian issue. (Al-Monitor)

The Washington Post says a war authorization against ISIS should be Congress’s priority. (Washington Post)

The National says more must be done for helpless Syrian refugees. (The National)

Abdul Rahman Al Rashed looks at the recent American plan to train the Syrian opposition against the Assad regime. (Al Arabiya)

Osman Mirghani says Egypt is facing a war on multiple fronts. (Asharq al-Awsat)

H.A. Hellyer looks at the consequences for Egypt for refusing to allow Dunne to enter the country. (Al Arabiya)

Bel Trew says Egypt's new regime is cracking down on the gay community -- with a little help from the media. (Foreign Policy)

Rami Khouri asks if the Middle East can debate torture. (Daily Star)