ATFP's Ziad Asali and Ghaith al-Omari discuss empowering Palestinian moderates (1). Daniel Gavron writes in the New York Times about Israel's reasons to celebrate...and plan for the long term (2). The Toronto Star's Oakland Ross highlights the industry of necessity in Gaza(4). Ghassan Khatib looks at the long term consequences of Palestinian division (5). The Jerusalem Post reports on Hamas' plans (6) and examines the legitimacy of Israel's response (7). Agence France-Presse examines the passing of Congressman Tom Lantos from an Israeli perspective(9). Finally, Angus Reid reports on a poll suggesting continued Palestinian disapproval of Hamas(11).

The Washington Post (1) and BBC (2) monitor ongoing developments in Gaza. Reuters reports on Salam Fayyad’s view of the near future (3). MJ Rosenberg offers advice for future negotiations (5). Daniel Kurtzer discusses America’s role in the negotiations. In domestic news, The Daily Star’s Ghassan Rubiez analyzes Super Tuesday from an Arab-American perspective (8) while Shmuel Rosner discusses John McCain’s Israel policy(10).

Reuters highlights the views of Middle East envoy Tony Blair regarding the ‘road map’ and the recent progress made by the PA (1.) The state of Arab philanthropy is examined in a Christian Science Monitor article by Ian Wilhelm (2.) The Jordan Times looks at Jordan’s recent warning to Israel to stop altering facts on the ground through settlement expansion (5.) In the Jerusalem Post, Edgar Lefkovitz writes about the recent assertion by Mahmoud Abbas that his security officials are ready to take responsibility for the border crossings in the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip (7.) A Ynet news article discusses the treatment of Palestinians crossing the border into Egypt and Hamas’s call for Egypt to voice its anger at Israel instead.

The BBC reports that Israel has approved the construction of a fence along its border with Egypt (2) while reports issued by The Media Line and MIFTAH detail the growth in the economy of the West Bank (4) and the political opinions of educated, youth and women Palestinians (5) respectively. An editorial in the Jewish Daily Forward wonders why Israel continues not to explore Hamas’ standing offer of a cease-fire (8). In the Daily Star, Rami Khouri comments on the declining power of the Arab state (9). Finally, Amira Hass of Haaretz discusses what the PA can do to increase its support among current Palestinians on strike.

Ilene Prusher of The Christian Science Monitor details the rejuvenation of talks to complete the Isarel/Egypt wall (2). In The Gulf News, Khalil Al Assali reports on Dr. Mustafa Al Barghouthi statement that Hamas is effectively ending ‘the Palestinian dream’ (3). A Forward editorial on religion and the Jewish vote in the American election warrants a clarification (7). Al-Jazeera breaks news that Egypt is calling for PA help in Gaza’s border management (8). Daniel Kurtzer of the Daily Star offers deep analysis of the peace process (10) while Akiva Eldar of Haaretz examines the irrelevancy of military superiority (12).

Isabel Kershner of the New York Times discusses the impact of Ehud Barak, Israeli Defense Minister, remaining in Ehud Olmert's coalition in the wake of the Winograd report.(2) In Mother Jones, Justin Elliott touches on Barack Obama's recent statements about the border crisis in Gaza. (5) Mousa Qous suggests that the continued Israeli settlement building in East Jerusalem could compromise future negotiations of a two state solution in BitterLemons. (Israel/Palestine) (8) An Arab News editorial petitions Mahmoud Abbas to make a deal with Hamas over the recent border crisis. (9) An Haaretz article ranks the U.S. presidential candidates positions on the Israel/Palestine debate. (11) Also in Haaretz, Amos Harel updates on the first suicide bombing in Israel in over a year. (13)

Reuters reports on the latest news from the Rafah crossing (1.) The Economist examines the new power equation following Hamas’ breach of the border (2.) Time Magazine further analyzes the Gaza situation (3.) The Independent’s Donald Macintyre (4) and Financial Time’s Phillip Stevens (5) examine Olmert’s options. The Financial Times discusses how Israel’s coalition government rests on Labor’s upcoming decision (6.) The Time’s Chris Doyle argues continued occupation is the driving force behind continued Qassam rocket attacks and questions punishing the million for the sake of the few (7.) With U.S. elections impending, M.J. Rosenberg offers platform advice to candidates (10) as the Middle East Times ranks their support for Palestine (11.) Finally, Al-Ahram’s Serene Assir argues for permanent long-term cooperation between Egypt and Gaza(12).

