Daily News Issue Date: 
February 21, 2014
News: 
News:
Sec. Kerry asks Pres. Abbas to extend peace talks with Israel for an additional nine months. (Xinhua)
A Palestinian official says the ideas Kerry presented to Abbas could not serve as the basis for a framework agreement. (The Jerusalem Post/The National)
US Amb. to Israel Shapiro says framework agreement will include Palestinian recognition of Israel as a “Jewish state.” (The Times of Israel)
A PLO official says there is a possibility that the Palestinian leadership could recognize Israel as a “Jewish state.” (Ma’an)
Pres. Peres says there is no alternative to peace with the Palestinians. (Xinhua)
Israeli right-wing lawmakers warn PM Netanyahu against settlement freeze. (Ha’aretz)
Israeli Interior minister Sa’ar claims the Jordan River Valley will “prosper for agesunder Israeli sovereignty.” (Ynet)
A group of Israelis plans to lobby the Knesset to declare the country a “Jewish state” by law. (AP)
Israel debates a bill that would ban NGOs that deny Israel’s “Jewish character.” (Ha’aretz)
A Palestinian official denies Israeli reports about a joint Palestinian-Israeli committee to solve environmental problems. (Xinhua)
PLO official Ashrawi meets with a J Street delegation in Ramallah. (Ma’an/Ynet)
Six Palestinians are injured in clashes after extremist Jewish settlers attack a high school near Nablus. (Ma’an)
Israel questions a Palestinian citizen of Israel over Facebook remark. (Ha’aretz)
An Israeli anti-racism group petitions Israeli government to compensate Palestinian citizens of Israel targeted by “price tag” extremists. (Ha’aretz)
Gaza’s unemployment rate increases. (Reuters)
Oscar nominated film “Omar” hits US theaters today. (The Times of Israel)
The UN Security Council will vote on the Syria aid resolution on Saturday. (Reuters)
The Syrian army intensifies its aerial bombardment of southern areas. (AP)
Iran boosts military support of Assad regime. (Reuters)
Syria offers to work with Lebanon in fighting terrorism. (The Daily Star) 
Saudi Interior Minister Prince Mohammed bin Nayef is reshaping Saudi’s domestic policies against Islamist militancy. (Reuters)
In Egypt, three Al Jazeera journalists plead not guilty. (The New York Times/AP)
Egypt’s population reaches 94 million. (Xinhua) 
Lebanese security forces detain a militant suspected of recruiting suicide bombers. (Reuters)
21 people are killed in attacks across Iraq. (The New York Times/The National)
The EU says Iran nuclear talks are off to “a good start.” (AP)
Arab governments are poised to increase Arabic web content. (The Jordan Times)
Commentary:
Ha’aretz says the Israeli government must stop kowtowing to the settlers. (Ha’aretz)
George Hishmeh calls on Pres. Obama and Netanyahu to revisit their policies in the Middle East. (The Jordan Times)
Yossi Sarid says “yes to a boycott” of the Israeli settlements. (Ha’aretz)
 
Uri Savir says Israel must make every possible effort to help Kerry. (The Jerusalem Post)
Michael Gerson says a Somalia-like future for Syria would be an uncontainable regional and global threat. (The Washington Post)
Fouad Ajami says it would be a moral stain to see Pres. Assad’s reign outlasting that of Obama. (The Wall Street Journal)
J.J. Goldberg says the new escalation of American involvement in Syria is due to the stalemate in Geneva. (The Jewish Daily Forward)
The Gulf News says Lebanon’s “fragile peace” is in danger. (The Gulf News)
Ahmad Majdoubeh says there are no quick solutions to the problems in the Middle East, and democracy takes time. (The Jordan Times)
PM Maliki says Iraq is using all the political, economic, and military tools at its disposal in its effort to defeat al-Qaeda. (Foreign Policy)
Sami Moubayed says Iran might be behind Sadr’s decision of early retirement from Iraqi politics. (The Gulf News)
George Weidenfeld says Europe should help foster peace in the Middle East as an “unbiased mediator.” (Project Syndicate)
Anne-Marie Slaughter says Germany and other EU countries must step up as the US steps down from its role as a “global policeman.” (Project Syndicate)
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