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News:
The US says its up to the Israelis and Palestinian to “pick up” peace talks. (Times of Israel/Jerusalem Post)
US Special Envoy Indyk will reportedly leave office. (Ma’an)
UNRWA releases an infographic on refugee fatalities and injuries at the hands of Israeli occupation forces in the West Bank in 2013. (UNRWA)
PM Netanyahu reportedly threatened to fire Chief Negotiator Livni over her meeting with Pres. Abbas. (Ha’aretz/Times of Israel)
Pope Francis is seeking balance in his visit to the “Holy Land.” (New York Times/Ha’aretz)
Hamas and Fatah will reportedly agree that PM Hamdallah will stay in office in a new Palestinian government. (Xinhua/AFP)
The EU bans poultry imports from Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank. (Times of Israel)
Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Steinitz says the Jordan Valley is crucial to Israel’s survival. (Jerusalem Post)
Meretz party leader Gal-on says Marwan Barghouti is the only possible successor to Abbas. (Times of Israel)
The World Bank approves a $40 million grant to the PA. (Ma’an)
Former Fatah official Dahlan says he will run in a future election. (Ma’an/AFP)
A survey indicates that Jewish Americans want more religious pluralism in Israel. (JTA)
The family of slain activist Rachel Corrie appeals their civil suit to the Israeli Supreme Court. (Xinhua/Times of Israel/AP)
Tunisia grants 30-day visas to Palestinian refugees fleeing Syria. (Ma’an)
Residents of Damascus fear Pres. Assad’s election will provoke a rebel onslaught. (Reuters)
Syrian government forces break a prison siege in Aleppo. (Reuters/AP)
The Nusra Front reaches the foothills of the occupied Golan Heights. (Reuters)
A UNSC vote that would refer Syria to the ICC will likely face a Russian veto. (AP/New York Times)
King Abdullah of Jordan and Pres. Obama discuss the impact of the Syria crisis. (Jordan Times)
The Muslim Brotherhood urges Egyptians to boycott the presidential election. (AP)
Gen. Haftar calls on Libyan top judicial authorities to form a new presidential council. (AP/Washington Post)
Commentary:
Dennis Ross says the Obama administration should declare that it is not walking away from the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.(New York Times)
Ha’aretz say Israeli government efforts to evict the Palestinian population of Area C is a violation of international law. (Ha’aretz)
Akiva Eldar says Israel is pushing the occupied West Bank toward an economic disaster. (Al-Monitor)
Gershon Baskin says Palestinians are fighting for exactly what Jews fought for:“freedom, independence and identity.”(Jerusalem Post)
George Hishmeh says Israeli extremists could disrupt Pope Francis’ visit to the “Holy Land.” (Gulf News)
Mohammed Othman says Salafists in Gaza expect pressure from the new Palestinian government. (Al-Monitor)
Shlomo Avineri says proposed “Jewish state” legislation in Israel will only hurt Netanyahu. (Ha’aretz)
Abdul Rahman Al Rashed says Russian protection will not save Assad. (Al Arabiya)
Anthony Elghossain says Hezbollah is terrified of a debate. (Now)
Joyce Karam says Lebanon is spiraling into an “ominous” presidential void. (Al Arabiya)
Michael Young says Gen. Aoun is still “eyeing” the Lebanese presidency. (The National)
Danya Greenfield and Adam Simpson say drone strikes in Yemen are not achieving US security goals. (The National)

News:

The US and the UN call for Israel to investigate the killing of two Palestinian teenagers on May 15. (Ma’an/PNN/Ha’aretz/JTA/Ynet)

The PLO accuses Israel of “deliberate execution” of two Palestinian teenagers. (AFP)

FM Lieberman rejects criticism over the killing of the Palestinian teenagers. (AFP)

Pres. Abbas says he will not seek membership in additional UN and other international organizations in the near future. (Times of Israel)

Hamas says Abbas is in the final stages of selecting unity government technocrats. (Ma’an)

Israeli occupation forces reportedly establish live-fire zones by expelling Palestinians from areas of the West Bank. (Ha’aretz)

Hamas leader Meshaal says Hamas has made concessions to Fatah but will not compromise on Israel. (Reuters)

Economy Minister Bennett says Israel must dismantle the West Bank security barrier to achieve peace with the Palestinians. (Jerusalem Post)

