A Baltimore Sun opinion by visiting professor of politics at Harvey Mudd College Suheir Daoud urges the delaying of the Mideast fall meeting due to internal Israeli and Palestinian weaknesses and divisions (2.) The Jewish Telegraphic Agency looks at the dual message the U.S. is sending Israel in terms of support against Iran coupled with a determination to facilitate peace with the Palestinians (4.) The BBC (UK) looks at an Amnesty International report on how Palestinian factional fighting has exacerbated human rights abuses (5.) A Guardian (UK) comment by Jonathan Freedland examines the extremely low expectations for the fall meeting, while noting that all sides seem determined to put on paper the outlines of a settlement along the lines of the Taba negotiations (7.) A Haaretz (Israel) by Prince Hassan of Jordan calls on Muslims to diffrentiate between Israeli policies and Judaism with which Islam and Christianity share a common heritage (9.) A Daily Star (Lebanon) opinion by Rami Khouri comments on recent remarks by UNRWA commissioner general Karen Abuzayd about Palestinian loss of faith in the international community's ability to be fair and objective in their treatment of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict (10.)

The Washington Post reports from the occupied West Bank on how Israel's separation barrier has decimated Palestinian businesses and the economy (1.) The Associated Press examines differences in the hardline and pragmatic forces within Hamas concerning the Gaza takeover, that surfaced in a letter from the former Hamas government spokesperson calling the takeover a mistake (3.) In Middle East Progress, ATFP president Asali identifies the measures for success at the fall Annapolis Mideast meeting and the critical role of the United States in pushing all parties to meet these measures (5.) The Guardian (UK) looks at the debate in Israel over the release of a report on the abuse of Palestinians by Israeli soldiers (7.) An Arab News (Saudi Arabia ) editorial offers a critical assessment of the effectiveness of the Middle East Quartet to-date (10.) In BitterLemons (Israel/Palestine), former Palestinian minister of planning Ghassan Khatib argues for the lowering of expectations regarding the fall meeting (11.) A Haaretz (Israel) opinion by Akiva Eldar takes the Israeli Left to task for not insisting that Israeli PM Olmert follow up his statements in favor of peace with actions on the ground (13.)

In the American Prospect, Gershom Gorenberg analyzes how archaeology is used at the Haram Sharif/Temple Mount to underline claims of sovereignty and draws an important lesson from the 2001 Camp David talks (2.) Reuters examines the many challenges facing Secretary Rice in bringing Israelis and Palestinians to agree on a joint document for the fall meeting as well as on entering formal statehood talks after that (4.) In the Middle East Times, Claude Salhani reports on the ATFP's DC gala at which Undersecretary of State Nicholas Burns reiterated Secretary Rice's assertion that the time for establishing a Palestinian state was now (6.) A Forward editorial urges Israel seize the opportunity for peace between Israel and Syria and the Palestinians, warning of the consequences for Israel in not doing so (7.) In Israel Policy Forum, MJ Rosenberg lays out why the right-wing Israeli and Jewish American claims that Jerusalem is in danger of being 'divided' are in reality a scare tactic meant to oppose peace efforts (9.) The Financial Times (UK) looks at Palestinian indifference on the street regarding the fall meeting for reasons relating to both internal division and Israel actions on the ground (11.) A Jordan Times (Jordan) opinion by George Hishmeh argues for an Israeli commitment to the Non-Proliferation treaty (14.) A Jerusalem Post (Israel) opinion by former Israeli Foreign Ministry director-general David Kimche urges Israel to capitalize on the current opportunity to achieve a two-state solution before its time passes and the one-state solution becomes the default option (15.)

