News:
Sec. Kerry [1] says Israel’s insistence on demanding the Palestinians recognize Israel [2] as a “Jewish state” [3] is a mistake. (PNN/Ha’aretz/Jerusalem Post)
Pres. Abbas says the Palestinians were not asked [4] to extend the peace talks. (Xinhua)
PM Cameron announces British investments in Palestinian [5] businesses. (Jerusalem Post)
A poll indicates that Israelis consider peace with the Arab world [6] more important than recognition as a “Jewish state.”(Ha’aretz)
Gaza [7] rockets persist despite [8] the truce [9]with Israel [10]. (Reuters/Ha’aretz/Jerusalem Post/The National)
Egypt reportedly “intentionally” bypassed Hamas [11] and negotiated directly with Islamic Jihad on the Gaza ceasefire. (Ma’an)
A three-year-old Palestinian child dies [12] due to the closure of the Rafah crossing. (Ma’an)
Gaza is hit by the worst economic crisis since Hamas [13] seized power. (AP)
Peace Now releases [14] a satirical video of politicians and activists dressed up as “right wingers.” (Ha’aretz)
Bethlehem activists give Abbas [15] money to help the Palestinian refugees in Yarmouk. (Ma’an)
“BDS” activists [16] will release a smartphone app [17] to help people boycott Israel. (Ha’aretz/Ynet)
FM al-Moallem [18] is rushed to a Lebanese hospital. (AP)
The new Syrian presidential election law [19] would exclude most opposition leaders. (Reuters)
UN Envoy Brahimi [20] says an election in Syria [21] will not help the peace talks. (Reuters/New York Times)
Former Gen. Shafik calls promise of free elections in Egypt a “farce.” [22] (New York Times)
Egypt summons European envoys over human rights criticisms [23]. (Xinhua)
An international meeting in Baghdad [24] vows to fight terrorism. (Xinhua)
Commentary:
Hussein Ibish [25] argues Israel’s “Jewish state”’ demand turns the clock back before the PLO’s 1993 recognition of Israel. (Ha’aretz)
Amos Harel [26] asks if Israel will invade Gaza again. (Foreign Policy)
The Jerusalem Post [27] says Hamas’s weakness presents unique opportunities for Israel. (Jerusalem Post)
The National [28] says water has a key role in peace and stability in the Middle East. (The National)
Elliott Abrams and Uri Sadot [29] say "the critical figure to monitor is the number of Israeli houses built outside such blocs in areas intended for the future state of Palestine." (Washington Post)
Ha’aretz [30] says Israel’s real leader and navigator is Economy Minister Bennett. (Ha’aretz)
Joseph Nye [31] says Pres. Obama faces a moral dilemma in Syria: prudence or indifference. (Daily Star)
Abdul Rahman Al Rashed [32] asks why people are praising Jabhat Al-Nusra for releasing kidnaped nuns in Syria. (Al Arabiya)
David Ignatius [33] says the US needs an alternate strategy for strengthening Syrian moderates. (Washington Post)
John Glaser [34] says the Syrian and Ukrainian conflicts are not related. (Daily Star)
Alan Philps [35] says the crisis in Crimea is bound to affect the Middle East. (The National)
Alaa Al Aswany [36] says, for the first time, Egyptians are seeing their leader ridiculed on television while still in power. (New York Times)
The Christian Science Monitor [37] says Turkey’s protests represent a spontaneous uprising for individual freedoms and honest government. (Christian Science Monitor)
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