News:

Pres. Abbas says he wants more negotiations over a proposed Palestinian UN initiative. (AP)

The US says it is prepared to veto the draft Palestinian resolution. (AP)

PM Netanyahu criticizes Abbas over the UN initiative, and FM Lieberman calls it an act of "aggression." (Xinhua)

Netanyahu says PA policy may lead to Hamas' takeover of the West Bank. (Times of Israel)

Palestinian factions meet in Gaza, as thousands march in support of former Fatah leader Dahlan. (Ma'an)

Hamas may be increasing its military preparations. (Ha'aretz/YNet)

The CSM profiles Palestinian peace activist Aziz Abu Sarah. (Christian Science Monitor)

A new poll suggests most Israelis don't want Netanyahu to continue as PM. (Ha'aretz)

The UN seeks to raise billions of dollars for Syrian refugees. (New York Times/Reuters)

Syrian newborns in Lebanon are at risk for stateless status. (AP)

Syrian government forces besiege rebel groups in Aleppo. (Xinhua)

A mass grave, attributed to ISIS extremists, is uncovered in Syria. (Los Angeles Times)

Kurdish forces, backed by US air power, make gains against ISIS extremists. (New York Times)

Two senior ISIS leaders are killed as more US troops head for Iraq. (AP)

The United States delays release of a report on its role in the 1953 Iranian coup. (AP)

Saudi Arabia says its oil decisions are not linked to politics. (AP)

Pakistan says it killed 32 militants in an ambush. (Reuters)

Yemeni women fear newly empowered Houthi forces are restricting freedoms. (Reuters)

News:

Jordan formally submits to the UNSC a draft resolution calling for an end to Israel’s occupation by the end of 2017. (Reuters/AP/New York
Times/AFP/PNN/JTA/Ha’aretz)

Text of the UNSC draft resolution is released. (Ha’aretz)

Pres. Abbas says he supports further negotiations over the UN draft resolution. (AP/Times of Israel)

FM Lieberman calls the UN Palestinian resolution a “gimmick.” (Reuters/Ha’aretz)

Economy Minister Bennett says Palestinians’ behavior shows they’re “not worthy of a state.” (Jerusalem Post)

EU Foreign Policy Chief Mogherini says Hamas must remain on the terror list. (Times of Israel)

Israeli occupation forces shoot and injure a Palestinian man near Nablus. (Ma’an)

The New York Times looks at why Israeli border police are increasingly becoming the focus of anger. (New York Times)

Israeli naval forces open fire at fishing boats off the coast of Gaza. (Ma’an)

As US fighter jets strike ISIS targets in Syria, Washington's coalition allies appear increasingly absent from the air war.
(Reuters)

The US is penalizing companies for providing fuel to Syrian forces.
(New York Times)

PM al-Abadi orders the withdrawal of all government lawsuits against journalists and media outlets. (AP)

A new constituency law in Egypt sets stage for the long-awaited parliamentary elections. (Reuters)

Commentary:

Mariam Barghouti says a cab ride around Ramallah  reveals a depressed and resentful people. (New York Times)

Raed Omari says Palestinians should postpone their bid at the UN. (Al Arabiya)

Gideon Levy says the US must support the French resolution to the UNSC to bring about an end to the occupation within two years. (Ha’aretz)

Yossi Shain asks if the US will veto the UN Palestinian resolution. (Ynet)

The Daily Star says Sec. Kerry should ensure Israelis recognize and respect international law. (Daily Star)

Don Futterman says Israel should recognize a Palestinian state. (Ha’aretz)

Eytan Gilboa says an American intervention in Israeli elections will achieve the opposite result. (Ynet)

Ha’aretz says DM Ya’alon’s recent statements and decisions prove he is not fit to serve as defense minister. (Ha’aretz)

Asmaa al-Ghoul asks who is targeting the French cultural center in Gaza. (Al-Monitor)

Elizabeth Dickinson asks what happened to Arab liberalism after the Arab Spring. (Politico)

Eyad Abu Shakra looks at the plan for Syria by UN Envoy de Mistura.
(Asharq al-Awsat)

Vali Nasr says a nuclear deal with Iran is the key to an American strategy to resolve the region’s rivalries. (New York Times)

Joyce Karam says Iran is unlikely to be "another Cuba" for Pres. Obama.
(Al Arabiya)

