October 29th

NEWS:
 
The EU says its relations with Israel depend on the future of a two-state solution. (Ha'aretz)
 
PM Netanyahu dismisses US criticism of Israeli settlement activity. (YNet)
 
Israel's attorney general questions a ban on Palestinians on settler West Bank buses. (AP)
 
PM Hamdallah pays a rare visit to holy sites in occupied East Jerusalem 
and reiterates the city must serve as a Palestinian capital.
(Ha'aretz/AP)
 
Palestinians in Jerusalem say Israeli police are using right control for collective punishment. (Ha'aretz)
 
An AP photographer and freelancer are shot with rubber bullets by
Israeli border police. (AP)
 
Egypt is going to create a buffer zone along the Gaza border. (Ma'an)
 
Hamas insists it has no tunnels running into Egypt. (Times of Israel)
 
Egyptian reports say gunman who killed 30 Egyptian troops were trained in Gaza. (Times of Israel)
 
The PA transfers money to pay Hamas-hired Gaza public employees. (Ma'an)
 
Tunisia's largest secular party is set to win the country's new parliamentary elections. (AP)
 
PM Al-Abadi reportedly agrees on the creation of a 30,000-strong anti-ISIS militia force drawn from Sunni communities in Anbar province. (Asharq Al Awsat)
 
A British hostage is reportedly shown in a new ISIS video, purportedly
from the embattled town of Kobani. (New York Times)
 
A US official urges Arab allies to do more to combat ISIS propaganda. (AP)
 
The Pentagon says the battle against ISIS is now costing $8.3 million
a day. (Reuters)
 
Iraqi Kurdish fighters are joining the battle in Syria. (AP)
 
Turkish villages are sheltering Syrian Kurdish refugees. (AP)
 
35 are killed in clashes between Syrian rebels and government forces. (AP)
 
Hezbollah is under strain as it battles on multiple fronts, home and
abroad. (Washington Post)
 
Egypt grants the military new judicial powers over civilians. (Washington Post)
 
A court in Bahrain has reportedly issued an order suspending the work
of the country's largest Shiite opposition group. (AP)
 
COMMENTARY:
 
Robert Wade describes Israel's economic occupation of the West Bank as
"organized hypocrisy on a monumental scale." (London Review of Books)
 
Barak Ravid says PM Netanyahu has no strategy beyond slogans. (Ha'aretz)
 
Avi Issacharoff says, despite the evidence, Palestinians continue to
believe Hamas won this summer's war with Israel. (Times of Israel)
 
Christa Case Bryant says Israelis can expect to make progress with
Palestinians if they wall themselves off in a fortress. (Christian
Science Monitor)
 
Mohammed Samhouri looks at the challenges of rebuilding Gaza. (The Daily Star)
 
Hassan Barari asks whether Jordan has a "Plan B" beyond its peace
treaty in dealing with Israel. (Jordan Times)
 
Akiva Eldar says Israel should be sensitive to Jordan's concerns. (Al Monitor)
 
Hussein Ibish says Tunisia's new election shows the way forward in a
troubled Arab world. (NOW)

October 27th

News:

 

Israel is advancing plans to build 1000 new housing units in occupied East Jerusalem. (AP/New York Times/AFP/PNN/JTA/Ha’aretz)

 

Palestinian officials condemn Israel’s new settlement plans. (Ma’an/PNN/Times of Israel)

 

Jordanian Amb. to Israel Obeidat says Israel’s continued settlement expansioncould endanger the peace treaty between the two countries.  (Times of Israel/Reuters/Jordan Times)

 

Pres. Abbas urges the US to intervene before violence in Jerusalem spirals out of control. (Ha’aretz/Times of Israel/Ynet)

 

Clashes erupt between Palestinians and the Israeli military at the funeral of a teenage boy killed by Israeli troops. (AP/Ha’aretz)

 

Thousands of Palestinians attend the funeral of a 14-year-old Palestinian-American boy who was shot dead by Israeli forces. (Ma’an/Times of Israel)

 

A Palestinian official says indirect ceasefire talks with Israel have been postponeduntil the second half of November. (Ma’an/Times of Israel/The National)

 

Israel bans Palestinians from riding the same buses as Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank. (AFP/JTA/Jerusalem Post/The National)

 

Finance Minister Lapid says there is a crisis in the US-Israel relationship that must be fixed. (AP/Ynet)

 

Pres. Rivlin visits the site of a 1956 massacre as part of his outreach campaign to the country’s Arab minority. (AP/AFP/Ynet)

 

Spain’s Socialist party will propose a motion in Parliament to recognize the State of Palestine. (JTA)

 

Gen. Allen urges coalition partners to combat ISIS ideology. (AP)

 

