News:
Israel announces future tenders for 1,730 new settlement housing [1] units. (Xinhua)
PM Netanyahu defends Israel's settlement [2] expansion policies. (AP)
The PLO says Israel is "not serious" [3] about peace, and threatens to take the issue of settlements to the UN [4] Security Council. (Ma'an)
Israeli press [5] reports suggest the US may offer [6] a new peace initiative [7] in January. (Ha'aretz/PNN/Jerusalem Post)
An Israeli drone crashes [8] north of Gaza, Israel says because of technical malfunctions but Palestinianmilitants say they shot it down [9]. (Xinhua/Ma'an)
The star of the noted film "5 Broken Cameras" is among those shot by Israeli occupation forces [10] at a protest. (Ma'an)
Hamas is creating its own new, controversial textbooks [11]. (New York Times)
Hamas appoints a 23-year-old woman writer its Western spokeswoman [12]. (YNet)
South Africa's FM expresses solidarity [13] with the Palestinian cause. (Ma'an)
A Bedouin child is killed by a tractor [14] in the Negev desert. (YNet)
The CSM looks at how humor eases the burden of daily life under occupation [15] for Palestinians. (Christian Science Monitor)
Palestinians launch a new effort to promote domestic tourism [16]. (PNN)
Sec. Kerry visits Egypt [17] at the start of a regional tour and reaffirms strong relations. (New York Times)
Kerry will also go to Saudi Arabia [18] in an effort to repair strained ties [19]. (AP/Reuters)
A suicide bombing [20] in the Syrian city of Homs kills six people. (AP)
Jordan is reportedly turning away Syrian refugees [21]. (Los Angeles Times)
The UN says nearly 1,000 people were killed in Iraq in October [22]. (AP)
The trial of former Egyptian Pres. Morsy [23] begins, but quickly recesses [24]. (New York Times/Los Angeles Times)
Military analysts say the suspension in some US military aid provides Egypt with an opportunity for innovation [25]. (The National)
Commentary:
Adam Gonn [26] says Kerry is trying to keep up pressure on Israel and the Palestinians to make progress. (Xinhua)
Steve Hibbard [27] sees little reason for optimism in the Israeli-Palestinian negotiations. (The Daily Star)
Boaz Ganor [28] says Israel is in a difficult strategic position that can only be resolved through peace with the Palestinians. (Jerusalem Post)
Giles Fraser [29] says Israel cannot afford to be isolated forever. (The Guardian)
Amira Hass [30] looks at repeated threats by Palestinian chief negotiator Erekat to resign. (Ha'aretz)
Hazem Balousha [31] thinks clashes between Israel and Hamas are unlikely to intensify. (Al Monitor)
Uri Misgav [32] says the Israeli far right is still celebrating the assassination of the late PM Rabin. (Ha'aretz)
Arik Ascherman [33] says Israel's mass relocation plan will hurt Bedouin women even more than men. (Ha'aretz)
David Harris [34] asks how far Israel and Washington have diverged regarding Iran. (Ha'aretz)
David Horovitz [35] says the next two months will prove decisive regarding Iran. (Times of Israel)
Turki bin Faisal al-Saud [36] says ending the ongoing horror in Syria is the paramount Middle East issue of the moment. (The Daily Star)
Asharq Al-Awsat interviews the Egyptian Al-Nour Party Spokesman [37]. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Wafa Al Sayed [38] says American detente with Iran need not come at the expense of its Gulf allies. (Gulf News)
Nasouh Majali [39] says the US seems to many Arabs to be less committed to the Middle East. (Jordan Times)
The Daily Star [40] says Kerry's trip to the region is "too little, too late." (The Daily Star)
Madawi Al-Rasheed [41] says Kerry ought to be able to patch things up with Saudi Arabia. (Al Monitor)
Hussein Ibish [42] says it's vital for the US to preserve strategic relations with its Arab allies. (The National)
Front Page Features