Miriam Awadallah profiles Syrian-American composer Malek Jandali. (Annahar)

News:

FM al-Maliki says an Arab-backed draft resolution on ending Israel's occupation will be submitted later today to the UNSC for a vote. (AP/AFP)

Sec. Kerry reportedly told the Palestinians the US will veto the Palestinian UN resolution. (Ynet)

Kerry says the US is seeking to “carefully calibrate” steps on Palestine’s UN bid. (AFP/JTA/Ha’aretz/The National)

The European Parliament passes a resolution supporting the recognition of the State of Palestine. (AP/Ma’an/PNN/Ha’aretz/Times of Israel)

An EU court orders the removal of Hamas from its terrorist list. (AP/New York Times/PNN/JTA/Ha’aretz) 

PM Netanyahu demands EU immediately restore Hamas to its terrorism blacklist. (AFP/Times of Israel/Jerusalem Post) 

Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention say international humanitarian law must be followed in areas affected by the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians. (AP)

A poll indicates two thirds of Palestinians are afraid to criticize Pres. Abbas. (AP/Times of Israel)

Israeli occupation forces detain eight Palestinians in East Jerusalem. (Ma’an)

The New York Times looks at Israel’s crackdown on Lehava, a group tied to anti-Arab acts. (New York Times)

The Palestinian boycott of Israeli goods is reportedly faltering. (The Media Line)

Iraqi Kurdish forces launch an operation to retake the town of Sinjar. (Reuters/AP)

Germany will send 100 troops to Erbil to train the Iraqi Kurdish forces against ISIS. (AP)

A Chinese newspaper says about 300 Chinese people are fighting alongside ISIS in Iraq and Syria. (Reuters)

Iraq has requested a one-year deferral of $4.6 billion on Gulf War reparations. (Reuters) 

Iran says it backs Russia’s efforts to host a new round of peace talks between Damascus and the Syrian opposition. (Reuters)

Pres. Erdogan says the EU cannot give a “democracy lesson” to Turkey. (AFP)

Commentary:

Matthew Levitt looks at the decision by an EU court to annul Hamas’ terrorist designation. (WINEP)

Peter Beinart says why asking the UN to endorse a Palestinian state is more unilateral than building settlements. (Ha’aretz)

The Jordan Times says Netanyahu continues to show “blatant disregard” for the mandate of the UN and for international law. (Jordan Times)

Osama Al Sharif looks at the Palestinians’ bid at the UN Security Council. (Jordan Times)

Ben Caspit says the US will veto a Palestinian UN bid. (Al-Monitor)

Ahmad Melhem says the PA was all talk and no action on Abu Ein’s death. (Al-Monitor)

Thomas Friedman explains why Israel’s next election matters. (New York Times)

Ron Kampeas asks if Jewish American groups will “pivot” to the left if Labor Party leader Herzog wins. (JTA

Chemi Shalev offers a “sneak peak” at the results for the next Israeli election. (Ha’aretz)

Hassan Hassan looks at the potency of the Syrian jihad’s message around the world and online. (Foreign Policy)

Taylor Luck says Iraq’s Sunni tribes need support from Washington. (The National)

Michael Young says the discussion on Arab democratisation has come a full circle. (The National)

Abdul Rahman Al Rashed says the Russians will not let go of Pres. Assad. (Al Arabiya)

Raghida Dergham says the GCC has not fragmented. (Al Arabiya) 

News:

FM al-Maliki says the PA may submit a French initiative to the UN on ending Israel's occupation. (Ma’an/Times of Israel)

The PA reportedly does not have the majority needed to approve a UN Security Council resolution. (JTA/Ha’aretz)

Sec. Kerry meets with Palestinian Chief Negotiator Erekat in London. (AFP/Ha’aretz/Jerusalem Post)

PM Netanyahu and former Pres. Peres ask Pres. Hollande and FM Fabius to delay any UN resolution on Mideast peace. (Ha’aretz)

Netanyahu says European support for Palestinians “endangers Israel.” (Ynet)

Israeli occupation forces kill a Palestinian man during an arrest raid in a refugee camp in the occupied West Bank. (Reuters/AP/Ma’an/JTA/Times of Israel)

Palestine’s UN Amb. Mansour makes his first address to the ICC. (AFP)

Kerry says no one should interfere in Israeli elections. (AP)