Extremists from ISIS launch a new attack on the Syrian border town of Kobani. (AP)

 

The Nusra Front attack Syrian government forces in Idlib. (Reuters)

 

An American official says the US believes the Syrian rebels it is training will be part of a “political solution” to the conflict with the regime. (Reuters)

 

Iraqi troops retake control of Jurf al-Sakhar a Sunni town seized by ISIS. (AP/The National)
 

A suicide car bomber kills 11 people south of Baghdad. (AP)

 

ISIS’ beheading victims endured torture and other horrors during captivity. (New York Times)

 

Iraqi Christians seek refuge in Jordan. (New York Times)

 

Pres. Sisi orders the military to join the police forces in guarding state facilities against terror attacks. (AP/Washington Post) 

 

Sunni militants clash with the Lebanese army in Tripoli. (Washington Post/The National)

 

Initial results suggest a major victory for the leading Tunisian secular party, Nidaa Tounes, over Ennahda in new parliamentary elections. (Reuters) 

 

Commentary:

 

Hussein Ibish says Israel’s policies aren’t doing anything to forestall prospects for another intifada. (The National)

 

Shlomi Eldar says neglect and provocation are feeding unrest in occupied East Jerusalem. (Al-Monitor)

 

Rula Jebreal says Palestinian citizens of Israel face a daily battle against official discrimination and casual hatred. (New York Times)

 

The National asks why the PA was the silent about Israel’s decision to segregate buses in the occupied West Bank. (The National)

 

Ha’aretz says DM Ya’alon is kowtowing to the settlers at the expense of Israel’s international image. (Ha’aretz)

 

Chemi Shalev says the US is frustrated with Israel. (Ha’aretz)

 

J.J. Goldberg says Israel’s announcement of new settlements in occupied East Jerusalem is straining its relationship with the US. (Jewish Daily Forward)

 

Jonathan Cook says Israel is turning Gaza into a “super-max prison.” (The National)

 

Gideon Levy says Palestinians have a right and duty to resist Israeli occupation. (Ha’aretz)

 

Hilik Bar says Israel should recognize the State of Palestine. (Ha’aretz)

 

Ynet interviews Justice Minister and Israel’s Negotiator Livni. (Ynet)

 

Eitan Haber says, 20 years on, Israel-Jordan peace is still holding on. (Ynet)

 

Elhanan Miller says two decades after making peace with Israel, Jordan finds little to celebrate. (Times of Israel)

 

Mohammed Othman says artists in Gaza are expressing pain and suffering. (Al-Monitor)

 

Abdul Rahman Al Rashed looks at the idea of Arab military intervention in conflicts. (Asharq al-Awsat)

 

David Ignatius explains why Iraqi Sunnis are still surrendering to ISIS. (Daily Star)

 

Kate Brannen says ISIS is raising an army of child soldiers and the West could be fighting them for generations to come. (Foreign Policy)

 

Amir al-Islam says education represents the best way to defeat the evils of ISIS. (The National)

 

Raghida Dergham looks at Russia’s and China’s policies towards the Middle East. (Al Arabiya)

 

The Daily Star says the Lebanese army must find a new approach to Tripoli. (Daily Star)

October 24th

News:

Israeli forces and Palestinians clash across occupied East Jerusalem. (Ma’an/Times of Israel/Ynet/The Media Line)
 
Palestinian Chief Negotiator Erekat says the UNSC will be asked next month to establish November 2017 as the deadline for establishing a Palestinian state. (Jerusalem Post)
 
Israelis hold anti-Palestinian protests at the site of a deadly rail attack. (Ma’an)
 
PM Netanyahu vows to “return quiet and security” to Jerusalem. (Ha’aretz)
 
The State Department says US government personnel have been restricted from usingJerusalem Light Rail stations. (JTA)
 
A UN official says surveillance cameras will monitor Gaza reconstruction. (The Media Line)
 
The World Bank will allocate millions of dollars in emergency aid for Gaza. (Ma’an)
 
An Islamic Jihad leader says indirect ceasefire negotiations will resume on October 27. (Ma’an)
 
Israel’s plan to build 1600 new housing units in occupied East Jerusalem will reportedly move forward next week. (Ha’aretz)
 
Israeli authorities confiscate five acres of Palestinian land near the Jewish settlement bloc of Ariel in the northern West Bank. (Ma’an)
 
Israel’s Amb. to Jordan Nevo says King Abdullah’s criticism of Israel is caused by pressure by Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Egypt. (JTA)
 
DM Ya’alon says most Middle East borders are bound to change. (Ha’aretz)
 
American officials say Iraqi forces are months away from being able to start waging any kind of sustained ground offensive against ISIS. (Reuters/New York Times)
 
