News:
Pres. Abbas agrees to extend peace talks [1] with Israel if certain conditions are met [2]. (Ma’an./Ha’aretz)
A poll indicates a majority of Palestinians favor extending peace talks if prisoners are freed. [3] (AFP)
A Fatah leader says Palestinians may turn to the UN [4] if Israel doesn’t free more prisoners. (Ha’aretz)
A group of Israeli MKs implore PM Netanyahu to freeze settlements [5] instead of releasing prisoners [6]. (Jerusalem Post/Ynet)
The EU is ready to compensate Palestinian refugees [7] who agree not to return to Israel in the event of a peace agreement. (Times of Israel)
An Israeli government document claims “population exchange” [8] is legal under international law. (Ha’aretz)
A newly formed group of Israelis and Palestinians urge the Arab League to renew its peace initiative. [9] (AP)
Most new Israeli homes [10] in 2014 were built in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem. (Ha’aretz)
Former Pres. Carter opposes a boycott to Israel but says settlement goods must be labelled. [11](Ha’aretz)
Israeli occupation forces detain nine Palestinians [12] in the West Bank. (Ma’an)
Jewish “price tag” extremists attempt to torch [13] a Palestinian-owned shop in Jerusalem. (Ma’an)
Israel cuts off the water supply [14] to a refugee camp north of Jerusalem. (Ha’aretz)
Experts say Gaza groundwater might become unusable by 2016. [15] (Xinhua)
The Arab League [16] strives to heal rifts [17] among members. [18] (Reuters/Xinhua/PNN)
Qatar’s emir criticizes Iraq and Egypt [19] in an address to the Arab League. (AP)
Clashes between Syrian regime forces and rebels spread near the Turkish border. [20] (AP)
Egypt puts former Pres. Morsi [21] and 682 other Muslim Brotherhood [22] supporters on trial. (Reuters/AP)
The UN says mass death sentences [23] in Egypt contravene international law. (Reuters)
Commentary:
Hussein Ibish [24] reviews the new play “Camp David” about the Egyptian-Israeli peace negotiations. (Now)
Ori Nir [25] says supporters of a two-state solution must unite behind Sec. Kerry’s efforts. (Ha’aretz)
Oudeh Basharat [26] says Israel’s handling of the Palestinians is both a tragedy and a farce. (Ha’aretz)
Ha’aretz [27] says Israel is using the WZO’s settlement division to bolster the occupation. (Ha’aretz)
Hassan Barari [28] says Pres. Assad is likely to run for election, thus destroying the likelihood of a peaceful resolution to the conflict. (Jordan Times)
The National [29] says Pres. Obama’s legacy lies at home, not in international relations. (The National)
The Daily Star [30] says an American “policy of leading from behind” means abandoning the Syrian people. (Daily Star)
Dennis Ross [31] says Saudi Arabia is looking for deeds not words from Obama. (Los Angeles Times)
Abdul Rahman Al Rashed [32] says Saudi Arabia is aware that the relationship with the US is strategic. (Al Arabiya)
Rob Sobhani [33] says Obama’s Saudi Arabia trip is key to stability in the region. (Al Arabiya)
The Jordan Times [34] says its time for the Arab world to advance women’s rights. (Jordan Times)
Abdel Latif el-Menawy [35] asks why Gen. Sissi has not announced his presidential bid yet. (Al Arabiya)
The New York Times [36] says the death sentences for 529 Muslim Brothers in Egypt is a judiciary “run amok.” (New York Times)
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