Hamas leader Meshaal says Palestinian reconciliation progress is not “satisfying.” (Ma’an)

A poll indicates most Israelis see a crisis in US-Israel relations. (JTA)

An Israeli official says an exercise meant to test an advanced missile defense systemdeveloped with the US has failed. (AP/Ha’aretz)

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says  around 100 Syrian soldiers and 80 Islamist fighters were killed during a two-day battle. (Reuters/New York Times)

FM Lavrov says Russia is “optimistic” on Syria peace talks early next year. (Reuters)

Iraq’s government withholds salaries to “ghost soldiers.” (The National)

Spain arrests seven men accused of recruiting women for ISIS. (Reuters)

France arrests 10 people in a series of raids aimed at dismantling a recruitment and transportation network for would-be jihadists wanting to reach Syria. (New York Times)

Iran says bilateral nuclear talks with the US were proceeding in a “good atmosphere.” (Reuters)

Commentary:

Aaron David Miller asks if Pres. Obama and Kerry should try to shape the next Israeli elections. (Foreign Policy)

Akiva Eldar says Europeans are changing the rules of the game on Israeli-Palestinian peace. (Al-Monitor)

Raphael Ahren says the European UN proposal will probably include a reference to Israel as a “Jewish state.” (Times of Israel)

Salman Masalha calls on Palestinian citizens of Israel to boycott the elections. (Ha’aretz)

The Jewish Daily Forward looks at who earns what at America’s biggest Jewish non-profits. (Jewish Daily Forward)

The New York Times says Egypt could receive $1.3 billion in American military aid regardless of whether its government continues with its authoritarian ways. (New York Times)

Ranj Alaaldin says Iraq’s peshmerga must be unified. (New York Times)

Hussein Shobokshi says dealing with Syrian refugees is not a political issue but a moral, humanitarian, and social one. (Asharq al-Awsat)

Khaled Almaeena says Saudi Arabia’s new Cabinet ministers must lead
from the front. (Al Arabiya)

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)

News:

A Palestinian man wounds five Israelis in an apparent acid attack in the occupied West Bank. (Reuters/AP/Ma’an/JTA/Ha’aretz/Times of Israel)

Chief Negotiator Erekat says the PA may halt security coordination with Israel. (Ma’an/Times of Israel)

FM Liberman accuses Pres. Abbas of using Abu Ein’s death to “incite and fan the flames.” (Jerusalem Post)

Abbas says he supports Egypt’s crackdown on Gaza smuggling tunnels. (AFP)

Israeli occupation forces detain 20 Palestinians in the occupied territories. (Ma’an)

PM Netanyahu accuses the Israeli media of waging a purposeful campaign against him. (JTA)

Pres. Sisi meets with King Abdullah of Jordan in Amman. (Ma’an/Jerusalem Post/Jordan Times)

The EU bans the export of jet fuel to Syria. (Reuters)

An ISIS suicide bomber detonates a tank at a Syrian air base in the province of Deir al-Zor. (Reuters)

Sen. Levin releases new information that he claims is evidence that the Bush administration misled the nation in the run-up to the war in Iraq. (AP)

Saudi Arabia arrests three men suspected of having ties to ISIS. (New York Times) 

Commentary:

Avi Issacharoff says Abbas will convene his advisers to discuss suspending security ties with Israel next week. (Times of Israel)

Elior Levy says Israel-Palestinian security cooperation is not in danger. (Ynet)

Ben Sales asks if Israel is responsible for Abu Ein’s death. (JTA)

Barak Ravid says Netanyahu longs for an American intervention in Israeli elections. (Ha’aretz)

Israel Harel says Israeli Justice Minister Livni will destroy opposition leader Herzog. (Ha’aretz)

Yoel Marcus says “booting Netanyahu” from power is a national interest, and now it’s in the hands of Herzog and Livni. (Ha’aretz)

J.J. Goldberg explains how Netanyahu could win Israel’s next elections. (Jewish Daily Forward)

George Hishmeh looks at the next step for Israelis. (Jordan Times)

Ahmad Majdoubeh looks at creative ideas for peacemaking between Israelis and Palestinians. (Jordan Times)

Marco Rubio says Congress must enable Pres. Obama to stop ISIS. (Washington Post)

Fareed Zakaria says the release of the CIA torture report strengthens America. (Washington Post)