Former Fatah official Dahlan is reportedly sentenced in absentia to two years for “slander and defamation.” (Ma’an)

Pope Francis’ visit to the Holy Land comes in the context of a Christian exodus from the region. (AP)

Israeli police arrest four suspected Jewish extremists for carrying out “price tag” attacks. (Ha’aretz)

The Pentagon says Syria is starting to relinquish its remaining chemical weapons. (Reuters)

Fighting in Syria provides Hezbollah a new but diffused purpose. (New York Times)

Amnesty International says Syrian refugees lack medical care in Lebanon. (AP)

An Egyptian court sentences former Pres. Mubarak to three years for embezzlement. (Reuters/AP/New York Times)

Egyptian presidential candidate Sabahi is trying to rally youth behind him. (AP)

Iran and the IAEA end the nuclear talks with no signs of a breakthrough. (Reuters)

Two people are killed in Libya by gunfire explosions. (Reuters)

Libya sets new parliamentary elections for June 25th. (AP)

Iraqi Kurds re-elect Barzani as regional prime minister. (Xinhua)

Commentary:

Peter Beinart says the failure of Sec. Kerry’s initiative proves that “cuddling” with PM Netanyahu does not bring peace any closer. (Ha’aretz)

Michael Doran predicts the Obama administration will continue the peace process. (Mosaic)

Bennett explains his annexationist policies. (Wall Street Journal)

Rami Khouri says the US is being pragmatic with Hamas. (Daily Star)

Brent Sasley says Israel must not neglect Palestinian citizens of Israel. (Jerusalem Post)

The Media Line interviews Pres. of Al-Quds University Nusseibeh. (The Media Line)

Smadar Perry says the controversy between Lebanese journalist Hanin Ghaddar and Hezbollah is a symptom of broader Lebanese disagreements about Syria. (Ynet)

Hassan Hassan says the Syrian Islamic Front’s new covenant makes no reference to an Islamic state and rejects extremism. (The National)

Jonathan Stevenson says the US should go beyond diplomacy on Syria. (New York Times)

Khairallah Khairallah says it was the international community that failed Syria, not UN Special Envoy Brahimi. (Al Arabiya)

Dov Zakheim says Egypt’s presidential elections are a chance for the US to reset relations. (Foreign Policy)

Eric Trager says, despite all evidence, Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood thinks its winning. (New Republic)

Ali Ibrahim says the West is finally beginning to understand the phenomenon of Sisi’s growing popularity. (Asharq al-Awsat)

Osama Al Sharif says Libya needs a strong leader and Gen. Haftar has all the necessary qualities. (Jordan Times)

News:

B’tselem says Israeli occupation forces killed two Palestinian teenagers in the West Bank without justification.

A White House official says the US will work with a new Palestinian government.

A Fatah official says Abbas will not lead the new Palestinian government.

The Hamas-Fatah relationship is complicated by the legacy of killings.

Israeli Chief Negotiator Livni defends her meeting with Pres. Abbas.

Israeli Deputy DM Danon says a “silent freeze” has been placed on West Bank settlement expansion.

Hamas may be seeking to emulate Hezbollah in a new Palestinian arrangement.

Jailed Fatah leader Barghouthi will go on a hunger strike on Wednesday.

Israeli occupation forces arrest eight Palestinians in overnight raids.

Human Rights Watch strongly criticizes alleged abuses by Palestinian police.

Israeli occupation forces uproot olive trees near Bethlehem.

“YaLa Young Leaders” hold Middle East peace talks online.

Nobel laureate Karplus calls for “one state for two peoples, if two states is difficult” while visiting Al-Quds university.

Democrat Sen. Menendez withdraws a pro-Israel bill over an Iran amendment.

Field Marshall Sisi says Israel is in danger without Egypt’s army in Sinai.

Syrian government forces kill 13, including eight children.

Activists say a chlorine attack by Syrian government forces killed a teenager in Syria.

58 countries urge the UNSC to refer Syria to the ICC.

The US appears unlikely to quickly restore its close ties with Egypt, as it “stalls” more military aid.

The EU will monitor Egypt’s presidential election.

Egypt’s garbage collectors back Sisi in hopes of greater stability.

PM Maliki has won at least 94 parliament seats in the Iraqi national election.

The US is moving more forces closer to Libya as unrest grows.

