News:
Sec. Kerry [1] returns to the Middle East to try to salvage [2] the Israeli-Palestinian peace talks. [3](AP/Reuters/Ha’aretz)
Kerry may be suggesting language about Israel as a “Jewish homeland.” [4] (Ynet)
Israel offers to free more Palestinian prisoners [5] to extend peace talks [6]. (AFP/Ha’aretz)
Released Palestinian prisoners remake their lives after years in an Israeli prison. [7] (New York Times)
Palestinians are evaluating their options [8] should peace talks fail. (Washington Post)
DM Ya’alon praises Israel’s ties to the Pentagon [9] in an effort to mend relations. [10] (Xinhua/Ha’aretz)
Czech police say the late Palestinian Ambassador was holding an explosive device [11] when he died. (New York Times)
Israel confiscates 300 Dunams of land [12] in the occupied West Bank for settlements. (Ma’an)
Gaza’s crossing to Egypt reopens [13] after a 50-day closure. (The National)
A Palestinian is injured by Jewish settlers in Jerusalem. [14] (PNN)
Palestinians [15] commemorate [16] Land Day. [17] (Xinhua/Ma’an/AFP)
Former Israeli PM Olmert [18] is convicted of taking bribes. [19] (New York Times/Ha’aretz)
The Syrian regime accuses Turkey of sending foreign fighters [20] to Latakia. (AP)
Hezbollah leader Nasrallah says his forces were late in joining the conflict [21] in Syria. (The National)
Egyptians [22] will elect a new president [23] in late May. [24] (AP/Washington Post/The National)
An Egyptian court sentences 33 Muslim Brotherhood members. [25] (AP)
Pres. Obama tells Saudi King he will not agree to a bad deal [26] with Iran. (Chicago Tribune)
PM Erdogan comes out as a winner [27] in contentious local election. [28](AP/Washington)
Commentary:
Hussein Ibish [29] says both Israel and the Palestinian need “tough love.” (The National)
Lara Friedman [30] says Israeli and Palestinian leaders need to find a recognition formula that reconciles two opposing national narratives. (Ha’aretz)
Amer Al Sabaileh [31] questions the ability of Pres. Abbas to be a real leader for Palestinians. (Jordan Times)
Jackson Diehl [32] says Kerry’s “profound misreading” of the Middle East is enabling the “bad guys.” (Washington Post)
Yitzhak Laor [33] says Israel needs no recognition as the “Jewish state.” (Ha’aretz)
Amal Mousa [34] says the discourse and culture of death has not brought Hamas any significant results.(Asharq al-Awsat)
Oudeh Basharat [35] says Palestinian citizens of Israel can achieve a just distribution of resources. (Ha’aretz)
Rami Khouri [36] says he is saddened that Gen. Sisi’s supporters are using images of the late Pres. Nasser. (Daily Star)
H.A. Hellyer [37] says Sisi’s presidential bid leaves a number of crucial questions unanswered. (Al Arabiya)
Simon Henderson [38] says Prince Bandar bin Sultan remains the key player in the US-Saudi relationship. (Foreign Policy)
Diana Moukalled [39] asks why the Syrian crisis needs a celebrity ambassador. (Asharq al-Awsat)
Michael Karam [40] says Lebanon must address its own health if it wants to promote health tourism. (The National)
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