The Daily Star says Middle Easterners are not horrified by the CIA torture report. (Daily Star)

The National says the GCC has finally achieved unity. (The National)

News:

Israeli and Palestinian pathologists disagree over what killed Palestinian official Abu Ein. (AP/New York Times/Washington Post/Ma’an/PNN/Ha’aretz/Times of Israel)

Thousands of Palestinians attend Abu Ein’s funeral. (Reuters/Ma’an/Ha’aretz) 

Pres. Abbas says all options to respond to the killing of Abu Ein are up for debate. (Ma’an)

The PA may be considering freezing security cooperation with Israel. (Times of Israel)

PM Netanyahu assures the PA that Israel will investigate the death of Abu Ein. (JTA)

DM Ya’alon expresses “regret” over the death of Abu Ein. (AFP)

The US, EU and UN call on Israel to conduct a "swift and transparent investigation" into the death of Abu Ein. (Ha’aretz/Times of Israel)

Switzerland will convene state parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to discuss the Israeli occupation. (Ha’aretz)

France’s Senate approves a resolution asking the government to recognize the State of Palestine. (AP)

Israel criticizes the decision of the Irish parliament to adopt a non-binding resolutionsupporting an independent Palestinian state. (AP/AFP/PNN/JTA)

The Danish Parliament will debate a motion calling for the recognition of the State of Palestine. (Ma’an)

The State Department tells Ya’alon that American opposition to the settlements in occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem will outlast Pres. Obama. (Jerusalem Post)

UN Middle East Peace Envoy Serry arrives in Gaza to meet with Palestinian officials and Hamas leaders. (Ma’an)

The Shin Bet says members of the Lehava group have confessed to the arson attack against the Hebrew-Arabic Jerusalem school. (Jerusalem Post)

A poll suggests 63% of Israelis favor peace talks with the Palestinians. (Ha’aretz/Ynet)

Israeli Justice Minister Livni and Opposition Leader Herzog join forces against Netanyahu for the upcoming election. (AP/New York Times/JTA/Ha’aretz)

Israeli Finance Minister Lapid says Israel should approach the Arab League for a regional agreement. (Times of Israel/Jerusalem Post)

A New York judge says the Arab Bank must face a civil suit in May over Hamas attacks. (Reuters/Ha’aretz)

Moderate Syrian rebels forge a joint defense pact to help shield them from government forces and ISIS. (Reuters)

Commentary:

The Daily Star says the death of Abu Ein must provoke an international reaction. (Daily Star)

Amos Harel says this is a critical moment for Israeli-Palestinian security coordination. (Ha’aretz)

Akiva Eldar says Economy Minister Bennett is a “divider not a uniter” for Israel. (Al-Monitor)

Ori Nir says during this election season, Jewish Americans have a chance to speak up publicly to support those in Israel who share their values and vision. (Ha’aretz)

Matthew Duss asks if Europe can stop Israel from electing another right-wing government. (Foreign Policy)

The New York Times says any use-of-force authorization must be accompanied by a thorough debate about American policy toward ISIS. (New York Times)

Michael Young says the indifference shown for the plight of Syrian refugees is a “moral deficiency.” (Daily Star)

Alan Philps says the CIA is a central part of the US establishment, even if it seems like it should be on the back foot over the senate report on torture. (The National)

Joyce Karam says the CIA torture report further damages an already “teetering US credibility and moral standing” in the Middle East. (Al Arabiya)

Abdul Rahman Al Rashed asks if Chicago is a more dangerous city for a Saudi student than Riyadh. (Al Arabiya)

News:

Palestinian official Abu Ein dies shortly after an altercation with an Israeli border police in theoccupied West Bank. (Reuters/AP/New York Times/Washington Post/Ma’an/JTA) 

Pres. Abbas declares three days of mourning for the death of Abu Ein. (Ma’an/PNN)

The PA will halt security coordination with Israel following the death of Abu Ein. (Times of Israel)

Chief Negotiator Erekat says Palestine is seeking a UN resolution to set a timetable for ending the occupation. (AFP/PNN/Ynet)

PM Netanyahu and Sec. Kerry will meet. (Ha’aretz/Ynet)

Kerry says Obama administration remains committed to growing the Palestinian economy, even in the absence of a peace process. (JTA)

A school in Hebron is forced to close because of tear gas fire from Israeli occupation forces. (Ma’an)