Iraqi officials say ISIS extremists used chlorine gas. (AP/New York Times/Washington Post)
 
The US says the Syrian border town of Kobani appears in less danger of falling to ISIS, but is still threatened. (Reuters)
 
Pres. Erdogan says he will allow the Free Syrian Army to send 1,300 fighters to Kobani. (AP) 
 
Smugglers are offering a passage from Turkey into Syria for $20. (AP)
 
Under Secretary Cohen says US-led airstrikes are cutting into ISIS oil revenues. (New York Times/The National)
 
The gunman who killed a soldier in Ottawa was reportedly planning to travel to Syria. (Reuters)
 
Lebanon announces it will not accept any additional refugees from Syria. (AP/Daily Star)
 
Tunisian security forces kill six people in a standoff with an Islamist militant group. (Reuters)
 
The US says Iran will be held responsible if nuclear talks fail. (Reuters)
 
Commentary:
 
Jeffrey Goldberg says Israel is choosing settlements over its friends. (Bloomberg)
 
AP interviews Israel’s mayor in Jerusalem Barkat. (AP)
 
Ha’aretz says force will not solve the problem of Jerusalem. (Ha’aretz)
 
Ben Caspit says Jerusalem is undergoing a “silent intifada.” (Al-Monitor)
 
Gad Lior says Jerusalem is more divided than ever. (Ynet)
 
Avi Issacharoff says Hamas is trying to spark an intifada in occupied East Jerusalem. (Times of Israel)
 
Mitch Ginsburg says instability in Jerusalem is in Hamas’ interests. (Times of Israel)
 
Brooklyn Middleton says if Jerusalem continues to see a rise in attacks and unrest, it is likely the ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas will fall apart. (Al Arabiya)
 
Grant Rumley says Palestinians are now committed to the internationalization of their strategy. (Ha’aretz)
 
Mohammed Othman says Gaza reconstruction efforts are overrun by “corruption and inefficiency.” (Al-Monitor)
 
The New York Times explains why Kobani must be saved. (New York Times)
 
David Ignatius says Iraq and the US are losing ground to ISIS. (Washington Post)
 
Amir Taheri says Syria remains at the center of the crisis shaking the political architecture of the Middle East. (Asharq al-Awsat)
 
Osman Mirghani asks if ISIS will prolong Pres. Assad’s rule. (Asharq al-Awsat)
 
Abdul Rahman Al Rashed analyses an ISIS video which shows a father stoning his daughter to death. (Al Arabiya)
 
H.A. Hellyer says Tunisians must uphold their values and solve their problems. (The National)
 
AP interviews Libyan FM Mohamed Dayri. (AP)

October 23rd

News:

A Palestinian slams his car into a train station in Jerusalem, killing a three-month old baby girl. (AP/New York Times/Washington Post/Ma’an/JTA/Ha’aretz)

The US and the international community condemn the rail attack in Jerusalem. (JTA/Times of Israel)

PM Netanyahu blames Pres. Abbas for the rail attack in Jerusalem. (JTA/Ynet)

DM Ya’alon says the PA has a culture of “incitement and jihad” against Jews. (Times of Israel)

Palestinian Chief Negotiator Erekat condemns “Netanyahu’s incitement” against Abbas. (PNN)

PA Spokesman Abu Rudeineh says Israeli incitement and occupation are to blame for the escalation of violence by Palestinians. (Ha’aretz)

A Palestinian child dies after touching unexploded Israeli ordnance left over from the most recent Gaza war. (Ma’an/PNN/Times of Israel)

Economy Minister Bennett tells Netanyahu to increase settlement building or he will destabilize the coalition. (Ha’aretz)

Renewed clashes break out between Palestinians and Israeli police in occupied East Jerusalem. (Ma’an/Ynet)

The Irish parliament calls on its government to recognize the State of Palestine. (Times of Israel)

Gaza reconstruction faces numerous obstacles. (AP)

Hamas leader Meshaal says Mohammed Deif is alive. (Ynet/Times of Israel)

Israeli occupation forces detain 17 Palestinians across the West Bank. (Ma’an)

Arab Idol winner Assaf will set up an arts center in Gaza to nurture young talent. (AP/Times of Israel)

A disabled Palestinian war photographer will now document his people’s culture and heritage. (AFP)

Kurdish lawmakers in Iraq authorize peshmerga forces to go to Syria to help fellow Kurds fight ISIS. (AP/Reuters/The National)

Pres. Erdogan says 200 Iraqi Kurdish fighters will enter Kobani through Turkey. (Reuters/Washington Post)

Syrian Kurdish factions sign a deal to share power and set rivalries aside to fight ISIS. (Reuters)

Syrian government forces intensify attacks on moderate rebels as others attack ISIS. (Washington Post)