The top commander of the Libyan army’s special forces says he will join forces with Gen. Haftar, who is challenging a controversial new government.

Commentary:

Hussein Ibish says attacks on dissenting journalists show how scared Hezbollah really is.

Hisham Melhem says the coordinated media campaign against Hanin Ghaddar is “crude and malicious.”

Hussein Ibish says the ADL global anti-Semitism survey is instructive but can also potentially be misleading.

Anat Saragusti says Jewish Americans should oppose the occupation.

Shaul Arieli says Abbas is stuck between his commitments to Israel and the US, and the demands by Hamas and the Palestinian public.

Geoffrey Aronson says the return of Hamas leader Abu Marzouk to Gaza signals the return of Egypt as a broker in Palestinian politics.

Shimon Shiffer says its hard being a Jewish American official.

Sarah Eltantawi analyses the “political theology” of the Muslim Brotherhood.

Faisal Al Yafai says Gulf security depends on the prosperity of its neighbors.

The LA Times asks if Pres. Assad should face a trial as a war criminal.

The Jordan Times says Jordan must take severe measures against terrorist groups like ISIS.

The Daily Star says the “chaotic situation” in Libya shows no signs of improving in the near future.

Abdul Rahman Al Rashed says without achieving security, development and reconciliation, Iraq will remain a battlefield.

News:
Pres. Abbas meets with Israeli Chief Negotiator Livni in London. (New York Times/Ha’aretz)
PM Netanyahu distances himself from Livni’s meeting with Abbas. (AP/Ha’aretz)
Pres. Obama reportedly hopes Netanyahu and Abbas will understand it is in their interests to renew talks. (Ha’aretz)
FM Lieberman says Israel must look beyond Abbas for peace partners. (Ha’aretz/Times of Israel)
Netanyahu blames PA incitement for reportedly high anti-Semitism rates in Gaza and the occupied West Bank. (Times of Israel)
Israel and the PLO eye political gains from Pope Francis’ visit to the Holy Land. (AFP)
Hamas says Abbas will announce the new Palestinian government next week. (Ha’aretz/AFP)
Hamas leader says the Gaza and West Bank governments will resign once a new government is agreed upon. (Ma’an)
Political arrests continue in the West Bank despite the Fatah-Hamas agreement. (Ma’an)
Jewish extremist settlers torch a private Palestinian field in Hebron. (Ma’an)
Israeli army reservists protest against “price tag” attacks in the occupied West Bank. (Ha’aretz/JTA/Times of Israel)
Israeli occupation forces arrest four Palestinians in Hebron and Bethlehem. (PNN)
Israel will elect a new president on June 10. (Jerusalem Post/Ynet/AFP)
Syrian opposition DM Mustafa resigns. (Reuters)
Pres. Assad extends his grip on central Syria. (Reuters)
The Chief of Syria’s Air Defense Ishaq dies in a battle near Damascus. (New York Times/Xinhua)
An Egyptian court jails more than 160 Muslim Brotherhood supporters for 15 years. (Reuters/AP/The National)
Libyan militias led by a former Gen. Haftar attack the parliament. (Washington Post/The National)
Libya’s army chief orders the deployment of Islamist-led militias to the capital. (AP)
Pres. Sleiman urges Hezbollah to leave Syria. (AP/Xinhua)