DM Ya’alon says American criticism of Israel's settlement policies has slowed construction. (AP/Ha’aretz/Times of Israel)

A poll suggests 80% of West Bank and Gaza residents sympathize with lone-wolf attacks. (Times of Israel)

Kerry urges flexibility for Pres. Obama’s war powers against ISIS. (Reuters/AP)

Def. Sec. Hagel says American military power is not the solution to Iraq’s problems. (AP)

The UN says more countries have pledged to resettle Syrian refugees. (New York Times)

A UAE court convicts 11 men allegedly affiliated with al Qaeda. (Reuters)

Qatar’s emir Al Thani urges Gulf Arab solidarity amid regional turmoil. (Reuters)

The Senate’s Intelligence Committee releases its report on the use of torture by the CIA. (New York Times/The National/AP)

Commentary:

Asmaa al-Ghoul says Gaza’s society is reeling from the stresses of the last war. (Al-Monitor)

Yossi Mekelberg says Israel is entering a lengthy, exhausting and damaging election campaign. (Al Arabiya)

Thomas Friedman says the Senate committee’s torture report shows that fear after 9/11 was terribly corrosive. (New York Times)

David Ignatius says the Senate’s CIA report is an honest and necessary public accounting. (Washington Post)

The Washington Post says the Senate’s CIA report tells of “inhumanity.” (Washington Post)

Eric Fair says he cannot be forgiven for what he did in Abu Ghraib. (New York Times)

The National says CIA tactics show using torture helps extremist groups recruit militants. (The National)

David Rothkopf says the release of the “damning and horrific” Senate torture report is a bright spot for American democracy. (Foreign Policy)

Michael Young says, instead of worrying about the US in Syria, Russia should “tally its own influence” over its friends. (The National)

Ali Ibrahim says the plan for Syria by UN Envoy de Mistura is highly realistic and pragmatic. (Asharq al-Awsat)

Khaled Diab says without a leader, Egypt’s revolution was doomed to fail. (Ha’aretz)

Abdul Rahman Al Rashed says the Lebanese must realize that their biggest problem is with Hezbollah. (Al Arabiya)

News:

The State of Palestine becomes an ICC observer. (New York Times/Ma’an/JTA/Times of Israel)

A poll suggests 83% of Palestinians support trying to file charges at the ICC against Israeli leaders or officials. (PNN)

Amnesty International accuses Israel of committing war crimes during the Gaza war, but Israel calls the report “decontextualized.” (AFP/Jerusalem Post/Ha’aretz/Times of Israel) 

PM Netanyahu accuses Pres. Abbas of promoting “impossible fantasies” and taking “maximalist positions.” (Times of Israel)

Israel issues demolition orders for residential homes and commercial stores in occupied East Jerusalem. (Ma’an)

Jewish extremist settlers stab a Palestinian teenager in the occupied West Bank. (PNN)

An Egyptian official says the military has destroyed 60 tunnels along the Gaza border since Oct. 28. (Ma’an)

Netanyahu promises Israelis he will lower the cost of living if elected. (Reuters)

DM Ya’alon hints at  further Israeli airstrikes in Syria and warns strikes anyone who arms“our enemies.” (Ha’aretz/Jerusalem Post)

The World Food Program is restarting food aid for 1.7 million Syrian refugees. (AP/Reuters/New York Times)

UN Syria Envoy de Mistura denies a proposed Aleppo peace plan would benefit Pres. Assad. (Reuters)

Al-Qaeda denounces ISIS’ practice of beheadings. (New York Times) 

PM al-Abadi asks the US for more airpower and weaponry against ISIS. (AP/Reuters)

An Egyptian activist Ahmed Douma is sentenced to three years in jail for insulting a court. (Reuters) 

Senior officials from the Gulf states are arriving in Doha for a GCC summit. (AP/The National)

King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia reshuffles his cabinet amid falling oil prices and the ISIS threat. (The National)

Commentary:

Jonathan Schanzer and Grant Rumley say one of Hamas’ most “dangerous operatives” seems to have found a “comfortable new home” in Turkey. (Foreign Policy)

Akiva Eldar says the US must encourage Israeli voters to seek an end to the conflict with the Palestinians. (Al-Monitor)

Seth Lipsky asks what former Sec. Clinton thinks about Netanyahu and America’s Israel policy. (Ha’aretz)

