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NEWS:
 
Former Pres. Morsi is arrested on espionage charges, mainly related to collaboration with Hamas. (AP/AFP)
 
Hamas denounces Morsi's arrest. (AFP)
 
Egypt bans Gaza fishermen from fishing in its territorial waters. (Al Monitor)
 
Hamas shuts down several media outlets in Gaza, Including Al Arabiya and Ma'an. (New York Times/Xinhua/Ma'an)
 
The media office closures in Gaza are widely condemned by Palestinians. (Ma'an)
 
Hamas is trying to bolster local support through mobilizing and controlling the Gaza mosque system. (Al Monitor)
 
Peace talks are set to resume, but obstacles remain. (NPR)
 
PM Netanyahu's personal aide Molcho will be attending the new talks in Washington. (The Forward)
 
A broad range of Jewish Americans write a letter of encouragement to Netanyahu as he reenters negotiations. (JTA)
 
In comments at the UN, Sec. Kerry refers to Palestine as a "country." (AFP)
 
Years of quiet diplomacy led Kerry to be able to relaunch Israeli-Palestinian talks. (Daily Beast)
 
Israel's strategic affairs minister says the country is willing to make "serious territorial concessions." (Daily Telegraph)
 
Israeli officials say they will limit new settlement housing tenders to 1,000 during peace talks. (Ha'aretz/Times of Israel)
 
Palestinians are pushing for the introduction of 3G smart phone service in the West Bank. (Christian Science Monitor)
 
Israel says it will respond to new EU guidelines by not cooperating with EU projects and representatives in the West Bank. (Ha'aretz/The Guardian)
 
EU officials attend an Israeli occupation civil administration planning meeting about "Area C." (Ha'aretz)
 
Israel's plan for the forced mass resettlement of Bedouins in southern Israel is widely seen as discriminatory. (New York Times)
 
Israeli human rights groups say the Atty. Gen. is "playing games" with a wildcat "unauthorized" settlement outpost. (YNet)
 
Rights groups also say only 8.5% of investigations into crimes against Palestinians in the occupied territories lead to indictments. (Jerusalem Post)
 
Fighting rages in the largest Palestinian refugee camp in Syria. (AP)
 
Israeli occupation forces arrest a Palestinian man they say was planning to shoot at a bus in the West Bank. (Xinhua)
 
The scheduled opening of an Israeli clothing chain store branch in Ramallah causes controversy on both sides. (AP)
 
Palestinian, Israeli, Jordanian and Japanese officials meet to discuss opening a West Bank industrial park. (Xinhua)
 
Militants appear to continue to gain strength in the Sinai Peninsula. (Los Angeles Times)
 
Israeli officials complain Turkey is trying to humiliate, and not reconcile with, Israel. (Jerusalem Post)
 
 
COMMENTARY:
 
Hussein Ibish looks at growing tensions between Hamas and the Egyptian military and new government. (Daily Beast/Open Zion)
 
The New York Times says Kerry deserves credit for his perseverance on Middle East peace. (New York Times)
 
Aaron David Miller lists five reasons why Kerry might be optimistic about real progress. (Washington Post)
 
Gadi Baltiansky and Nidal Foqaha say a peace deal can be a win-win for Israelis and Palestinians. (YNet)
 
Bradley Burston says he's confident there will be peace. (Ha'aretz)
 
Christopher Dickey says, despite the risks, pursuing Israeli-Palestinian peace is the Obama administration's best chance to influence the direction of the Middle East. (Daily Beast)
 
Ahmad Majdoubeh says peace is possible and Pres. Obama and Kerry deserve applause for their initiative. (Jordan Times)
 
Uri Dromi says everyone should support the new peace initiative. (Miami Herald)
 
George Hishmeh says, with its new occupation guidelines, the EU has taken the lead in the quest for peace. (Gulf News)
 
Shlomi Eldar notes Netanyahu likes some EU decisions and hates others. (Al Monitor)
 
Jeffrey Goldberg says Israel should take warnings about the occupation from top US generals very seriously. (Bloomberg)
 
Patrick Smith says Israel should pay close attention to the implications of the new EU occupation guidelines. (Salon)
 