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says the US-led coalition has killed more than 500 extremists and about 30 civilians. (AP/Reuters)

Germany says it will send a military training mission to northern Iraq. (New York Times)

A bomb outside Cairo University wounds 11 people. (Reuters/AP/The National)

China says it wants closer military ties with Iran. (Reuters)

Commentary:

Avi Issacharoff says Netanyahu’s rush to blame Abbas for the increased violence in Jerusalem is “disingenuous and irresponsible.” (Times of Israel)

Shimon Shiffer says the Israeli government must take responsibility for the Jerusalem rail attack. (Ynet)

Arthur Pacalet asks why young Israelis are leaving the country. (Ha’aretz)

The Jordan Times says the continuation of Israeli violations at the Haram Al Sharif compound could lead to “bloody” wars. (Jordan Times)

The Daily Star says everyone involved in the fight against ISIS has their own, self-motivated, reasons for doing so. (Daily Star)

Michael Jansen says Kobani is a key battle for the US-led coalition. (Jordan Times)

Hassan Hassan says the war in Syria cannot be won as long as the opposition continues to bicker. (The National)

Mohammed Fahad al-Harthi says Arab intellectuals have failed to stand up to ISIS. (Al Arabiya)

Rym Ghazal says the international community must help Syrian refugees. (The National)

Joyce Karam says the Ottawa shooting exemplifies the extremist “lone-wolf threat.” (Al Arabiya)

William Tobey says the Obama administration is going alone on Iran. (Foreign Policy)

October 22nd

News:
 
The EU is reportedly trying to establish with Israel its “red lines” regarding the occupation. (Ha’aretz)
 
Sec. Kerry says current relations between Israel and the Palestinians are "unsustainable." (Reuters/Jerusalem Post)
 
The UN is trying to solve the salary crisis in Gaza. (Ma’an)
 
UNSG Ban says an independent board will look at abuses against the UN during the last Gaza war. (JTA/AP)
 
Intelligence and Strategic Affairs Minister Steinitz says Israeli withdrawal from the occupied West Bank would be “suicide.” (Ha’aretz)
 
A Palestinian Minister says Gaza reconstruction will begin in November. (Ma’an)
 
Pres. Abbas is strengthening the law against Palestinians selling property in the occupied territories to Israelis. (Times of Israel))
 
Many Palestinians in the occupied West Bank are fearful of new settler attacks on theirolive groves. (Washington Post)
 
Israeli forces detain five Palestinian fishermen off the coast of Gaza. (Ma’an/Times of Israel/Jerusalem Post)
 
Jordan is attempting to prevent the ratification of a resolution in the Knesset to divide the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound between Muslims and Jews. (Ma’an/Ha’aretz/Times of Israel/Jordan Times)
 
Controversies surrounds the medical treatment of Hamas leader Haniyeh's daughter in Israel. (AP)
 
The Israeli military says two soldiers have been wounded by gunfire by unknown attackers from Egypt. (AP/Ma’an/JTA/Ha’aretz)
 
ISIS extremists seize US air dropped weapons intended for Kurds. (AP)
 
Pres. Erdogan says the American weapons airdrop in Kobani was wrong. (Reuters)
 
The Syrian air force claims to have destroyed two jets seized by ISIS. (AP/Reuters)
 
The Iraqi army clashes with ISIS extremists west of Baghdad. (Reuters)
 
Sunni tribes in Abu Ghraib vow to keep ISIS out. (AP)
 
An American official says the US may expand the training role of its military advisors in Iraq. (Reuters)
 
The Vicar of Baghdad White says nothing short of US ground troops will halt ISIS. (The Media Line)
 
Iraqi students return to school. (AP)
 
The FBI says three teenage girls from Denver may have been trying to join ISIS in Syria. (AP/New York Times)
 
Tunisians are the biggest group of foreign fighters in ISIS. (New York Times)
 
Sweden says 150 people have left the country to join ISIS. (AP)
 
The UN says ISIS may be “attempting genocide” against Yazidis. (Reuters/New York Times/The National)
 
Treasury Under Secretary David Cohen is leading the financial battle against ISIS. (New York Times)
 
A Saudi court sentences 13 suspected members of an al-Qaeda cell for plotting to attack American soldiers in Kuwait and Qatar. (Reuters)
 
Commentary:
 
Yossi Mekelberg says international donors must rebuild Gaza. (Al Arabiya)
 
Chris Doyle says the real fear for children in Gaza is that their rights are just a dream. (Al Arabiya)
 
Lior Amichai says there can be no two-state solution without a compromise on Jerusalem. (Ha’aretz)
 
Salman Mashalha says the west is also implicated in Israel’s occupation. (Ha’aretz)
 
