Time Magazine examines the challenges facing Palestinian Security Forces in the West Bank of town Hebron (1) where they were active this weekend (3). The chief Palestinian negotiator announces that there will be no peace agreement this year (2). Britain urges Israel to freeze settlement activity (4). Palestine takes steps to reduce their energy dependence on Israel (5). Israel’s Knesset tentatively agrees on February 10th elections (6). Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak says he favors restricting right-wing extremists from the West Bank (9).

U.S. General Keith Dayton, security coordinator in Palestine, is interviewed by Al-Ayyam (1). Tzipi Livni abandons efforts to form a coalition government in the face of noncooperation from the Shas party (2). However an Israeli national poll reports that she is maintaining her edge over rival Benjamin Netanyahu (4). The Independent’s Donald Macintyre examines the world of Gaza’s underground smuggling tunnels (3). Palestine hosts its first international soccer game (5). Violence continues to mar the olive harvest in the West Bank (6).

The New York Times profiles how the larger Israeli-Palestinian conflict is playing out in the contested West Bank town of Nablus (1). The Christian Science Monitor examines the current calm in the midst of so many changing administrations (2). The World Bank announces that the price of property in the West Bank has soared to a level unreachable by most Palestinians (3). The Israeli ultra-Orthodox Shas party has refused to join Tzipi Livni’s coalition government (4). Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erakat urges the next U.S. President to continue efforts towards a peace deal (5).

The Los Angeles Times answers some basic questions regarding the formation of Israel’s new ruling coalition (1). The World Bank issues a report citing Israeli restrictions as a main inhibitor of economic growth in the West Bank (2). Israeli President Shimon Peres lends his support to the revival of the Arab peace initiative (3). Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad joins West Bank farmers to help with the olive harvest (4). Israel approves the deployment of additional Palestinian Security Forces in Hebron (5). An Israeli citizen is stabbed and killed by a Palestinian in Jerusalem (7).

Egypt drafts a proposal for consensus government between Fatah and Hamas (1) (4). Palestinians are hopeful at the prospect of a revival of Saudi involvement in the peace process (2) (6). Israel closes Gaza crossings in response to the rocket fired yesterday (3). Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas appoints a new intelligence chief in continued reshuffling of high level positions within his government (7) (11). Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert is scheduled to meet with Mahmoud Abbas next week in an attempt to keep the peace process moving (9).

The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights asserts that 68 children have been killed in the Gaza strip in the past year as a result of actions by the Israeli military (1). Egypt invites Hamas and Fatah to meet in Cairo on Nov. 9 for reconciliation talks (2), and Hamas lends tentative support to the plan (3). Swedish lockmaker Assa Abloy, in response to criticism from human rights groups, announces that it will move its production plant out of an Israeli settlement in the West Bank (5). Israel clears three recently erected wildcat settlements from the West Bank (6).

In an op-ed for The Boston Globe Ephraim Sneh outlines the Mideast challenges facing the next U.S. President (1). Another op-ed by Ian Black in the UK’s Guardian addresses the same set of challenges and suggests an Arab peace initiative as vital to keeping Israeli-Palestinian negotiations afloat (2). Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak condemn settler violence against Palestinians during the olive harvest (4) (8) . Tzipi Livni receives a two-week extension to continue building a coalition government (7).

Hamas calls the financial troubles looming over America "God's punishment" (5). Israeli Prize laureate Zeev Sternhell makes a cogent and persuasive argument for ending West Bank settlement (6). A cache of weapons and explosives is discovered in a tunnel near Hebron (7). M.J. Rosenberg sums up encouraging signs of progress in both Palestine and Washington (9). The radical elements of the settler movement increase the scope of their attacks on IDF soldiers and Palestinians (10).

USAID Administrator Henrietta H. Fore makes a pledge at ATFP’s Third Annual Gala to transfer $550 million to the Palestinian Authority (1). The Wall Street Journal covers Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad’s recent trip to Washington and the business investments made for the West Bank (2). The BBC reports on the network of smuggling tunnels servicing the Gaza strip via Egypt (3). Palestinian-Israel security forces cooperate in the destruction of a recently discovered tunnel running under the West Bank town of Hebron (8).

The Department of State releases Secretary Rice’s remarks at yesterday’s Palestinian Business and Investment Forum (1). Haaretz reports on the pledge made in those remarks to continue work towards a Middle East peace deal (2). The Washington post reports about increased radicalism among settlers in the West Bank (3). Rami Khouri lauds the leadership of Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad (5).Israeli officials are meeting to discuss the future of the Arab citizens of Acre displaced from their homes following several days of clashes in the city (10).