Abraham Foxman encourages the US Supreme Court to overturn the ruling that Americans born in Jerusalem cannot cite Israel as country of birth. (Ha'aretz)
 
Amira Hass says Israel's new railway plan in the occupied Palestinian territories will face hundreds of objections. (Ha'aretz)
NEWS:
 
 
PM Netanyahu is pushing forward with legislation that would subject any peace agreement to areferendum. (Jerusalem Post)
 
Gaza's economy continues to suffer due to Egypt's crackdown on Hamas' smuggling tunnels and border restrictions. (New York Times/AP)
 
Pres. Abbas will visit Cairo on Sunday to discuss Egyptian-Palestinian relations, border issues and more. (PNN)
 
The PLO presents a plan for ending violence at Palestinian refugee camps in Syria. (Ma'an)
 
Three Palestinians are injured in confrontations with Israeli occupation forces near Jenin. (Ma'an)
 
Palestinians accuse Israel of seeking new policies to strip them of Jerusalem residency. (PNN)
 
Analysts doubt the US Supreme Court will reverse an appellate court ruling that Americans born in Jerusalem cannot cite Israel as their country of birth. (Jerusalem Post)
 
Israel is pushing forward with a massive railway project in the occupied Palestinian territories that ignores borders. (Ha'aretz/Times of Israel)
 
A retired senior US general says settlements are liable to turn Israel into "an apartheid state."(Ha'aretz)
 
Israel and Turkey disagree regarding a compensation package for the deadly flotilla incident. (AP)
 
Hezbollah's leader warns of "EU complicity in future Israeli aggression against Lebanon." (Xinhua/AFP)
 
Israel reportedly attempted to capture Hamas' military chief in 2008. (Times of Israel)
 
The EU has launched a €21 million construction project for seven courthouses and the headquarters' building of the Palestinian Bar Association. (PNN)
 
Israeli architects work to promote peace. (Ha'aretz)
 
Quiet high-tech deals are reshaping aspects of the Israeli-Palestinian relationship. (Forbes)
 
Evangelical Christian American supporters of Israel slam the Obama administration's peace efforts. (The Forward)
 
A car bomb explodes prematurely, killing three militants, as violence continues to spread in Sinai. (Times of Israel)
 
 
COMMENTARY:
 
David Ignatius says Sec. Kerry has made surprising progress on reviving Middle East peace talks. (Washington Post)
 
The LA Times expresses strong support for Kerry's efforts. (Los Angeles Times)
 
Noah Klieger says the new talks will yield nothing, as usual. (YNet)
 
Daniel Levy says, despite reasonable skepticism, Kerry's initiative might actually work. (Foreign Policy)
 
Fareed Zakaria calls Kerry's efforts "a fool's errand worth pursuing." (Time)
 
Henry Siegman says the Obama administration has to be willing to pay the political price for pressuring Israel to make progress on peace. (Ha'aretz)
 
Natan Sachs says the new talks require a "safety net" and potential interim measures in case of failure. (Foreign Policy)
 
Karl Vick lists nine reasons why the talks might fail. (Time)
 
Shlomo Brom looks at the complexities about "talks about talks" from the Israeli perspective. (INSS)
 
Edward Beck says any agreement will depend on unity and consensus among all parties. (Jerusalem Post)
 
Gideon Levy says the idea of a referendum on peace is a "smokescreen" but both peoples do need to be consulted. (Ha'aretz)
 
Israel Harel says, despite the rhetoric, Netanyahu has already agreed to talks based on the 1967 borders. (Ha'aretz)
 
Gordon Robison says Israelis and Palestinians have agreed to negotiate mainly to maintain good relations with Washington. (Gulf News)
 
Akiva Eldar says many patriotic Israelis support the EU guidelines on noncooperation with the occupation. (Al Monitor)
 
Mazal Mualem interviews Peace Now chair Yariv Oppenheimer, who says the EU guidelines helped push Israel back into talks. (Al Monitor)
 
The Jerusalem Post complains Palestinians don't appreciate Israel's "goodwill gestures." (Jerusalem Post)
 
