Daily News Issue Date: 
January 16, 2014
News: 

News:

PM Netanyahu says he does not want a bi-national state. (Xinhua)

Netanyahu makes a surprise visit to Jordan. (AP/Los Angeles Times)

Israel strikes Gaza after militants fire rockets injuring five people. (AP/Ma’an)

The Palestinian film “Omar” is nominated for an Oscar. (Ha’aretz)

Netanyahu reportedly held an offshore bank account in the Channel Islands from 1999-2003. (Ynet)

Fatah calls on Hamas to respond to its reconciliation proposal. (Ma’an)

Israel’s security agency Shin Bet thwarts an alleged Hamas plot to kidnap Israelis. (Xinhua)

Israeli occupation forces detain three Hamas leaders in Hebron. (Ma’an)

Israeli activists release giant helium balloons to protest settler attacks against Palestinians. (AP/Ha’aretz) 

Protesters demonstrate in Bethlehem in support of striking UNRWA employees. (PNN)

The latest Congressional spending bill includes $3.1 billion for Israel. (JTA) 

Israel bans the use of the word "Nazi" as an epithet and use of Holocaust-related symbols in non-educational contexts. (The New York Times)

An Egyptian official says 90% of voters have approved the constitution. (AP)

A car bomb in Lebanon close to the Syrian border kills three people. (AP)

The trial of the four men accused of murdering former Lebanese PM Hariri has begun at The Hague. (BBC)

Iran offers to withdraw its forces and Hezbollah’s from Syria in an effort to mend relations with Saudi Arabia. (Jordan Times)

The UN says an Al-Qaeda-inspired group in Syria is committing mass executions. (AP)

The war in Syria triggers a spike in gun sales in Jordan. (AFP)

Security officials suspect Al-Qaeda militants attacked a military camp in Yemen, killing at least 12 soldiers. (AP/Xinhua)

The future King of Bahrain meets with top Shiite opposition leaders. (AP)

Iran invites Gulf states to visit a nuclear power plant. (AFP)

Commentary:

Ha'aretz asks if DM Ya'alon's harsh comments about Sec. Kerry are shared by Netanyahu. (Ha’aretz)

Ari Shavit says Ya’alon’s comments show he doesn’t understand the real threat to Israel is losing the US. (Ha’aretz) 

Zvi Bar'el says Israel should drop "God" from its politics and treat Palestinians and the US as partners for peace. (Ha’aretz)

George Hishmeh says the US should twist Israel’s arm to reach a peace deal with the Palestinians. (The Gulf News)

Akiva Eldar says FM Lieberman's plan for relocating Palestinian citizens of Israel has no demographic or strategic value. (Al Monitor)

Ali Gharib says Menendez-Kirk bill supporters on the Hill will suffer in future elections if they cause a war with Iran. (Ha’aretz)

Peter Beinart says the Menendez-Kirk bill is about ending all possibility of a nuclear deal with Iran. (Ha’aretz)

Mustafa Barghouthi expresses dismay at Quartet envoy Blair’s praise of late PM Sharon. (Ha’aretz)

Elka Looks says the Jewish-American community should counter BDS and educate for a two-state solution. (Ha’aretz)

Yitzhak Klein says suspension of due process is not a proper remedy for the incompetence of Israel’s police. (The Jerusalem Post)

Eyad Abu Shakra says the aim of the Geneva II conference is to end the revolution in Syria and rehabilitate Assad. (Asharq Alawsat)

The National advocates for a political solution to the conflict in Syria, and says a military option is now impossible. (The National)

David Cortright says Iran must be allowed to play a role in the Geneva II peace talks. (CS Monitor)

David Bukay says the Middle East region and the international arena will pay for Obama’s “tragic” policies. (The Jerusalem Post)

David Ignatius says in the future the US will be less vulnerable to Middle East turmoils because of its prudent energy policy. (The Daily Star)

Rami Khouri says the Special Tribunal for Lebanon should be judged on its merits. (The Daily Star)

The Jordan Times says by asking Jordan’s King to mediate with Saudi Arabia, Iran seems to be opening a new page with the Arab world. (Jordan Times)

Francis Matthew says the UAE is a model for other Arab states to follow. (The Gulf News)


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