Commentary:
Michael Oren says Israel is not and will never be an “apartheid state.” (Los Angeles Times)
Saree Makdisi makes the case why the term “apartheid” fits Israel. (Los Angeles Times)
Benjamin Pogrund says the danger of Israel becoming an “apartheid state” is real and must be confronted. (Jewish Daily Forward)
Akiva Eldar says both Israel and the Palestinians should honor the Quartet's conditions .(Ha’aretz)
Abraham Foxman says “price tag” perpetrators should be vigorously investigated and prosecuted. (Ha’aretz)
Jeff Barak says many Knesset members are like “Hebrew neo-Nazis” in their disdain for minorities in Israel. (Jerusalem Post)
Sharif Nashashibi says Israel seeks to divide Palestinians along religious lines. (Al Arabiya)
Zeev Tzahor says the Fatah-Hamas agreement could increase the chances for peace. (Ynet)
John Whitbeck says Europe should try to do something useful for Israelis, Palestinians and peace. (Jordan Times)
Ha’aretz says Netanyahu prefers to “ride the fragments of hatred.” (Ha’aretz)
Hazem Balousha says a gifted Palestinian child artist from Gaza finds inspiration despite hardship. (Al-Monitor)
The Jordan Times says Hezbollah should not interfere in Maronite Patriarch Rai’s visit to the Holy Land. (Jordan Times)
Alasdair Soussi says the Syrian war is condemning its children to a desperate future. (The National)
Amer Al Sabaileh says the proliferation of terrorists and extremists in the Middle East poses a challenge to Jordan’s security. (Jordan Times)
Samir Sumaydee says a third premiership for PM Maliki would be disastrous for Iraq. (Asharq al-Awsat)
H.A. Hellyer says Arabs need to create new political ideologies. (Al Arabiya)
Mshari al-Zaydi says ruling Egypt is a “risky task.” (Asharq al-Awsat)
Rami Khouri says Iran’s role keeps on growing in the Middle East. (Daily Star)
News:
Sec. Kerry says he is concerned about the death of two Palestinians shot during a protest by the Israeli occupation forces. (AFP)
Amnesty International says Israeli forces were reckless in the killing of two protesters in the occupied West Bank. (PNN)
Germany will not give Israel a subsidy for the purchase of German gunboats due to the breakdown of the peace talks. (Ha’aretz)
Pope Francis’ trip to the Holy Land stirs diplomatic dilemmas. (AP)
Hamas leader Haniyeh says details of the merger of security forces with Fatah have been agreed. (Ma’an)
A PA official says the PA is considering ceasing security contacts with Israel. (Ma’an)
Pres. Abbas arrives in Venezuela to seek observer status in three Latin American regional organizations. (AFP/XInhua)
Israel bans Palestinian banks from making deposits in Israeli banks and will run Palestinian electricity at half-strength. (JTA)
Israeli Housing Minister Ariel want to see 50 percent more settlers in the occupied West Bank by 2019. (Reuters)
Economy Minister Bennett will present PM Netanyahu with a proposal to annex “Area C” of the occupied West Bank. (Jerusalem Post)
Jewish extremist settlers uproot 58 olive trees in the occupied West Bank. (Ma’an)
Israeli occupation forces are using drones to track “price tag” extremists in the West Bank. (Ha’aretz)
Netanyahu tells Def. Sec. Hagel world powers must deny Iran any possibility ofdeveloping a nuclear weapon. (AFP/JTA/Times of Israel)
Kerry calls the Syrian presidential election a “farce.” (AP/New York Times/Washington Post)
“Friends of Syria” will step up assistance for Syria’s moderate opposition. (The National)
China’s biggest arms maker says it has never exported chlorine gas to Syria. (Reuters)
Five aid workers, who were held captive in Syria are freed. (AP)
A car bomb kills more than 40 at the Syrian border crossing. (New York Times)
Thousands of civilians flee Falluja after intensified shelling by the Iraqi government. (Reuters)
An Egyptian court tells the three Al Jazeera journalists that they must pay to see evidence. (New York Times)
The US is concerned at the lack of progress in Iranian international nuclear talks. (Reuters/Ha’aretz)
Commentary:
David Ignatius thinks the Middle East peace process is in “tatters.” (Washington Post)
The Daily Star says the “Palestinian flame” is strong, and will burn until Palestinians win their rights. (Daily Star)
George Hishmeh says Netanyahu is not ready to recognize a Palestinian state. (Jordan Times)
Adnan Abu Amer says Hamas is worried about the improved ties between Israel and Turkey. (Al-Monitor)
B. Michael says Israel has adopted “Groucho Marxism” as its official policy. (Ha’aretz)
Yossi Sarid says Israel’s schools are frightening children with the Holocaust and the Intifada. (Ha’aretz)
Raed Omari says it is surprising that UN Syria Envoy Brahimi held on for this long. (Al Arabiya)
Fahmy Howeidy says Egyptians should not rely on the army to forge change. (Al Arabiya)
Geoffrey Aronson says Egyptian officials are focusing on their own politics for now, while expecting a protracted conflict in Syria. (Al-Monitor)
Samir Atallah says Libya wasted 40 years on Gaddafi’s “destructive and pointless rule”, and it is still hopelessly mired in chaos. (Asharq al-Awsat)
Ahmad Majdoubeh says the world lacks a unified strategy or mechanism to deal with terror. (Jordan Times)
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