J.J. Goldberg says retired Gen. Mattis is right, the US must act with urgency towards a two-state solution in its own vital national interests. (The Forward)
 
J.J. Goldberg also says Netanyahu's biggest opponents on peace will be some of his own closest colleagues. (The Forward)
 
The LA Times agrees with an appellate court ruling that Americans born in Jerusalem cannot list Israel as their country of birth. (Los Angeles Times)
 
David Makovsky says Hamas needs to reevaluate its policies following the ouster of former Pres. Morsi. (Al Hayat)
 
Jeffrey Goldberg says ultimately peace requires removing Hamas from power in Gaza. (Bloomberg)
 
Hassan Tahsin says it is essential for everyone that all Gaza smuggling tunnels be permanently closed. (Al Arabiya)
 
Alan Elsner says all parties have a stake in reviving the health of the Palestinian economy. (The Jewish Chronicle)
NEWS:
 
A US federal appeals court rules Americans born in Jerusalem cannot list "Israel" as their country of birth. (AP)
 
Palestinian and Israeli negotiators are still expected to visit Washington next week. (Xinhua)
 
Palestinian negotiators say they are still seeking assurances on 67 Lines and prisoner release before talks resume. (PNN)
 
The CSM finds even some skeptical experts see value in renewed negotiations. (Christian Science Monitor)
 
Palestinian nonviolent protesters are worried about the potential impact of failed negotiations. (Al Monitor)
 
Israeli and Palestinian representatives exchange accusations at the UN. (Times of Israel)
 
PM Netanyahu clarifies that the fate of the West Bank must be included in any referendum on a peace deal with the Palestinians. (AP)
 
Finance Minister Lapid also backs the idea of a referendum. (Jerusalem Post)
 
55% of Israelis say they are inclined to vote for a peace agreement. (Ha'aretz)
 
Settlers are reportedly worried that the ultra-Orthodox will go along with a peace agreement in exchange for government funding. (Ha'aretz)
 
Netanyahu insists there is no unspoken settlement freeze in place, but his Housing Minister disputes this. (YNet)
 
Experts say by calling for referenda on agreements, both Israeli and Palestinian leaders are keeping their options open. (Xinhua)
 
Hamas says Fatah has to choose between national reconciliation and negotiating with Israel. (Xinhua)
 
Hamas says Egypt is plotting to restore its rule in Gaza. (Jerusalem Post)
 
The UN says an Egyptian tunnel crackdown and Israeli restrictions have resulted in severe shortages in Gaza. (Ma'an)
 
Egypt's closure of an estimated 80% of smuggling tunnels cost Gaza's economy an estimated$230 million in June.(Reuters/Ma'an)
 
Israel says it is preparing for an even bigger Egyptian counter-offensive against extremists in Sinai. (Jerusalem Post/Times of Israel)
 
Three more Palestinian refugees are reportedly killed in fighting in Syria. (Ma'an)
 
Facing a court deadline on Thursday, Jewish settlers in "Amona" outpost conduct a token self-eviction. (Los Angeles Times)
 
Controversy erupts over Israeli security involvement in settler youth programs. (YNet)
 
The Chinese government is accused of meeting with Israeli counterterrorism officials toorganize a cover-up in a Bank of China terrorism lawsuit. (Ha'aretz)
 
Israeli experts worry that Hamas and Hezbollah missile capabilities are outstripping Israel's defenses. (Ha'aretz)
 
Israeli and Palestinian youths gain greater understanding through attending Seeds of Peace summer camps. (YNet)
 
Former Fatah official Mohammed Dahlan is suing Pres. Abbas on various charges. (Times of Israel)
 
 
COMMENTARY:
 
The CSM says American commitment and goodwill are crucial to pushing the Israelis and Palestinians towards peace. (Christian Science Monitor)
 
Ha'aretz says it is absurd to cancel a Palestinian children puppets festival on "security" grounds. (Ha'aretz)
 
Carlo Strenger says the idea of a referendum could strengthen the chances for an Israeli-Palestinian peace agreement. (Ha'aretz)
 
