News:

Sec. Kerry meets PM Netanyahu to try to advance peace talks. (AP/AFP)

Kerry is pushing both sides on the new American security proposal. (Washington Post)

Pres. Abbas reportedly explains his concerns about US security proposal to Kerry. (Xinhua)

Kerry may be pushing for a summit meeting between Netanyahu and Abbas. (Times of Israel)

Kerry's mission is taking place amid a rapidly changing regional landscape. (Wall Street Journal)

The EU reportedly proposes massive incentives including billions of euros to Israel and the Palestinians to make peace. (Ha'aretz)

Other European measures are rekindling Israeli fears of widespread boycotts. (Financial Times)

After a massive outcry from many quarters, Israel postpones plans for mass forced Bedouin relocation. (New York Times/AP/Times of Israel)

1,000 Bedouins are still facing eviction in the Negev desert. (AFP)

A Palestinian teenager is indicted for stabbing an Israeli soldier. (Times of Israel)

Israeli and Palestinian officials agree to coordinate civilian emergency responses. (Jerusalem Post)

Palestinians express concern that divisions between nationalists and Islamists become almost permanent. (AP)

Hamas cancels all anniversary celebrations due to terrible finances and weather conditions. (Ma'an)

Arab foreign ministers will meet in Cairo on December 21 to discuss the Palestinian issue. (Xinhua)

The EU and Israel finalize a new air traffic agreement. (Ha'aretz)

Hillel's leadership insists it will enforce limitations on free speech despite the recent vote at Swarthmore. (JTA)

The White House announces new list of Iranian companies to be targeted by existing sanctions. (New York Times/AP)

Iran criticizes the new sanctions list. (Xinhua)

UN says chemical weapons have been repeatedly used in Syria. (New York Times/AP)

Former CIA chief Hayden says a victory for Pres. Assad in Syria is "the best of three very bad outcomes." (AFP)

Many are feared killed in a rebel attack near Damascus. (AP)

Syrian refugees in Jordan complain about bad and worsening conditions. (Xinhua)

A film critiquing the Saudi Royal family opens in Damascus. (AP)

A drone strike in Yemen kills 11 people, including Al Qaeda suspects and civilians. (New York Times)

Drone strikes in Yemen are gaining Al Qaeda new sympathy. (Reuters)

22 inmates reportedly escape prison in Iraq in a violent breakout. (AP/Reuters)

Egyptian DM Sisi reportedly says of the late Pres. Sadat appeared to him in a dream. (Times of Israel)

Tunisian parties agree on a new prime minister to lead a caretaker government. (BBC)

A new report suggests the Arab film industry operating well below its potential. (Xinhua)

Saudi Arabia's grand mufti deems suicide bombers "criminals." (AFP)

Turkey reaches out to Armenia but offers no apology. (Al Monitor)

Commentary:

Jonathan Brown says Palestinians can't go running anymore without fear of getting shot by Israeli soldiers. (The Economist)

Mustafa Barghouti explains what Nelson Mandela meant to the Palestinian people. (Foreign Policy)

The Daily Star says the US needs to show that it can start to stand up to Israel on peace. (The Daily Star)

Matthew Kalman satirizes the peace process as if it were a Hollywood film. (Daily Beast)

Roy Isacowitz says if Netanyahu is sincerely praising Mandela, he knows where that logic leads. (Ha'aretz)

Zvi Hauser looks at new difficulties regarding a possible Israeli withdrawal from the occupied Syrian Golan Heights. (Ha'aretz)

Nathan Guttman says the American Studies Association vote supporting boycotting Israel is symbolically important but will have little practical impact. (The Forward)

Yossi Alpher looks at how regional dynamics are affecting Israeli-Palestinian peace prospects. (NOREF)

Paul Adams says the rise of Syrian Islamists is causing many to rethink the future of Assad. (BBC)

Asharq Al-Awsat interviews Syrian opposition's interim government PM Tu’mah. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

James Denselow says the US can't do much to stop the fighting in Syria until it develops a grand strategy for the region. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Andrew Parasiliti interviews Samy Gemayel about Hezbollah's intervention in Syria and its impact in Lebanon. (Al Monitor)

Nasser Chararah says Lebanon's northern city of Tripoli has become a microcosm of the Syrian conflict. (Al Monitor)

Lally Weymouth interviews Tunisian politicians Rachid Ghannouchi and Beji Caid Essebsi. (Washington Post)

The CSM notes that senior Muslim clerics are becoming more angrily outspoken against suicide bombings. (Christian Science Monitor)

The Gulf News says Gulf states are right to welcome Iran's new, more "moderate" posture. (Gulf News)

Alan Philps says Russia is in no position to become a major player in the Middle East. (The National)