Angus Reid Global Monitor reports on a Palestinian survey by An-Najah university showing 80% of Palestinians skeptical of President Bush's pledge to secure a Palestinian state (2.) Reuters examines the conditions set by Palestinian president Abbas for talks with Hamas (4), while Al-Jazeera (Qatar) reports on Hamas conditions for the Gaza border with Egypt (11.) The Forward looks at renewed tensions between Jewish American organizations and mainstream Protestant churches over a re-emerging divestment drive (6.) A Guardian (UK) editorial is critical of the just-released Winograd Report in Israel for not promoting new thinking regarding the use of military force (8.) China View (China) also looks at the An-Najah poll, focusing on results showing a majority of Palestinians in favor of the Gaza border crossings being controlled by Palestinian Authority forces as opposed to Hamas (10.) A Gulf News (UAE) opinion by George Hishmeh analyzes how the Gaza situation has changed regional calculations (12.) A Jerusalem Post (Israel) opinion by Sheldon Schreter outlines how Israel's settlement enterprise on the occupied Palestinian territories is greviously harming Israel on two levels (14.)

Reuters reports on talks between the Palestinian government and Egypt over the Gaza border with Hamas seeking a role in any future arrangement (1.) In Salon, Gary Kamiya argues that the Gaza border crisis is a result of failed U.S. and Israeli policies regarding Hamas (3.) In Inter Press Service, Jim Lobe finds little prospect for major U.S. Mideast foreign policy change in the last year of the Bush presidency (5.) An IHT opinion by famous Israeli pianist and conductor Daniel Barenboim urges Israelis to be sensitive to the rights of the Palestinian people as partners sharing the same land (7.) The Independent (UK) reports from Gaza on how power cuts are affecting one Palestinian family who has a son on a respirator (9.) The Telegraph (UK) reports on the halting of the building of a new sewage plant in Gaza, one of Quartet envoy Blair's main projects, due to Israel's refusal to allow the delivery of construction materials (10.) A Daily Star (Lebanon) opinion by Daoud Kuttab, published in collaboration with Project Syndicate, analyzes how the collective punishment of Gaza's population weakens the moderate majority and strengthens the extremist minority (12.) Haaretz (Israel) looks at a UN report on growing religious intolerance in Gaza (13.) Also in Haaretz, an editorial warns of the consequences of the smear campaign directed against Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama by certain right-wing elements in the Jewish American community (15.)

Reuters reports on Israel's looking with favor at the Palestinian government's proposed plan to take control over the breached Gaza border crossing with Egypt (2.) The Los Angeles Times looks at how Islamist and opposition Egyptian groups are using the Gaza crisis to strengthen their appeal and provoke wider protests against the Egyptian government (3.) A Christian Science Monitor opinion by Helena Cobban argues that the Gaza crisis demonstrates the need for direct or indirect U.S. talks with Hamas (5.) In Middle East Times, editor Claude Salhani analyzes President Bush's state of the union address with regards to Mideast issues (7.) DPA (Germany) reports on a European Union foreign ministers' statement calling on Israel to halt all settlement activity in Palestinian areas, referring to it as illegal (9.) The Independent (UK) reports on a unique guided tour of the West Bank city of Hebron offered by a retired Israeli army reservist and meant to highlight the abuse of the Palestinian civilian population by Israeli settlers (10.) In BitterLemons (Israel/Palestine) former Palestinian minister of planning Ghassan Khatib examines why the Gaza border breach is a short term victory for Hamas but a long term contributor to the separation of the West Bank from Gaza (12.) A Jerusalem Post (Israel) opinion by Gershon Baskin looks at how the formal opening and regulating of Gaza's border with Egypt could work out in all parties' favor (14.)