Aaron David Miller says its wrong to blame ISIS’ rise on the US failure to secure a two-state solution. (Foreign Policy)
 
J.J. Goldberg looks at recent US-Israeli tensions. (Jewish Daily Forward)
 
Ben Caspit asks if Hezbollah is preparing a “large assault” against Israel. (Al-Monitor)
 
Rami Khouri looks at the underlying problems in the Arab world that caused the rise of ISIS. (Daily Star)
 
The Jordan Times says, for Jordan, the struggle against extremism is existential. (Jordan Times)
 
David Schenker says there's a disturbing degree of support in Jordan for ISIS. (New Republic)
 
The National says the Muslim Brotherhood has a deliberately “shrouded” history. (The National)
 
Mustafa Akyol says Turkey’s stance toward Syria’s Kurds needs a correction. (New York Times)
 
Caleb Lauer looks at Turkey’s “timid response” towards ISIS. (The National)
 
Osama Al Sharif says Iran is emerging as a regional superpower. (Jordan Times)

October 21st

News:

Pres. Abbas appears to be opting for rhetoric because he seem to lack other options on relations with Israel. (AP)

Chief Palestinian Negotiator Erekat says if a proposed UNSC resolution fails, Palestine will apply for membership in 522 international organizations and statutes. (Ma’an)

Israeli occupation forces demolish three Palestinian homes in East Jerusalem. (Ma’an)

Jewish extremist settlers construct two new wildcat outposts in the occupied West Bank. (Ma’an/PNN)

Hamas says Gaza ceasefire talks will resume in Cairo next week. (AFP/Ha’aretz/Times of Israel)

DM Ya’alon says Israel will not allow Gaza reconstruction if Hamas rebuilds tunnels. (Jerusalem Post)

The UN says Israel must uphold human rights law in its treatment of Palestinians. (Jerusalem Post)

Palestine’s UN Amb. Mansour sends a letter of complaint to the UNSC accusing a Jewish settler of killing a Palestinian schoolgirl.  (Times of Israel)

The US denies that the FBI withheld information on a missing Israeli soldier in the recent Gaza war. (Ha’aretz/Times of Israel)

Israeli occupation forces detain, handcuff and blindfold a disabled Palestinian child. (Times of Israel/PNN)

A mortar fired from Syria lands in the Golan Heights. (Ha’aretz/JTA)

Britain says it will send drones to fly surveillance missions in Syria. (Reuters/AP)

The US and Turkey are giving Syrian Kurds a boost in their fight against ISIS. (Washington Post)

ISIS is reportedly winning territory from Syrian government forces in the eastern city of Deir al-Zor. (Reuters)

The EU imposes sanctions on 12 Syrian government ministers, two senior officers and a UAE company, accused of helping to supply oil to Syria. (Reuters)

Pres. Rouhani promises Iran will stand by Iraq in the fight against ISIS. (AP)

Caritas says Iraqi refugees in Lebanon face a daily struggle to survive. (Reuters)

Pope Francis will visit Turkey. (Reuters)

PM Mehleb says Egypt has no plans for direct participation in the war against ISIS.  (Ynet)

King Abdullah of Jordan says the Middle East is threatened by both Jewish and Muslim extremists. (Ha’aretz/Times of Israel/Jordan Times)

Moody’s says Egypt’s political and security situation has stabilized, raising the country’s outlook from “negative to stable.” (AP)

Libya’s elected parliament declares a formal alliance with Gen. Haftar. (Reuters)

Commentary:

Ha’aretz says “Judaizing” occupied East Jerusalem could torpedo peace. (Ha’aretz)

Elhanan Miller asks if the PA could survive without the Israeli military. (Times of Israel)

Al-Monitor interviews Mustafa Barghouti. (Al-Monitor)

Akiva Eldar says PM Netanyahu mistakenly believes that a Republican Congress would pressure Pres. Obama to change his policy. (Al-Monitor)

Hassan Barari agrees with Sec. Kerry’s linkage between the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and extremism in the region. (Jordan Times)

Michael Weiss and Faysal Itani look at why pundits like Zakaria and Gelb are wrong about Syria. (Politico)

Diana Moukalled says the world is failing the Syrian people. (Al Arabiya)

Yusuf Sayman says Turkey is not abandoning the Syrian Kurds. (Foreign Policy)

The National says Tunisians should trust the power of the ballot box. (The National)

The IFES previews Tunisia’s upcoming parliamentary elections. (International Foundation for Electoral Systems)

H.A. Hellyer says the international community must help Libya become free, united and pluralistic. (Al Arabiya)

Vali Nasr says voting cycles in the US and Iran leave only a small window of opportunity for a nuclear deal. (New York Times)

October 20th

News:

Pres. Abbas says legal measures will be taken to prevent Jewish settlers from attacking the Al-Aqsa mosque (AP/Reuters/AFP/Ha’aretz)

 

Jewish settlers take over two buildings in occupied East Jerusalem. (AP/Ma’an/JTA/Times of Israel/Jerusalem Post)

 

Egypt invites Palestinian and Israeli officials to continue ceasefire talks. (PNN/Times of Israel)

 

A poll indicates 75% of Jewish Israelis oppose a Palestinian state based on the 1967 lines. (Ha’aretz/Jerusalem Post)

 

PLO Sec. Gen. Abed Rabbo supports Sec. Kerry’s linking the fight against ISIS terrorism to the end of the Israeli occupation. (Ynet)

 

A Palestinian official says Kerry’s efforts to restart negotiations will not stop them from seeking recognition at the UNSC. (The Media Line)

 

Israeli officials will testify before the UN in Geneva with regard to their military activities inGaza this summer. (Jerusalem Post)

 

The Palestinian Legislative Council will hold a session before November 15 to give a vote of confidence to the unity government. (Ma’an)

 

Hamas criticizes the PA for failing to begin Gaza reconstruction. (Ma’an/Times of Israel)

 

Hamas has reportedly said it has resumed digging tunnels throughout Gaza. (Ha’aretz/Times of Israel/Ynet)

 

A Palestinian official says PA forces regularly detain people in the occupied West Bank due to their political affiliations. (Ma’an)

 

Pres. Rivlin says violence is an “epidemic” in Israeli society. (JTA)

 

A five-year old Palestinian girl who was struck by an Israeli settler vehicle has died from her injuries. (Ma’an/JTA)

 

The daughter of Hamas leader Haniyeh is reportedly receiving medical treatment in Israel. (Reuters/JTA/Ha’aretz)

 

A Palestinian citizen of Israel, who worked as a doctor, is killed while fighting for ISIS. (JTA/Ynet)

 

Israel will supply gas to an Egyptian company. (Times of Israel)

 

Kerry says the US decided to airdrop weapons to Syrian Kurds fighting ISIS because it would be “irresponsible”and “morally very difficult” not to support them. (AP/New York Times)

 

Turkey says it will allow Iraqi Kurdish fighters to reinforce fellow Kurds in the Syrian border town of Kobani. (Reuters/AP/New York Times/The National)

 

Gen. Allen says military action alone is not sufficient in the fight against ISIS. (The National)

 

ISIS extremists continue their advance in Iraq’s Anbar province. (Washington Post)

 

Iraqi lawmakers approve PM al-Abadi’s remaining Cabinet nominees. (AP/New York Times/The National)

 

The UN says Iraqi authorities have executed at least 60 people so far in 2014. (AP/Reuters)

 

A car bombing in Karbala kills 16 people. (AP)

 

Pres. Obama will reportedly do everything in his power to avoid letting Congress vote on an Iran deal. (New York Times)

 

Commentary:

 

Oudeh Basharat says without a two-state solution there will be no peace between Israelis and Palestinians. (Ha’aretz)

 

Sever Plocker say Britain’s recognition of the State of Palestine is a pro-Israel move. (Ynet)

 

S. Daniel Abraham says within its current borders, Israel is not a Jewish state.(Ha’aretz)

 

Omar Shaban says donor pledges are not enough for the reconstruction of Gaza. (Al-Monitor)

 

Uri Savir says the Israeli-Palestinian conflict needs the Scandinavian experience at peacemaking and human rights.(Al-Monitor)

 

Hussein Ibish says it may take years but the tide is slowly beginning to turn against ISIS. (The National)

 

The National says cutting off ISIS’ sources of funding will be just as important as air strikes against their fighters. (The National)

 

Abdul Rahman Al Rashed says what’s happening in Syria and Iraq is not a psychological war. (Al Arabiya)

 

Rami Khouri says he is doubtful about Allen’s plans to develop from scratch new local ground units in Iraq and Syria to fight ISIS. (Daily Star)

 

Fareed Zakaria says Obama should contain ISIS, not escalate against it. (Daily Star)

 

Raghida Dergham says the anti-ISIS coalition members have conflicting priorities. (Al Arabiya)

 

Wafiq Al-Samarrai asks what went wrong in Kobani. (Asharq al-Awsat)

 

Collin Randall looks at why the word “Daesh” disturbs extremists. (The National)

 

Yuval Steinitz says the US should not make a bad deal with Iran. (New York Times)

October 17th

News:

A 13-year old Palestinian boy is killed by Israeli soldiers during a clash in the occupiedWest Bank. (AP/New York Times/Ma’an/PNN/JTA/Ha’aretz)
 
Pres. Abbas vows to keep peace in Gaza until the end of 2015. (Ma’an/Ha’aretz/Jerusalem Post)
 
