NEWS:
Sec. Kerry says time [1] is the enemy in his push [2] for Israeli-Palestinian peace [3]. (New York Times/AP/AFP)
Kerry says the parties must show "some kind of progress" [4] before the next UN General Assembly meeting in September. (Ha'aretz)
Kerry is arriving [5] in Israel today [6], and insists Israeli and Palestinian leaders want peace [7]. (Xinhua/Reuters)
American [8] and Palestinian [9] officials criticize Israel's announcement of 69 new settlement units in occupied East Jerusalem, on the eve of Kerry's upcoming visit. (AP/New York Times)
Israel's outgoing central bank governor Fischer says Israel needs to strengthen Palestinian leaders [10] who want to create an independent state. (AP)
Diplomats suggest that a proposed $4 billion investment program for Palestine [11] is contingent on the resumption of negotiations. (Times of Israel)
An unnamed Likud minister says PM Netanyahu is willing [12] to withdraw from 90% of the West Bank, excluding settlement blocs and keeping an open-ended military presence in the Jordan Valley. (Ha'aretz)
Palestinian officials say they are "willing to meet Netanyahu halfway." [13] (Jerusalem Post)
Netanyahu says peace with the Palestinians is a must, but it won't stop defamation of Israel [14]. (Ha'aretz)
Netanyahu and Pres. Peres both explicitly reject the idea of a binational state [15] for Israel and the Palestinians. (YNet)
Israel's AG and DM are at odds [16] over government recognition for a heretofore "unauthorized" settlement outpost. (Ha'aretz)
Desalinization [17] is seen as a potential key in solving Gaza's long-term water crisis. (Reuters)
A French media personality Is convicted of libel [18] after claiming the footage of the death of 12-year-old Mohammed al-Dura was fabricated [19]. (YNet/Times of Israel/AP)
Israel arrests 19 Palestinians [20] in the occupied West Bank, sparking clashes with protesters. (Ma'an)
Egypt is going ahead with prosecutions against nine persons accused of spying for Israel [21]. (Xinhua)
Israel's Supreme Court urges the Health Ministry to ensure hospitals have non-Jewish prayer rooms [22]. (Xinhua)
Israel faces major decisions regarding newly discovered offshore energy reserves [23]. (Christian Science Monitor)
A Palestinian restauranteur returns to the West Bank [24] from Paris, lured by the food of his home country. (Christian Science Monitor)
Settlers call for a boycott of McDonald's [25], after the restaurant chain refuses to open a branch in a settlement. (Jerusalem Post)
Some Palestinians are increasingly looking at nonviolent anti-apartheid tactics [26] such as sports to advance their cause. (The National)
Palestinian militants warn of the potential for a third intifada [27]. (Al Jazeera)
A new poll shows Hezbollah is losing support among Palestinians [28]. (Al Monitor)
COMMENTARY:
Rima Kitana Nezzal [29] says Salam Fayyad set the standard for all other Arab and Palestinian leaders in pursuing women's rights and empowerment. (Al Ayyam, translated by ATFP)
Kimberly Marten [30] says reformed security forces must trump violent, patronage-based politics for Palestinian state-building to be accomplished. (International Herald Tribune)
The National [31] says, with the resignation of PM Hamdallah, Palestinians are once again being let down by their own leaders. (The National)
George Hishmeh [32] says Kerry has both the time and the opportunity to deliver Israel on peace before the next UN meeting. (Gulf News)
The Daily Star [33] says Kerry's rhetoric won't be enough to shift Israel on peace. (The Daily Star)
Michael Jansen [34] agrees that so far there isn't much substance behind Kerry's efforts. (Jordan Times)
Patrick Martin [35] says the rising challenge by anti-2-state Israeli extremists to Netanyahu threatens the prospects for peace. (Globe and Mail)
David Grossman [36] says a new road being built by Israel in the occupied Palestinian territories destroys the prospects for an independent Palestinian state. (Ha'aretz)
The PLO [37] issues a statement on "what is needed for the resumption of credible negotiations." (PNN)
Adi Schwartz [38] says Israel must fight back against accusations in the Mohammed al-Dura affair. (Ha'aretz)
Carlo Strenger [39] says Moshe Arens' vision of an Israeli version of a one-state solution is actually a nightmare. (Ha'aretz)
Hagai Segal [40] says it's more important for Israel to be "Jewish" than to be "democratic." (YNet)
Israel Harel [41] says Israel has a double standard when it comes to land claims by settlers and Bedouins. (Ha'aretz)
Douglas Bloomfield [42] says Netanyahu's deeds must match his words, especially to preserve relations with the United States. (Jerusalem Post)
Linda Gradstein [43] says Israel's ruling Likud party is shifting even more to the right. (The Media Line)
Hana Salah [44] says the Palestinian Stock Exchange has room to grow. (Al Monitor)
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