Pres. Obama has telephone calls with Pres. Abbas and PM Netanyahu. (Reuters/AFP/Ha'aretz)

 

Netanyahu and Obama reportedly agree to continue to coordinate over peace talks with the Palestinians. (Xinhua)

 

A new Gallup poll shows Palestinians see peace as crucial to their future but are skeptical about the new talks. (Gallup)

 

Both Israelis and Palestinians are facing significant internal resistance to new negotiations. (Reuters)

 

Israel is opening a checkpoint in Hebron for the first time in 12 years as a "goodwill gesture." (Al Monitor)

 

Journalists in Gaza protest against Hamas closures of several key media outlets. (Ma'an)

 

Bedouins in Israel continue to fight a mass forced relocation program. (AP/Ma'an)

 

The Palestinian Cabinet condemns Israel's decision to block EU projects in "Area C" and Gaza. (PNN)

 

Israeli diplomats disavow responsibility for being caught off guard by the EU occupation guidelines. (Ha'aretz/Times of Israel)

 

Netanyahu and other Israeli MKs have an argument with Arab MKs over "who was there first." (Jerusalem Post)

 

Iran's new president describes Israel as "an old wound," which should be removed. (AP)

 

The BBC looks at Iran's annual "Jerusalem Day." (BBC)

 

Toronto bans a "Jerusalem Day" that has been held there in recent years. (The Forward)

 

Netanyahu welcomes new American sanctions on Iran. (Xinhua)

 

US embassies, including in Israel and across the Middle East, will be closed this Sunday for security reasons. (Xinhua)

 

West Bank water shortages force Palestinians to "lease" land from Israeli settlers. (Ha'aretz)

 

An Australian comedian satirizes the peace process in Jerusalem performances. (The Media Line)

 

Hamas warns of a "humanitarian crisis" in Gaza if the crossing with Egypt is not reopened. (Ahram Online)

 

Egypt's smuggling tunnel mass closures spell economic, and possibly political, disaster for Hamas. (Spiegel Online)

 

Ha'aretz profiles the family and experiences of a long-standing Palestinian prisoner in Israel. (Ha'aretz)

 

 

 

ATFP intern Rachel Bessette asks if Israelis are going to listen to their own security professionals who are unanimous that a two-state solution is essential. (Daily Beast/Open Zion)

 

Michael Cohen says Israel seems to be waking up to the fact that it has to choose between international isolation or ending the occupation. (The Guardian)

 

Stacie Goddard says referenda can be crucial to the success of  peace agreements. (New York Times)

 

Nathan Guttman says vehement criticism from both sides probably means Martin Indyk is a good choice for Special Envoy. (The Forward)

 

Claude Salhani also thinks Indyk might be up to a tough job. (Huffington Post)

 

Shlomi Eldar says it's necessary to fight off pessimism if peace talks are to succeed. (Al Monitor)

 

Frida Ghitis is fairly pessimistic. (Miami Herald)

 

Alan Berger says the parties have no option other than a two-state solution. (Boston Globe)

 

The Philadelphia Inquirer says Israeli-Palestinian peace isn't a Middle East panacea but it would be a huge step forward. (Philadelphia Inquirer)

 

Daniel Levy says, if the US really wants Middle East peace, it probably needs a new Israeli leadership and PM. (Ha'aretz)

 

Arnaud de Borchgrave says Netanyahu doesn't trust his chief negotiator, and she doesn't trust him. (UPI)

 

George Hishmeh says the American negotiating team needs more balance. (Jordan Times)

 

Maysoon Zayid says Palestinian prisoners are used as pawns in the peace process. (Daily Beast/Open Zion) 

 

Sayed Kashua says he yearns for the day when he won't be embarrassed to say openly he is a Palestinian citizen of Israel. (Ha'aretz)

 

Mazal Mualem interviews extremist Likud MK Gamliel, a strident opponent of peace. (Al Monitor)

 

Einat Wilf says some Israelis and Palestinians are attached to the status quo and feel threatened by peace talks. (Al Monitor)

 

Daniel Weinberg mocks the idea that Israel needs to make more concessions to the Palestinians. (Jerusalem Post)

 

Haviv Rettig Gur says a new Israeli electoral reform plan is actually a blessing in disguise for Arab citizens. (Times of Israel)

 

Ehud Yaari thinks Hamas may be losing its grip on Gaza. (WINEP)

 

Arad Nir says Turkey is stalling on reconciliation with Israel. (Al Monitor)

 

Gordon Lubold looks at how Sec. Hegel, once criticized by pro-Israel groups, is now considered a great friend. (Foreign Policy)

 

Bill Van Esveld says everyone is abusing Palestinians' human rights. (Human Rights Watch)