Uri Misgav says Labor leader Herzog will replace Netanyahu. (Ha’aretz)

Ben Dror-Yemeni says Israeli Justice Minister Livni and Herzog must meet in the political center. (Ynet)

Shmuel Rosner says Netanyahu hasn't accomplished much, but that's not necessarily his fault. (New York Times)

Diana Moukalled says Facebook is once again a mirror of Israel’s state of mind. (Asharq al-Awsat)

Carol Giacomo says in the face of the brutal Syrian civil war, many powerful states have not resettled a single refugee. (New York Times)

The Daily Star says Syrian officials fail to acknowledge that Syria lost control of its borders long ago. (Daily Star)

The Jordan Times says there is a pressing need for a regional conference to re-educate Muslims on the “true values” of Islam. (Jordan Times)

The Washington Post calls for the release of American-Iranian journalist Jason Rezaian. (Washington Post)

News:

Pres. Abbas says Palestinians will go to the UN before Israel’s elections. (Ha’aretz)

Israel’s military orders a criminal investigation of one of its deadliest airstrikes in last summer's war in Gaza. (AP/New York Times/The National)

Israeli National Security Advisor Cohen says PA could collapse if Israel withholds tax funds. (Ha’aretz)

King Abdullah of Jordan says “door is still open” for Middle East peace process. (Ynet)

Former PM Barak says a new government that doesn't pursue the peace process will endanger Israel. (Jerusalem Post)

Abbas orders an investigation into the legal status of 2,800 non-government organizations and associations. (Times of Israel)

A Palestinian official says Jewish settlers have been expanding an illegal settlement outpost in the occupied West Bank. (Ma’an)

Israeli occupation forces detain 19 Palestinians in raids across the occupied West Bank. (Ma’an)

Israel arrests several suspects in the arson attack on a joint Arab-Jewish school in Jerusalem. (JTA/Ynet)

Israel accuses Palestinians of looting antiquities. (AP)

A Knesset committee unanimously approves bill to dissolve the Knesset and set March 17 as the date for new elections. (JTA)

Sec. Kerry says the US will not interfere in the next Israeli election. (Ha’aretz/Times of Israel)

Syrian officials say Israeli warplanes have struck at least two areas near Damascus. (New  York Times/Washington Post/JTA/Times of Israel) 

Russia demands an Israeli explanation of airstrikes in Syria. (Ha’aretz)

UNICEF declares 2014 a devastating year for children as many as 15 million caught in conflicts. (Reuters/New York Times)

Kerry urges “patience” while vowing that the P5+1 nuclear talks would not continue without "tangible progress." (AP)

PM Netanyahu says Israel played a key role in stopping a deal with Iran. (AFP/JTA)

Qatar halts its bid to broker the release of Lebanese soldiers and policemen captured by Al-Nusra. (Reuters)

The UK closes its embassy in Cairo over security fears. (AP/The National)

The New York Times looks at the implications in the arrest of Jordan’s deputy head of the Muslim Brotherhood Rushaid. (New York Times)

Commentary:

Shibley Telhami asks if Americans care about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. (Foreign Policy)

Oudeh Basharat says Palestinian citizens of Israel must vote in the upcoming election. (Ha’aretz)

Ron Kampeas says former Sec. Clinton endorsed Pres. Obama’s Israel’s-related positions at the Saban Forum. (JTA)

Aaron David Miller says if Israel passes the proposed “Jewish nation-state” bill, it will incite not only more internal strife but violence. (Foreign Policy)

Anshel Pfeffer says Netanyahu’s actions and attitudes resemble Pres. Putin, Pres. Sissi and Pres. Erdogan. (Ha’aretz)

J.J. Goldberg says Netanyahu might lose the election. (Jewish Daily Forward)

Jackson Diehl says Obama’s “no military solution” derails political options in foreign policy. (Washington Post)

Raed Omari says the Syrian people have passed a point of no return and cannot replicate their past again.(Al Arabiya)

Peter Hellyer says it’s unfair to label the UAE as uncaring over the plight of Syrians. (The National)

Salman Aldossary looks at the five challenges the GCC is facing. (Asharq al-Awsat)

The Jordan Times says women deserve more than the 10 per cent quota accorded them in the current electoral system. (Jordan Times)

Shaarik Zafar explains how the US engages with international Muslim communities. (Al Arabiya)