News:
Pres. Obama [1] says “tough choices” [2] are nearing [3] in the peace talks [4]. (AP/AFP/Ha’aretz/Times of Israel)
PM Netanyahu [5] “pushes back” against Obama’s diplomacy. (Reuters/New York Times)
Pres. Abbas [6] meets with Israeli politician Gal-On [7] to discuss the future of the peace talks. (Xinhua/Ma’an/Ynet)
In a speech before AIPAC [8], Sec. Kerry [9] says the peace process [10] requires “tough choices [11] for the two parties.” (Ha’aretz/PNN/Ynet/JTA)
International Relations Minister Steinitz says freezing settlement construction [12] to extend peace talks is “not an option.”(Jerusalem Post)
Abbas says he will not extend peace talks without a settlement freeze [13] and further prisoner releases. (AFP)
Israeli settlement construction [14] more than doubled [15] in 2013 compared to 2012. [16] (AP/AFP/Ha’aretz)
An Israeli airstrike [17] kills two Palestinian men [18] in Gaza. (New York Times/Xinhua)
An Egyptian court [19] bans all activities [20] of Hamas in Egypt. [21] (Reuters/AFP/The National)
The Knesset debates a bill that could threaten Arab representation [22] in the body. (Ha’aretz)
Israeli Arab MKs will educate airport officials on “humiliation” in security checks [23].(Ha’aretz)
The OPCW says Syria has relinquished about a third of its chemical weapons [24]. (Reuters)
The Syrian forces advance on a rebel-held town [25] near Lebanon.(AP)
International powers will give Lebanon’s military an economic boost [26]. (Reuters)
Saudi Arabia calls on all foreign fighters to leave Syria [27]. (AP)
Gen. Sisi gives a new sign indicating [28]he may run for Egypt’s president [29]. (AP/Reuters)
An Egyptian corruption investigator accuses officials of retaliation [30]. (New York Times)
Commentary:
Hussein Ibish [31] says Israel’s “PR problem” is actually a reaction to its indefensible policies. (Now)
Daniel Abraham [32] asks what trust has to do with peace. (Jerusalem Post)
The Daily Star [33] says the Palestinians must understand that the US is not concerned with their struggle to achieve statehood. (Daily Star)
Shimon Shiffer [34] says as long as settlement construction increases, one can understand why the Palestinians are refusing to join the “Middle East peace dance.” (Ynet)
Henry Siegman [35] says its time for the UN Security Council to broker peace between Israel and the Palestinians. (Ha’aretz)
Ha’aretz [36] says Israel should stop force-feeding hunger striking prisoners. (Ha’aretz)
The New York Times [37] says the EU is worried about the “long-term security threat” posed by European combatants returning from Syria. (New York Times)
Lorie Graham [38] says the UN Security Council has an obligation to take “bolder action” in Syria. (Los Angeles Times)
Abdul Rahman al-Rashed [39] says Obama’s decision not to invade Syria was wise but he should have supported the rebels. (Al Arabiya)
Hassan Hassan [40] says the teachings of Abu Musab Al Suri could spark the rise of a more formidable generation of jihadists. (The National)
Diana Moukalled [41] says the world has succeeded in making the death of Syrians “easy, cheap, and meaningless.” (Asharq al-Awsat)
Mona Alami [42] says Jordanian jihadist fighters have come to play an important role in the Syrian conflict. (Daily Star)
Brooklyn Middleton [43] says as Hezbollah becomes more entangled in the Syrian war, Israel becomes increasingly ready to strike back. (Al Arabiya)
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