News:

France calls for an international Israeli-Palestinian peace conference and says it will recognize a Palestinian state if peace efforts fail. (Reuters/Ha’aretz/Times of Israel/Jerusalem Post)

Danish lawmakers say, too, will vote on recognizing the State of Palestine. (Ha’aretz/Times of Israel) 

Pres. Abbas tells a group of South African Jews that he is committed to a two-state solution. (JTA/Jerusalem Post)

FM Lieberman says Palestinian citizens of Israel should be offered financial incentives toleave the country. (Reuters/AP/Ha’aretz/Jerusalem Post)

Former Pres. Peres says the “Jewish nation-state” bill risks generating a religious conflagration. (JTA)

Israeli occupation forces shoot an Italian man during protests near Nablus. (Ma’an)

Israel says a Hamas ring plotted attacks in the West Bank. (New York Times/JTA)
 

Turkey denies allowing Hamas to operate in its territory. (Times of Israel/Ynet)

Israeli police arrest a Palestinian teenager in Hebron for allegedly planning a stabbing attack. (Ha’aretz)

Egypt is reportedly considering re-opening the Rafah crossing next week. (Ma’an)

UNRWA declares a state of emergency in Gaza amid severe flooding. (Ma’an/JTA/Ynet)

Conflicting policies on Syria and ISIS erode US standing in the Middle East. (New York Times)

ISIS extremists block all mobile phone networks in Mosul. (The National)

The Syrian regime denies targeting civilians. (Reuters)

In Syria, desperate residents see little hope in the UN Aleppo peace plan. (Reuters)

Moderate Syrian rebels push forward in Southern Syria. (AP)

The rise of young Sunni extremists pose a new threat to Lebanon. (Washington Post)

Egyptians are bracing for potential violence ahead of a planned major Islamist protest. (AP)

Pope Francis begins a visit to Turkey. (Reuters/AP/Ynet) 

Commentary:

Amir Tibon looks at the “secret negotiations” between Netanyahu Rep. Molcho and Abbas’ representative. (New Republic)

Former Mossad Chief Shabtai Shavit says, for the first time, he fears for the future of Zionism. (Ha’aretz)

Oudeh Basharat says Palestinians from occupied East Jerusalem are born into a reality of occupation. (Ha’aretz)

Avi Issacharoff looks at why residents of Balata refugee camp feel abandoned by both Abbas and the UN. (Times of Israel)

Ha’aretz says increasing Israel’s police power is a dangerous step. (Ha’aretz)

David Horovitz says PM Netanyahu knows that he’s the best leader Israel can call on. (Times of Israel)

Ben Sales looks at why Pres. Rivlin opposed Netanyahu’s “Jewish nation-state” bill. (Jewish Daily Forward)

George Hishmeh looks at Netanyahu’s “Jewish nation-state” bill. (Jordan Times)

Raphael Ahren says international criticism of the proposed “Jewish nation-state” bill is exacerbated by the lack of peace talks. (Times of Israel)

Michael Brenner says neither Theodor Herzl nor Ze’ev Jabotinsky would have approved of the proposed Israeli "Jewish State" law. (Times of Israel)

Atef Abu Saif looks at the “other Gaza.” (Ynet)

Robert Casey says the American plan to destroy ISIS extremists must also include taking down Pres. Assad. (Washington Post)

Noah Bonsey says current American policy against ISIS is doomed to failure if its not revised. (Foreign Policy)

The National says ISIS must be fought in youth forums. (The National)

Michael Herzog says Israel views the extension of Iran talks as the lesser of two evils. (Al-Monitor)

Michael Young says the US is “crippled” in the Middle East. (Daily Star)

Eyad Abu Shakra asks what Iran’s future regional role might be. (Asharq al-Awsat)