NEWS:
The outgoing ambassador to Israel of South Africa [1] calls its treatment of Palestinians, "a replication of apartheid." [2] (AP/Times of Israel)
Under significant political and financial pressure, Hamas leaders [3] are in Ankara for talks with PM Erdoğan [4]. (Today's Zaman/Xinhua)
Sec. Kerry will visit the region again [5] next week for more peace efforts. (Xinhua)
Pres. Abbas says Palestinians [6] very much want Kerry's efforts to succeed. (Jerusalem Post)
The Israeli military says the PA is taking steps [7] in the West Bank to try to promote an atmosphere for successful talks [8]. (Reuters/Jerusalem Post)
The Israeli military warns of unrest [9] in the occupied West Bank should negotiations fail. (Ha'aretz)
Israel arrests three Palestinian men [10] in connection with the killing of a Jewish settlerIn 2011. (Jerusalem Post)
Quartet envoy Blair warns [11] that the window of opportunity for peace may be closing soon. (Xinhua)
PM Netanyahu vows to deal harshly [12] with ‘un-Jewish’ Abu Ghosh Jewish vigilante "price tag" attackers. (Times of Israel)
The Israeli government is sending distinctly mixed signals on interest in peace [13] with the Palestinians. (Washington Post)
Repudiating comments from his cabinet colleagues, Netanyahu insists his government seeks a "demilitarized Palestinian state that recognizes the Jewish state." [14](Reuters)
Dignitaries and celebrities [15] gather to celebrate Pres. Peres' 90th birthday [16]. (New York Times/AP)
The Knesset launches a legislative caucus to teach MKs about the US system [17] of government. (The Media Line)
Several rockets are launched [18] in the direction of southern Israel from Gaza. (Xinhua)
Israel's housing minister repeats his assertions [19], contradicted by several NGOs, that a settlement housing freeze has been in place since the beginning of the year. (AFP)
Three Arab singers are denied entry [20] into the West Bank by Israel. (Ma'an)
Two Palestinian writers in Gaza are denied visas [21] to visit the UK for a literary fest. (The Guardian)
A new report shows Palestinian citizens of Israel face extensive barriers to higher education [22]. (Ha'aretz)
An independent, secular Palestinian TV station [23] has been struggling to stay on-air in the occupied West Bank. (Bloomberg)
COMMENTARY:
Rachel Shabi [24] says the Israeli government's obsession with settlement expansion is by far the biggest threat to peace. (The Guardian)
The PLO [25] issues a fact sheet entitled "The Israeli Government’s Unbreakable Commitment to the Israeli Settlement Enterprise." (PLO
Negotiations Affairs Department)
Anne Penketh [26] says Iran's nuclear program remains the main foreign policy priority for Israel. (The National)
Avi Shilon [27] says a two-state solution for Israel and the Palestinians is still possible. (Ha'aretz)
Aaron David Miller [28] interviews Peres. (Foreign Policy)
Ha'aretz [29] says Netanyahu needs to stop blaming the Palestinians and start working to break the impasse. (Ha'aretz)
Elyakim Haetzni [30] says Netanyahu depends on a dormant, dysfunctional peace process that is designed to fail in order to stay in power. (YNet)
Chemi Shalev [31] says numerous American leaders, including Pres. Obama, former President Clinton and Kerry, among others, all have the same message Israel: you don't understand how important peace is for you. (Ha'aretz)
Nathan Guttman [32] says right-wing pro-Israel Jewish groups are asking if they're being targeted by the IRS. (The Forward)
Mairav Zonszein [33] looks at unusual statements by the American Jewish Committee critical of Israeli government leaders' comments. (Daily Beast/Open Zion)
Alec Ross [34] says introducing 3G mobile phone networking in the occupied West Bank could genuinely help the peace process. (Foreign Policy)
Adnan Abu Amer [35] says there's no real sign of improvement in ties between Hamas and Hezbollah. (Al Monitor)
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