An opinion by Ilene Prusher in the Christian Science Monitor discusses the role of Shas in pushing settlement growth (1). The Agence France Presse reports on US Republican presidential candidate John McCain’s recent comments supporting Jerusalem as the capital of Israel (2). In the Daily Star, Yossi Beilin suggests waiting for the new US administration before panicing (7) A Yehuda Lankri opinion in Haaretz discusses the upcoming visit of US ambassador James Cunningham (8).

A Christian Science Monitor opinion by John K. Cooley argues for U.S. public diplomacy and education efforts for Arab youth (1). The Times Online discusses the upcoming trip of US President George W. Bush to Israel (2). In The Star, Oakland Ross observes Canada’s shifting policy concerning the Israel-Palestine conflict (5). An opinion in BitterLemons by Ghassan Khatib asserts that the recent actions of the Israeli government have strengthened Hamas and weakened Fatah (6). An editorial in Haaretz calls for American intervention (10).

An opinion by David Ignatius in the Washington Post examines the fading hope of Annapolis (2) while an opinion by Aaron David Miller in the Los Angeles Times discusses the American Jewish communities commitment to Israel (3). An opinion in the Telegraph cautions that the halting of peace talks will only be a victory for the militants (7). BBC News reports that Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has approved a plan to build up to 750 new homes in a Jewish settlement in the West Bank (8). In the Daily Star, Mouin Rabbani warns that Fatah must reinvent itself or risk irrelevance (10). An editorial in the Middle East Times analyzes a recent Policy Focus by the American Task Force on Palestine (12).

A new Policy Focus by ATFP questions what lies ahead for Gaza (1). An editorial in the Boston Globe discusses Israel’s hard options in Gaza (2). The Agence France Presse reports on yesterday’s Yeshiva attack (6). A MJ Rosenberg opinion in the Israel Policy Forum examines the history and future implications of escalation (8) while in Middle East Progress, Mara Rudman looks at the implications of yesterday’s Yeshiva attack (9).

A Nathan Guttman opinion in The Forward examines the role of ATFP and the criticisms it faces in advocating for a two-state solution (1). The New York Times reports that Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has agreed to resume talks with Israel, although when remains uncertain (2). In the Washington Post, Griff Witte discusses how barriers continue to be build in the West Bank despite promises of relief (4). The Middle East Times comments on a report released by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace concerning Bush’s mideast policies (7). Also in the Middle East Times an editorial analyses the current gaza situation (8).

In the Washington Post, an opinion by Walter Isaacson reemphasizes the need to strengthen the Fatah leadership in the West Bank (1) while a blog response by Glenn Kessler examines claims made in a recently published Vanity Fair article (2). The Media Line reports that Hamas has rejected an Arab-League proposal for truce with Israel (6). An interview with former ambassador Daniel C. Kurtzer in Middle East Progress sheds light on how the US can lead forward from gaza (10). An editorial in the Daily Star examines how effective US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice can be in making peace talks work (12).

A Christian Science Monitor opinion discusses how restraint in defense can help give Israel moral strength (1). A Washington Post editorial opines that the peace process will stall as long as Hamas controls the gaza strip (3). The Agence France Presse reports on attempts by US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to salvage the Mideast peace process (6) while BBC News reports on calls by Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas for a truce in the region (7). An editorial in Haaretz examines the role of Shas in the Israeli political system (10).

An opinion by Yossi Alpher in BitterLemons requests Palestinians be given the opportunity to implement their ‘road map’ obligations (1). In the Baltimore Sun, Richard Boudreaux reports that Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has suspended mideast talks with Israel (2). The International Herald Tribune warns that another mideast peace plan is slipping away (3) while the international community rips Israel over Gaza in the Daily Star (7). The Jordan Times asserts that more forceful action is needed by the UN in regards to the situation in Gaza (8).

Reuters reports on the comments made by the Israeli Deputy Defense minister about a “bigger Holocaust” being visited upon Gaza by Israel due to the increased rocket attacks (1.) Steven Erlanger reports on the threats, protest and rhetoric in Israel's conflict with Hamas (3.) The spate of attacks and counterattacks that have been carried out by both Palestine and Israel in recent days is detailed in the Independent (4.) The Arab News details the events of the past decade in the peace process, and calls on the International community to intervene in order to ensure that peace becomes a reality (8.) A Haaretz editorial urges Prime Minister Olmert to immerse himself completely in the peace process (9.)

The Washington Post repots on US Presidential candidate Barack Obama’s support of Israel (1). A Baltimore Sun opinion by Hagit Ofran discusses ongoing settlement building despite assurances of a settlement freeze (3). Reuters reports comments made by US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice concerning the suffering of Gaza civilians (5). A report compiled by the Global Investment House suggests growth in the Palestinian economy (7). An opinion by George Hishmeh in the Gulf News urges Israel to look to the mistakes of others (8). Yoav Stern reports for Haaretz that Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has not ruled out armed conflict in the future (12).