Sec. Kerry calls for a resumption of the Israel-Palestinian peace process. (AFP/Ha’aretz)
 
Israeli ministers criticize Kerry for tying the rise of ISIS to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. (Ha’aretz/Jerusalem Post)
 
The PLO will reportedly submit a draft resolution to the UNSC demanding the end of Israel's occupation by the end of October. (Ma’an/Ha’aretz/Times of Israel)
 
Spain will soon hold a vote on the recognition of the State of Palestine. (Ha’aretz/Times of Israel/Jerusalem Post)
 
An American official says the Middle East Quartet will meet in Brussels next week. (Reuters)
 
Hamas organizes a march in Gaza to call attention to what it sees as threats to the Al-Asqa Mosque in Jerusalem. (Ma’an/Reuters)
 
A study indicates over 80% of Palestinian reporters self-censor. (Times of Israel)
 
Kurdish fighters are sharing information with the US-led coalition to coordinate strikes against ISIS extremists in the Syrian border town of Kobani. (AP)
 
The city of Kobani is the key to US strategy against ISIS. (AP/New York Times)
 
For the first time the State Department holds direct talks with the embattled Syrian Kurds. (Reuters)
 
The US is reportedly searching for credible allies on the ground in Syria. (AP)
 
Iraqi pilots who have reportedly joined ISIS in Syria are training members of the group to fly in three captured fighter jets. (Reuters)
 
Britain may use a medieval law dating to 1351 to charge citizens with treason if they go to fight with ISIS. (Reuters)
 
Turkey fails in its effort to join the UN Security Council. (AP)
 
Commentary:
 
Abdallah Schleifer says the Gaza reconstruction conference in Cairo reasserted Pres. Sisi’s regional role. (Al Arabiya)
 
Ben Caspit looks at Kerry’s three Israel-Palestine diplomatic options. (Al-Monitor) 
 
Shlomi Eldar asks if Israel has accepted the new Palestinian unity government. (Al-Monitor)
 
Asmaa al-Ghoul looks at what it’s like to be a fighter for Hamas. (Al-Monitor)
 
H.A. Hellyer says Alan Duncan’s speech on Israel is significant for the UK. (The National)
 
The New York Times asks experts if nations should recognize the State of Palestine. (New York Times)
 
The Jordan Times says sooner or later the US-led coalition against ISIS will have to deploy ground troops. (Jordan Times)
 
Alan Philps says if the US wants to defeat ISIS, it must start talking to Iran. (The National)
 
The National says Gen. Haftar exemplifies Libya’s failed hopes. (The National)
 
Sinem Cengiz says Turkey is challenged on multiple fronts. (Al Arabiya)
 
Amir Taheri says Iran is playing a dangerous game in Yemen. (Asharq al-Awsat)

October 16th

News:
 
PM Hamdallah tells an IMF delegation that the reconstruction of Gaza cannot take place if Israel's blockade continues. (Ma’an/Jerusalem Post)
 
Hamas leader Abu Marzouk says indirect ceasefire talks between Hamas and Israel will resume at the end of October. (Ynet)
 
The New York Times looks at Jewish settlement activity in occupied East Jerusalem is raising tensions. (New York Times)
 
Israeli authorities prevent exporting Gaza products to the occupied West Bank. (Ma’an)
 
PA security forces kill a Palestinian man in Hebron during a raid in the occupied West Bank. (Ma’an)
 
Gen. Allen says the US is bombing ISIS targets in Kobani for humanitarian purposes. (Reuters/Washington Post)
 
A Syrian Kurdish official calls on the international community to allow weapons into the border town of Kobani. (AP)
 
Syrian Kurds are giving the US target coordinates to try to halt an ISIS assault in Kobani. (Reuters/New York Times)
 
The Pentagon says US-led airstrikes have killed several hundred ISIS fighters around the Syrian town of Kobani. (Reuters)
 
PM al-Abadi is facing a war against ISIS and is also battling critics in his own party. (New York Times)
 
ISIS is nearing a strategic town about 25 miles west of Baghdad. (New York Times/Washington Post)
 
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid al-Hussein compares the ebola outbreak and ISIS by labelling them “twin plagues.” (AP/Times of Israel)
 
A suicide attack in Baghdad kills at least eight people. (AP)
 
Egyptian warplanes reportedly hit Libyan militias. (AP/The National)
 
FM Zarif says international nuclear talks in Vienna with representatives of the P5+1 were difficult but progress has been made. (Times of Israel)
 
Commentary:
 
Matthew Levitt, Oula Abdulhamid Alrifai and Kelsey Segawa say Hamas is going through a “rough patch.” (The Hill)
 