The Washington Post reports on the visit by Secretary Rice to the occupied Palestinian territories and her listening to the grievances of Palestinians (1.) The Forward looks at skepticism voiced about the current Bush administration push for Israeli-Palestinian peace by all five GOP presidential candidates at an event hosted by the Republican Jewish Coalition (4.) AlertNet features an interview with 'The Israel Lobby' authors Walt and Mearshiemer on why they decided to speak out about the special U.S.-Israeli relationship (5.) In his LobeLog blog, journalist Jim Lobe looks at the speech by Secretary of Defense Gates at his Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs award dinner in which he placed a higher priority as a U.S. objective for achieving a two-state solution than containing Iran (7.) A Financial Times (UK) opinion by former Israeli negotiator Moshe Amirav draws lessons for the fall Mideast meeting from the failed Camp David conference in 2001 (10.) A Jordan Times (Jordan) editorial urges the U.S. to use its influence with Israel to freeze Israeli settlement activity in the occupied territories (12.) Haaretz (Israel) reports on Israeli willingness to commit to a joint document at the fall meeting addressing the core issues of Jerusalem, refugees and permanent borders (13.)

The Christian Science Monitor looks at how recent more moderate statements by Hamas regarding negotiating with Israel are impacting efforts to exclude the group and increasing calls for Palestinian reconciliation (2.) The Washington Post examines the determination of Secretary Rice to achieve a breakthrough in Mideast peace efforts during the last 14 months of the Bush administration (4.) The Forward reports on the backing of Senator Brownback, a Republican presidential candidate, for an Israeli right-wing campaign to oppose the current Israeli-Palestinian peace process (6.) The Independent (UK) reports on warnings by the Israeli Likud party about returning any part of occupied East Jerusalem to the Palestinians (8.) A Daily Star (Lebanon) opinion by Rami Khouri assesses why the current peace momentum is unlikely to succeed due to its coming too late and too hastily (9.) A Haaretz (Israel) opinion by Shmuel Rosner argues that the setting of a time for the fall meeting was a mistake that will have serious consequences (12.)

The Associated Press looks at how the memory of the failed Camp David talks in 2001 is weighing heavily on the parties to the Mideast fall meeting (2.) The Washington Post examines the efforts by Secretary Rice to bridge the gap between Israelis and Palestinians during her current trip to the region (4.) In his periodic 'Letter From Israel' Ran Ha Cohen looks at the newly released 'peace initiative' by the Israeli far Right (5.) An International Herald Tribune opinion by Century Foundation and New America Foundation senior fellow Daniel Levy urges the construction of an alliance of peace camp groups to counter the hawkish right-wing constituency in the U.S. (7.) In BitterLemons (Israel/Palestine) Israeli professor of government Galia Golan looks at the confluence of factors making the fall Mideast meeting a genuine opportunity for furthering Israeli-Palestinian peace (11.) Haaretz (Israel) presents the latest Peace Index Project polling of the Israeli people on the fall meeting (13.) Also in Haaretz, Akiva Eldar analyzes the three alternatives available to President Bush regarding the substance of the fall meeting and each alternative's supporters (15.)

The Los Angeles Times examines Arab misgivings regarding the intentions behind the fall Mideast meetings as well as prospects for its success (2.) The Associated Press reports on plans for the first Palestinian census in the occupied territories in a decade and how the results could impact future peace talks with Israel (3.) The New York Times reviews the new book by Israeli historian Zertal and Israeli journalist Eldar on the Israeli settlement project in the occupied Palestinian territories (5.) The Christian Science Monitor assesses the prospects of reviving the Mideast peace process as the Bush administration ratchets up its engagement in the lead up to the fall meeting (7.) The Guardian (UK) looks at new statements by Israeli PM Olmert regarding Israel's willingness to return parts of occupied East Jerusalem to the Palestinians (9.) The Independent (UK) reports on the impressions being made on Quartet envoy Tony Blair as he travels the West Bank as part of his mission of strengthening Palestinian institutions and the economy (11.) An Arab News (Saudi Arabia) editorial finds positive signs for movement on the peace process in recent Israeli and Palestinian statements on the issue (13.) A Haaretz (Israel) opinion by Akiva Eldar spells out what an personal involvement by President Bush in advancing Israeli-Palestinian peace should be composed of (15.)