Aviad Kleinberg says a referendum is just another obstacle to peace. (YNet)
 
Amira Hass says young Palestinians aren't in a hurry for a peace agreement because they know Israel isn't ready for one. (Ha'aretz)
 
Daniel Tauber argues that the new negotiations are not in Israel's national interests. (Jerusalem Post)
 
Ben Caspit says to be evenhanded about prisoner release, the US should free convicted spy Jonathan Pollard. (Jerusalem Post)
 
J.J. Goldberg says, surprisingly, it was Israel that convinced the EU to ban only Hezbollah's military wing. (The Forward)
 
Rami Khouri says the EU should be applauded for its new settlement and occupation guidelines. (The Daily Star)
 
Alsir Sidahmed wonders what in the United States is trying to accomplish with the new Israeli-Palestinian talks. (Arab News)
 
Ben Caspit says neither side can deliver what the other wants, so talks had better proceed very slowly and cautiously. (Al Monitor)
 
Yaron Sideman says it's time to give peace a chance with the Kerry initiative. (Philadelphia Inquirer)
 
Michael Singh says there is a real virtue even in "talks about talks." (Washington Post)
 
Kenneth Bandler says there is no alternative to a two-state solution. (Orlando Sun Sentinel)
 
Abeer Ayyoub says Hamas is worried that the Egyptian "Tamarod" grassroots rebellion movement will spread to Gaza. (Al Monitor)
 
Sigal Samuel asks if applying Israel's anti-discrimination against women laws in the occupied territories is feminist or annexationist. (Daily Beast/Open Zion)
 
B'Tselem says Israel must take action to regulate the status of tens of thousands of Gazans living without IDs. (B'Tselem)
 
Stephen Walt says the United States should not link policies towards Iran and Israel and the Palestinians. (Foreign Policy)
 
NEWS:
 
An aide to Pres. Abbas says the formula for negotiations with Israel is not yet fully realized, and Israeli sources also express doubts. (AP/Ma'an/The Guardian/The National)
 
 
Palestinians are still insisting that the 1967 borders, with agreed land swaps, serve as the basis for new talks, and say the US assured them of this in writing. (Reuters/AP)
 
Israeli Economy Minister Bennett, using the budget issue, continues to threaten to bring down the coalition over the prospect of new negotiations. (Ha'aretz/YNet)
 
PM Netanyahu has been using secrecy and behind-the-scenes maneuvers to get around Bennett's opposition. (Jerusalem Post)
 
Netanyahu may seek permission from his cabinet to resume negotiations with the Palestinians. (Reuters)
 
Abbas and Netanyahu both vow that any agreement will be put to a referendum. (AFP/Ha'aretz)
 
A release of about 80 Palestinian prisoners is crucial in laying the groundwork for resumed negotiations with Israel. (AFP/New York Times/Washington Post/Los Angeles times)
 
Pres. Peres says the prospect of renewed talks is "a great opportunity." (Xinhua) 
 
MK Tibi warns of a potential third intifada if talks fail. (YNet)
 
Iran and Hamas bitterly denounce the idea of new Israeli-Palestinian talks. (AFP/Ma'an)
 
Former official Martin Indyk may head a new US Middle East negotiating team. (New York Times/Times of Israel)
 
Settler leaders hold an emergency meeting to try to oppose new Israeli-Palestinian talks. (Jerusalem Post)
 
APN and ATFP foster dialogue on Israeli-Palestinian relations featuring interns and college students. (APN)
 
The Israeli government is planning to impose its anti-discrimination against women labor laws in "Area C" of the occupied West Bank. (YNet)
 
Peace Now says the Israeli government is pressing forward with more than 5000 new settler housing units. (Jerusalem Post)
 
Israel is challenged by increasing numbers of conscientious objectors who refuse to serve in the occupied Palestinian territories. (New York Times)
 
Another Palestinian refugee is killed in Syria, as regime forces are accused of using gas in refugee camps. (Ma'an/Times of Israel/Jerusalem Post)
 
Israel's Supreme Court orders the military to review its use of white phosphorus. (Xinhua) 
 
Israeli officials say a Hamas rocket almost struck Ashkelon by mistake in June. (Times of Israel)
 
