Daily News Issue Date:
July 23, 2013
News:
NEWS:
An aide to Pres. Abbas [1] says the formula for negotiations [2] with Israel is not yet fully realized [3], and Israeli sources also express doubts [4]. (AP/Ma'an/The Guardian/The National)
Experts say Sec. Kerry may not yet have found a workable formula [5] for resumed talks [6]. (Xinhua/AFP)
Palestinians are still insisting that the 1967 borders, with agreed land swaps [7], serve as the basis for new talks, and say the US assured them [8] of this in writing. (Reuters/AP)
Israeli Economy Minister Bennett, using the budget issue [9], continues to threaten to bring down the coalition [10] over the prospect of new negotiations. (Ha'aretz/YNet)
PM Netanyahu has been using secrecy [11] and behind-the-scenes maneuvers to get around Bennett's opposition. (Jerusalem Post)
Netanyahu may seek permission from his cabinet [12] to resume negotiations with the Palestinians. (Reuters)
Abbas [13] and Netanyahu [14] both vow that any agreement will be put to a referendum. (AFP/Ha'aretz)
A release [15] of about 80 Palestinian prisoners [16] is crucial in laying the groundwork [17] for resumed negotiations [18] with Israel. (AFP/New York Times/Washington Post/Los Angeles times)
Pres. Peres says the prospect of renewed talks is "a great opportunity." [19] (Xinhua)
MK Tibi warns of a potential third intifada [20] if talks fail. (YNet)
Former official Martin Indyk may head [23] a new US Middle East negotiating team [24]. (New York Times/Times of Israel)
Settler leaders hold an emergency meeting [25] to try to oppose new Israeli-Palestinian talks. (Jerusalem Post)
APN and ATFP [26] foster dialogue on Israeli-Palestinian relations featuring interns and college students. (APN)
The Israeli government is planning to impose its anti-discrimination against women labor laws in "Area C" [27] of the occupied West Bank. (YNet)
Peace Now says the Israeli government is pressing forward with more than 5000 new settler housing units [28]. (Jerusalem Post)
Israel is challenged by increasing numbers of conscientious objectors [29] who refuse to serve in the occupied Palestinian territories. (New York Times)
Another Palestinian refugee is killed [30] in Syria, as regime forces are accused [31] of using gas in refugee camps [32]. (Ma'an/Times of Israel/Jerusalem Post)
Israel's Supreme Court orders the military to review its use of white phosphorus [33]. (Xinhua)
Israeli officials say a Hamas rocket almost struck Ashkelon [34] by mistake in June. (Times of Israel)
Increasing numbers of Jewish Israelis are boycotting [35] the outlying but large settlement of Ariel. (Xinhua)
A new Israeli film [36] looks at the son of an Israeli-Palestinian couple and his own mixed marriage. (Ha'aretz)
The Israeli and American air forces [37] hold a joint drill. (Xinhua)
Three Egyptian security [38] personnel are shot dead by extremists in Sinai. (Xinhua)
A B'Tselem spokesperson says she was unjustly shot by Israeli occupation forces [39] while covering a West Bank protest and has the video to prove it. (+972)
COMMENTARY:
Aluf Benn [40] says the potential resumption of talks with the Palestinians gives Netanyahu the chance of a lifetime. (Ha'aretz)
Abdullah Iskandar [41] says merely announcing the resumption of talks is an achievement for Kerry and the US. (Al Hayat)
Hassan Barari [42] says the resumption of talks, on their own, isn't much of an achievement. (Arab News)
Rami Khouri [43] says Kerry deserves support, but could use a new strategy. (The Daily Star)
Dalia Hatuqa [44] says political conditions make the talks ripe for failure. (The National)
Nasouh Majali [45] urges everyone to give new talks a chance to succeed. (Jordan Times)
Shlomi Eldar [46] says fs Israeli and Palestinian leaders can answer a short set of very difficult questions, peace will be quickly achieved. (Al Monitor)
Avi Issacharoff [47] says Israel's agreement on prisoner release could give Abbas real political protection. (Times of Israel)
Nahum Barnea [48] warns that Washington is a great place to celebrate agreements, but not to conduct Israeli-Palestinian talks. (YNet)
Orly Azoulay [49] says skepticism and cynicism cannot diminish Kerry's accomplishment. (YNet)
Haviv Rettig Gur [50] says, in a troubled region, new talks are by definition a hopeful sign. (Times of Israel)
Hussein Ibish [51] says both Israel and the Palestinians are eager to avoid being seen as the obstructionist party. (Sydney Morning Herald)
Linda Gradstein [52] says Kerry forced Abbas and Netanyahu into talks despite massive domestic opposition on both sides. (The Media Line)
Herb Keinon [53] says Israel may not be willing to agree to the minimal Palestinian demands for an agreement. (Jerusalem Post)
Amira Hass [54] says the new EU guidelines on cooperating with the occupation helped Abbas agree to renewed talks. (Ha'aretz)
Moshe Arens [55] says the EU guidelines are ridiculous and will be ignored by everybody. (Ha'aretz)
The LA Times [56] welcomes the appointment of the first Muslim student as a member of the University of California Board of Regents. (Los Angeles Times)
Oudeh Basharat [57] says discrimination against Arabs in the Negev is a way of life in Israel. (Ha'aretz)
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