May 23, 2013 | The American Task Force on Palestine

Daily News Issue Date:

May 23, 2013

News:

NEWS:

Senior Palestinian officials praise Sec. Kerry's peace efforts and express guarded optimismabout the resumption of talks with Israel.(Reuters/New York Times)

Other Palestinian officials reportedly express skepticism, and say they are preparing "day after" plans. (AP)

PM Netanyahu tells Kerry Israel sees restarting negotiations with the Palestinians as a paramount imperative. (Ha'aretz)

Kerry praises Netanyahu's "seriousness" about peace negotiations, after separate talks with both sides today. (JTA/The Forward)

Comments from the US and Israel raise hopes about the revival of peace talks. (AP)

Jordan says it is hopeful that talks can be resumed. (Jerusalem Post)

According to a new poll, Kerry's efforts face skepticism in public opinion on both sides, especially among Palestinians. (Pew)

American sources say Kerry phoned Netanyahu, not Amb. Oren, to object to Israel's recently announced settlement expansion. (Ha'aretz)

Amnesty International finds that Israel and Hamas both committed war crimes in their violent encounter late last year. (Ma'an)

An Israeli court rejects a lawsuit against Israeli soldiers who killed a Palestinian protester in 2009. (Jerusalem Post)

After 10 years of construction, Israel's West Bank separation barrier is almost complete. (NPR)

Palestine asks the UN Security Council to end "provocations" by Israel in occupied East Jerusalem. (Xinhua)

The UN says the conflict in Syria has displaced most Palestinian refugees in that country. (AFP)

Israel's Air Force chief warns about the possibility of conflict with Syria. (AP)

Israelis feel their country is being increasingly drawn into the Syrian conflict. (New York Times)

Thousands of Palestinians flock to return to the Gaza Strip after the crossing with Egypt is finally reopened. (Xinhua)

A Hamas court sentences one man to death and another to life imprisonment with hard labor for collaborating with Israel. (AFP)

A Jewish-Arab chorus in Jerusalem is fostering coexistence. (Christian Science Monitor)

US-Israeli and Palestinian companies are increasingly cooperating in high tech. (Al Monitor)

AP profiles the new Palestinian film "Omar." (AP)

COMMENTARY:

Muhammad al-Durrah's father, Jamal, recounts the death of his 12-year-old son at the beginning of the second intifada. (Al Monitor)

Barak Ravid says both Israel and the Palestinians are working hard not to be blamed if Kerry's peace initiative fails. (Ha'aretz)

Chemi Shalev says cynics might be skeptical, but he strongly supports Kerry's efforts. (Ha'aretz)

George Hishmeh says Kerry needs to come up with a peace plan of his own. (Gulf News)

Gershon Baskin says negotiations need to be carried out by leaders, not in public. (Jerusalem Post)

Sigal Samuel looks at contradictory statements from Israeli cabinet ministers on policy towards a two-state solution. (Daily Beast/Open Zion)

Ahmed Charai says the Arab Peace Initiative is stuck in rivalry between Qatar and Saudi Arabia. (The National Interest)

Dalia Hatuqa says neither Hamas nor Fatah are ready for national unity. (The National)

Abeer Ayyoub says Israel's extension of Gaza fishing to six nautical miles off the coast is not enough. (Al Monitor)

Uri Misgav says Israel should embrace conscientious objectors who won't serve in the occupied territories as it did Gilad Shalit. (Ha'aretz)

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