Increasing numbers of Jewish Israelis are boycotting the outlying but large settlement of Ariel. (Xinhua) 
 
A new Israeli film looks at the son of an Israeli-Palestinian couple and his own mixed marriage. (Ha'aretz)
 
The Israeli and American air forces hold a joint drill. (Xinhua) 
 
Three Egyptian security personnel are shot dead by extremists in Sinai. (Xinhua) 
 
A B'Tselem spokesperson says she was unjustly shot by Israeli occupation forces while covering a West Bank protest and has the video to prove it. (+972)
 
 
COMMENTARY:
 
Aluf Benn says the potential resumption of talks with the Palestinians gives Netanyahu the chance of a lifetime. (Ha'aretz)
 
Abdullah Iskandar says merely announcing the resumption of talks is an achievement for Kerry and the US. (Al Hayat)
 
Hassan Barari says the resumption of talks, on their own, isn't much of an achievement. (Arab News)
 
Rami Khouri says Kerry deserves support, but could use a new strategy. (The Daily Star)
 
Dalia Hatuqa says political conditions make the talks ripe for failure. (The National)
 
Nasouh Majali urges everyone to give new talks a chance to succeed. (Jordan Times)
 
Shlomi Eldar says fs Israeli and Palestinian leaders can answer a short set of very difficult questions, peace will be quickly achieved. (Al Monitor)
 
Avi Issacharoff says Israel's agreement on prisoner release could give Abbas real political protection. (Times of Israel)
 
Nahum Barnea warns that Washington is a great place to celebrate agreements, but not to conduct Israeli-Palestinian talks. (YNet)
 
Orly Azoulay says skepticism and cynicism cannot diminish Kerry's accomplishment. (YNet)
 
Haviv Rettig Gur says, in a troubled region, new talks are by definition a hopeful sign. (Times of Israel)
 
Hussein Ibish says both Israel and the Palestinians are eager to avoid being seen as the obstructionist party. (Sydney Morning Herald)
 
Linda Gradstein says Kerry forced Abbas and Netanyahu into talks despite massive domestic opposition on both sides. (The Media Line)
 
Herb Keinon says Israel may not be willing to agree to the minimal Palestinian demands for an agreement. (Jerusalem Post)
 
Amira Hass says the new EU guidelines on cooperating with the occupation helped Abbas agree to renewed talks. (Ha'aretz)
 
Moshe Arens says the EU guidelines are ridiculous and will be ignored by everybody. (Ha'aretz)
 
The LA Times welcomes the appointment of the first Muslim student as a member of the University of California Board of Regents. (Los Angeles Times)
 
Oudeh Basharat says discrimination against Arabs in the Negev is a way of life in Israel. (Ha'aretz)
NEWS:
 
The White House says it still expects Israeli-Palestinian negotiations to resume shortly, but there appear to be unresolved questions. (Times of Israel/Xinhua/Reuters)
 
Palestinians repeat they received written guarantees from the United States about terms for the resumption of talks. (UPI)
 
Palestinians say they expect negotiators from both sides will meet in Washington soon, buthaven't received an official invitation yet. (Xinhua/Ma'an)
 
Israel is coming under pressure to ease restrictions that impede Palestinian economic growth in the occupied territories. (Ha'aretz)
 
Palestinians are still insisting talks be based on the 1967 borders with agreed land swaps, and are still waiting for clarification of terms. (Ha'aretz)
 
Israel reportedly asked the US to free convicted spy Pollard in exchange for its release of Palestinian prisoners. (Ha'aretz)
 
PM Netanyahu is fast tracking legislation that would require any peace agreement be put to a referendum. (AP)
 
The prospect of new negotiations is intensifying divisions between Hamas and Fatah. (AFP)
 
EU foreign policy chief Ashton says all Israeli settlement products will be clearly labeled in EU states by the end of 2013. (Ha'aretz)
 
Two of the largest Dutch retail chains announce they won't sell Israeli settlement productsanymore, a move that alarms settlers. (YNet)
 
Two more Palestinians are killed in fighting in Syria. (Ma'an)
 
