Daily News Issue Date: 
July 31, 2013
News: 
NEWS:
 
Sec. Kerry says the goal of the new Israeli-Palestinian negotiations is an agreement within the next nine months. (State Department/New York Times/AP)
 
second round of talks is scheduled in two weeks, with all core issues on the table. (Ha'aretz/Los Angeles Times)
 
The US reportedly gave Israel and the Palestinians letters of assurance in order to facilitate talks. (Ha'aretz)
 
Negotiators also met with Pres. Obama. (JTA/Washington Post)
 
The Middle East Quartet welcomes the resumption of Israeli-Palestinian talks. (Xinhua/AP)
 
American officials reportedly say they pushed for talks to avoid a "train wreck" at the UN in September. (Ha'aretz/Times of Israel)
 
Skepticism remains high, especially among Palestinians. (Reuters/YNet/Times of Israel)
 
Negotiations have begun, but so far there has apparently been little progress. (Daily Beast)
 
Israeli media report PM Netanyahu promised the Jewish Home party thousands of new settlement units to keep them in the coalition. (Times of Israel)
 
Israel's chief negotiator Livni says her cabinet colleagues have "a collective responsibility" to support the peace process. (Jerusalem Post)
 
The Palestinian flag is raised in the Knesset during a meeting of the pro-peace caucus. (Jerusalem Post)
 
Human Rights Watch asks the PA to investigate the reported beating of anti-negotiation protesters. (AP/Ma'an)
 
The PA is set to transfer $17 million in EU aid to Palestinian hospitals in occupied East Jerusalem. (Ma'an/YNet/The Media Line)
 
Hamas dismisses Egyptian allegations about the group's activities as "preposterous." (Al Monitor)
 
Palestinians are still reportedly buying settlement goods despite PA efforts to ban them. (Al Monitor)
 
Extremist settlers reportedly attack Palestinian workers and vehicles near Nablus. (Ma'an)
 
Arab Idol winner Mohammed Assaf is scheduled to perform in Bethlehem on Thursday. (Ma'an)
 
 
COMMENTARY:
 
Daniel Kurtzer and Gilead Sher say now Kerry has to lay out "an American view of the parameters of a final peace settlement." (Los Angeles Times)
 
Ami Ayalon, Gilead Sher and Orni Petruschka say Israel should renounce claims to key areas of the West Bank and facilitate voluntary resettlement of settlers. (Christian Science Monitor)
 
Brent Sasley asks what's different about these negotiations. (Daily Beast/Open Zion)
 
David Horovitz says there are seven things different about this American approach to seeking peace. (Times of Israel)
 
Robert Danin explains the reasons for widespread cautious pessimism . (CNN)
 
Rami Khouri suggests what to look for in the unfolding negotiations. (The Daily Star)
 
Dmitry Shumsky says Netanyahu wouldn't be betraying his ideological roots by agreeing to a Palestinian state. (Ha'aretz)
 
Nahum Barnea says Netanyahu should be more honest with the Israeli public about the reasons for his actions. (YNet)
 
Nathan Guttman and Joyce Karam separately look at the role of new Middle East Special Envoy Martin Indyk. (The Forward/Al Arabiya)
 
The Times of Israel interviews Deputy FM Elkin, who says Netanyahu is wrong to consider a Palestinian state. (Times of Israel)
 
Mustafa Barghouti says the world must act to end Israel's occupation. (Arab News)
 
The Jerusalem Post says it supports an agreement but doesn't trust Palestinian sincerity. (Jerusalem Post)
 
Mazal Mualem says Israel's prisoner release debate was filled with hypocrisy. (Al Monitor)
 
Rachel Shabi says the EU is being more proactive in promoting peace than the US. (The National)
 
Alan Baker says the EU is taking a hypocritical attitude towards Israel. (Ha'aretz)
 
Liam Hoare says Israel will always be a subject of disproportionate emotions, both positive and negative. (Ha'aretz)

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