The New York Times reports on the cash shortage in Gaza's banks due to the decision by Israeli commercial banks to stop all Palestinian banks in Gaza (2.) In Israel policy Forum, MJ Rosenberg identifies the critical steps needed in terms of both an agreement and actions on the ground if the fall Mideast meeting is to be a success (4.) The Guardian (UK) looks at the continued barring of Palestinian students from Israeli universities by the Israeli army despite an Israeli Supreme Court order to relax such restrictions (8.) The Economist (UK) reviews a book by Israeli historian Idith Zertal and Israeli journalist Akiva Eldar on how Israeli settlers have consistently thwarted Israeli law to establish settlements in the occupied West Bank greatly complicating two-state solution prospects (10.) In BitterLemons (Israel/Palestine) former Palestinian minister of planning Ghassan Khatib identifies Israeli actions on the ground that undermine prospects for a successful fall meeting (12.) In Haaretz (Israel), Aluf Benn analyzes how two parties in Israeli PM Olmert's coalition could determine the extent of flexibility in his negotiations with the Palestinians (14.) A Ynet News/Yedioth (Israel) opinion by Israeli Geneva Initiative director-general Gadi Baltiansky addresses the consequences of the current Israeli and Palestinian leaderships in reaching a peace settlement (15.)

Inter Press Service examines a letter sent to President Bush by eight top former U.S. policy-makers identifying success at the fall Mideast meeting as being the setting of the contours of a final peace agreement and the participation of Arab states (1.) The Forward analyzes the evolution of Israeli statements regarding occupied East Jerusalem in the lead up to the fall meeting and the role of the U.S. in that evolution (3.) Israel Policy Forum presents the full report of a study group it commissioned to produce a guide for a successful fall meeting (5.) The Associated Press looks at comments by the Palestinian lead negotiator on the issue of land swaps with Israel as part of a final peace settlement (6.) The Guardian (UK) reports on statements made by Palestinian president Abbas regarding the amount of occupied territory Palestinians expect to be returned to them in order to establish a Palestinian state (8.) A Gulf News (UAE) opinion by George Hishmeh highlights the importance of an active U.S. role during and after the fall Mideast meeting in offsetting he weakness of the Israeli, Palestinian and U.S. leaderships (10.) Israel's influential Reut Institute think tank examines recent trends in the international community in favor of a 'one state' solution (13.)

In Salon.com, former Israeli UN speechwriter Gregory Levey warns that the growing alliance between Likud leader Netanyahu and Israeli-Russian billionaire Gaydamak could result in an erosion of Israeli democracy and right-wing policies promoting wider regional Mideast war (2.) The New York Times examines how the recent Israeli strike against Syria has brought to the surface the differences in the U.S. administration between the more hawkish elements favoring military action and the more pragmatic favoring diplomatic solutions (3.) The Guardian (UK) reports on the recent seziure of Palestinian land around Jerusalem by the Israeli army in order to apparently build more settlements (6.) In the BBC (UK) Middle East editor Jeremy Bowen examines the many challenges facing the fall Mideast meeting, primary among them the consequences of excluding Hamas (8.) A Daily Star (Lebanon) opinion by Rami Khouri argues that for the fall Mideast meeting to meet any standards of success it must address the interests of both Israelis and Palestinians equally (10.) In Miftah (Palestine) Joharah Baker examines the successful process by which Israel is able to transform policies that initially are opposed to internationally to permanent facts on the ground (12.) A Haaretz (Israel) editorial by Amir Oren analyzes how the American leadership is convinced that a far-reaching and significant Israeli withdrawal from Palestinian occupied territories as part of a compromise with moderate Mideast regional forces, is important to achieve (14.) A jerusalem Post (ISrael) opinion by Gershon Baskin urges the Israeli and Palestinian leaderships not to be swayed by hardening public opinion in the lead up to the fall meeting, instead focusing on the main principles of an agreement that he lays out (15.)