Danny Danon says Palestinian “lawfare” will backfire. (JTA)
 
David Pollock says Egyptians, Saudis and Lebanese overwhelmingly reject both ISIS and the US. (Times of Israel)
 
Mohamad Bazzi says the tribal system is Iraq’s key asset in the fight against ISIS. (The National)
 
The National says hunger is the latest effect of Pres. Assad’s war. (The National)
 
The New York Times says the Pentagon allowed highly dangerous chemical weapons to be left behind in Iraq. (New York Times)
 
Joyce Karam says the buildup of militias will be a threat even after ISIS is defeated. (Al Arabiya)
 
Eyad Abu Shakra says the US has no genuine comprehensive strategy for the Middle East.   (Asharq al-Awsat)

October 15th

News:
 
Sec. Kerry urges PM Netanyahu to resume negotiations with the Palestinians on the basis of the 1967 lines with territorial swaps. (Ha’aretz/Times of Israel)
 
UNSG Ban calls for an independent probe into Israel’s shelling of a school during the recent Gaza war. (AFP/Times of Israel)
 
Hamas calls upon international officials who visit Gaza to take “serious actions” to end the suffering of Gazans. (Ma’an)
 
France says any recognition of Palestine as a state must be “helpful to peace,” and not just symbolic. (AFP/Ha’aretz/Reuters) 
 
An Israeli official says the EU is formulating a policy to undermine Israel’s settlement enterprise. (Ynet)
 
FM Shukri says Israel was excluded from the Gaza donor conference in Cairo because the participating countries did not want it there. (Times of Israel)
 
The PLO Amb. to the Netherlands Abuznaid says he hopes to avoid taking Israel to the ICC. (Ha’aretz)
 
The EU and the PA sign a new multi-annual programming document. (PNN)
 
Palestinians clash with Israeli police at the Al-Aqsa Mosque. (Ma’an/JTA/Ynet)
 
Jewish extremist settlers damage Palestinian wells in the Jordan Valley. (Ma’an)
 
A survey indicates a growing number of Americans favor ground troops to fight ISIS. (AFP)
 
US-led forces intensify airstrikes against ISIS extremists on the Syrian-Turkish border. (Reuters)
 
Turkish warplanes hit Kurdish rebels, complicating the US-led fight against ISIS. (Washington Post)
 
Syrian Kurds are forcing hundreds of young men to join their army. (AP)
 
The US and Russia vow to share intelligence on ISIS extremists. (AP)
 
A Syrian lawmaker is assassinated in the central province of Hama. (AP)
 
An ISIS suicide bomber hits Baghdad, killing 24 people. (New York Times)
 
The New York Times looks at the casualties of Iraq’s abandoned chemical weapons. (New York Times)
 
The US says a deal on Iran's nuclear program is still possible by late next month. (Reuters)
 
A Saudi judge sentences to death a prominent cleric who has called for greater rights for the kingdom's Shi'ites. (Reuters)
 
Gen. Haftar launches a new campaign to retake Benghazi. (The National)
 
Commentary:
 

Hussein Ibish describes the three-way Israeli-Palestinian impasse. (Now)

 
The New York Times says Britain’s Palestine vote is an important message for Israel. (New York Times)
 
The National says Britain’s recognition of the State of Palestine shows global opinion is far more powerful than rockets. (The National)
 
The Jordan Times welcomes Sweden’s and Britain’s intentions of recognizing the State of the Palestine. (Jordan Times) 
 
Chris Doyle says the British parliament voted for an Israeli policy change when recognizing the State of Palestine. (Al Arabiya)
 
Lars Faaborg-Andersen says “quiet for quiet” will not stop the next Gaza war. (Ha’aretz)
 
Avi Issacharoff says Hamas is determined to retain Gaza. (Times of Israel)
 
Rami Khouri says Palestinian refugees must be integrated into the political decision-making system. (Daily Star)
 
Ron Kampeas profiles former AP Gaza reporter Ibrahim Barzak. (JTA)
 
Ha’aretz interviews DM Ya’alon. (Ha’aretz)
 
Sholto Byrnes says the region must the lead the way in the fight against ISIS. (The National)
 
Abdul Rahman Al Rashed says Sunni governments in the Arab world might face a post-ISIS crisis. (Al Arabiya)
 
David Ignatius says Pres. Obama is facing growing pressure to escalate in Iraq and Syria. (Washington Post)
 
Miriam Awadallah says the wholesale sexual slavery of Yazidi girls by ISIS is abhorrent. (Annahar)
 
Diana Moukalled says Hezbollah’s “battle-scarred image” is being shaken in Syria. (Al Arabiya)
 
Thomas Friedman asks if there is an oil war between the US and Saudi Arabia against Russia and Iran. (New York Times)

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