NEWS:

Sec. Kerry concludes his latest trip to the region, saying he had "very positive discussions," and remaining upbeat about new negotiations. (New York Times/LA Times/AP)

Kerry's trip had been extended longer than initially planned, but still yielded no breakthrough. (New York Times/Reuters)

The election of extremist Likud leader Danon as party Chair raises further doubts about Israel's commitment to a two-state solution. (AP)

PM Netanyahu vows that any peace agreement must be put to a referendum.(Xinhua)

Analysts speculate Kerry may have succeeded in laying the groundwork for future progress, as acknowledged by Palestinian officials. (Xinhua)

Pres. Abbas reportedly tells Kerry Israel's "goodwill gestures" thus far are insufficient, but that Americans seem to understand the Palestinian position. (Xinhua/Ha'aretz)

Palestinian officials blame Israel for the lack of resolution on new talks. (UPI)

An Israeli cabinet minister says the timing of prisoner release is one of the remaining sticking points between the parties. (Times of Israel)

Hamas warns against "futile" negotiations with Israel. (Ma'an)

Israel's chief negotiator Livni says European boycotts of settlement products could extend to all Israeli goods. (Jerusalem Post)

Israel is adding additional incentives for prospective tenants of almost 1000 new settler housing units in occupied East Jerusalem. ( AFP)

A Jewish extremist is arrested by Israeli police for desecrating a monastery in the occupied West Bank. (Reuters)

Hamas deploys more forces around the Egyptian border. (Xinhua)

Arab Idol winner Mohammad Assaf will hold three free concerts across the West Bank in July. (Ma'an)

Assaf's success continues to put Hamas in an extremely difficult position. (Al Arabiya)

A new study suggests Israel collects $11 million a year from Palestinians in identity card fees. (PNN)

Prof. Meron Medzini leads historical tours around Israel and the occupied territories. (Christian Science Monitor)

Hussein al-Deik wins the Palestinian "The President" reality TV show. (NPR)

COMMENTARY:

Leonard Fein calls extremist leaders like Danon "Israel's most dangerous enemies." (The Forward)

Ha'aretz calls Israel's settlement and occupation activity in the South Hebron Hills "annexation in disguise." (Ha'aretz)

Yitzhak Laor asks if Israel would have freed Nelson Mandela if he had been a Palestinian. (Ha'aretz)

Sharif Nashashibi says the political vacuum in Ramallah might help focus the attention of the Palestinian people on the need for change. (Al Arabiya)

Ahmed Aldabba explains why he prefers to live in Gaza than in Egypt. (Christian Science Monitor)

The National says Kerry's latest efforts leave little grounds for optimism. (The National)

Barak Ravid says, even if Kerry doesn't succeed in restarting negotiations, he's trying harder than anyone else. (Ha'aretz)

Raphael Ahren says, given Kerry's confidence, either he's afraid of "humiliating failures" or he knows something the rest of us know. (Times of Israel)

The Daily Star accuses Israel of "sabotaging peace." (The Daily Star)

Shlomi Eldar says the Palestinian Interaction Committee was another excellent initiative that failed from the outset. (Al Monitor)

Haviv Rettig Gur says, by placing himself above party politics, PM Netanyahu may have squandered control of the Likud. (Times of Israel)

Amos Harel says the turmoil in the Middle East has reduced the threats Israel, at least for now. (Ha'aretz)

Merav Betito says there's a double standard in Israel for Jewish and Arab convicted felons. (YNet)

Rebecca Rachmany says Israel is, indeed, an apartheid state, and she thinks that's a good thing and that Israelis believe in equality anyway. (Times of Israel)

Bakr Oweida says the success of Mohammed Assaf shows the limitations of Hamas' rule in Gaza. (Asharq Al Awsat)

Amira Hass says Palestinian creativity is flourishing all over, not just through Assaf. (Ha'aretz)

Emily Hauser asks why, since McDonald's settlement boycott is 20 years old, settlers are so upset now. (Daily Beast/Open Zion)

Yossi Mekelberg says, given a continued deadlock, a third intifada is a real possibility, but would be very dangerous for Palestinians. (Al Arabiya)