An Israeli court orders the eviction of a Palestinian family from its home in occupied East Jerusalem. (Ma'an)
 
A new contingent of international peacekeepers is being dispatched to the Golan Heights. (Xinhua)
 
An Egyptian police officer is shot by gunmen in Sinai. (Ma'an)
 
The security crisis in Sinai has greatly intensified since the ouster of former Egyptian Pres. Morsi. (Al Monitor)
 
Israel welcomes the EU decision to designate Hezbollah's military wing as a terrorist organization following the bus bombing in Bulgaria. (Xinhua/Washington Post/Ha'aretz)
 
Egypt continues to intensify its crackdown on Gaza smuggling tunnels. (The National)
 
Construction in Gaza is at a standstill given Egypt's new security measures. (Al Monitor)
 
Israel opens a "virtual embassy" to GCC states on Twitter. (Ha'aretz)
 
The Israeli clothing chain Fox plans to open a shop in Ramallah. (Xinhua)
 
Israeli archaeologist Yoav Farhi makes a specialty of history through ancient coins. (Christian Science Monitor)
 
 
COMMENTARY:
 
Diana Moukalled says the "Arab Spring" has placed Palestine squarely in its broader regional context. (Asharq Al Awsat)
 
Aaron David Miller says there are five indicators to watch for to track the seriousness of new Israeli-Palestinian talks. (Foreign Policy)
 
Bernard Avishai says Sec. Kerry understands the new talks put both Israeli and Palestinian leaders on the spot. (Daily Beast/Open Zion)
 
Shibley Telhami says Kerry is right to understand that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is still at the heart of Middle East instability. (Foreign Policy)
 
The Jordan Times says the creation of a Palestinian state is inevitable. (Jordan Times)
 
Roger Cohen says both parties desperately need a two-state solution, but cling to other fantasies. (New York Times)
 
Mazal Mualem says few in his own Likud party support Netanyahu in the new negotiations or believe he is serious. (Al Monitor)
 
Ben Sales says proposed new Israeli-Palestinian talks are surrounded by unanswered questions. (JTA)
 
David Makovsky says, despite the difficulties in organizing resumed negotiations, the really difficult work lies ahead. (WINEP)
 
Hassan Barari says skepticism about the new talks is warranted. (Jordan Times) 
 
Akiva Eldar says history suggests an unhappy ending to the new round of talks. (Al Monitor)
 
Jeffrey Goldberg doubts Kerry's mission has much chance of success. (Bloomberg)
 
Yossi Beilin says both Kerry and the parties need a "Plan B," which would be an interim agreement. (Daily Beast/Open Zion)
 
Hillel Halkin says Kerry is wasting his time looking for the traditional two-state solution and what's needed is a more creative arrangement. (The Forward)
 
Bloomberg says US foreign policy should focus on Iran, not the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. (Bloomberg)
 
Ha'aretz says Netanyahu is wrong in arguing there is a need for a referendum on any peace agreement. (Ha'aretz)
 
Aeyal Gross says Netanyahu's draft referendum legislation is just another way of extending Israeli law into occupied Palestinian territories. (Ha'aretz)
 
Shaul Rosenfeld says the EU's growing opposition to Israel's occupation and settlement products is an unfair "double standard." (YNet)
 
David Newman says Israeli outrage at the EU guidelines reflects unrealistic expectations about international attitudes towards the occupation. (Jerusalem Post)
 
Noga Tarnopolsky looks at the complicated background and context of the EU guidelines.
 
Tzipi Livni and Sami Ramadani present opposing viewpoints on the EU designation of Hezbollah's military wing as a terrorist group. (The Guardian)
 
Benajmin Weinthal asks how effective the new EU sanctions on Hezbollah will be. (Jerusalem Post)
 
Adnan Abu Amer says Morsi's downfall may prompt some in Hamas to seek to renew ties with Iran. (Al Monitor)
 
Jonathan Schanzer says Hamas' difficulties present an opportunity to try to bankrupt the group. (Foreign Policy)
 
Hussein Ibish says Hamas has never been more isolated, desperate or out of options. (Now Media)
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