News:
The standoff over the next prisoner release threatens peace talks. (New York Times/Times of Israel)
Chief Palestinian negotiator Erekat accuses Israel of prioritizing settlements over peace. (Ma’an/Ynet)
Pres. Abbas will ask the Arab League to reiterate its 2002 peace initiative. (PNN/Ha’aretz)
J Street says Israel’s demand for Palestinian recognition of it as a “Jewish state” is not realistic at present. (Ha’aretz)
Palestinians criticize Abbas for publicly feuding with former Fatah official Dahlan. (New York Times)
PM Netanyahu says the Israeli army will use force against anybody plotting attacks against Israel. (AFP/Ynet)
Israeli occupation forces kill three Palestinians in the West Bank. (AP/Xinhua)
The UN Human Rights Council will vote on a settlement boycott resolution. (Ha’aretz/Jerusalem Post)
Jewish “price tag” extremists vandalize 34 cars in occupied East Jerusalem. (AP/AFP/Ha’aretz)
Hamas supporters rally in Gaza. (AP/Ma’an)
Palestinian refugee camps in the West Bank are becoming increasingly volatile and dangerous.(Ha’aretz)
The PA will sign a security accord aimed at protecting Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon. (Daily Star)
Syrian rebels capture a town near the Turkish border. (AP)
The UN accuses both the Syrian government and rebels of hindering aid access. (Reuters/New York Times)
Sec. Kerry hopes the Crimea crisis will not affect Russian cooperation on Syrian weapons.(Reuters)
One person is killed in clashes in Lebanon between supporters and opponents of Pres. Assad.(Reuters/AP)
Turkey shoots down a Syrian plane. (Washington Post/Xinhua/The National)
Egypt sentences 529 Muslim Brotherhood members to death. (AP/Reuters/New York Times)
Pres. Obama may face a tough meeting in Saudi Arabia. (The National)
Commentary:
Hussein Ibish says the GCC impasse is about Egypt’s role in the unfolding new Middle Eastern strategic landscape. (The National)
The Boston Globe says peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians must be saved. (The Boston Globe)
Emily Hauser says the delayed release of Palestinian prisoners’ shows that Israel does not want to end the conflict with the Palestinians. (Ha’aretz)
Don Futterman says Palestinians are facing a “prisoners’ dilemma.” (Ha’aretz)
Amos Schocken says those who insist on demanding recognition of Israel as a “Jewish state” are acting to perpetuate the occupation and settlements. (Ha’aretz)
Jonathan Cook asks what will happen if peace talks fail. (The National)
Sharif Nashashibi endorses a binational state for Israelis and Palestinians. (Al Arabiya)
Mira Sucharov explains why she opposes the academic boycott of Israel but supports two states. (Ha’aretz)
Amira Hass writes a letter to the Israeli soldier who killed a fourteen-year-old Palestinian. (Ha’aretz)
Alon Pinkas says the US will not forget DM Ya’alon’s insults. (Ynet)
Bakir Oweida pleas the international community and the Palestinian leadership to “let Gaza breathe.” (Asharq Al Awsat)
The Daily Star says the Arab League summit in Kuwait comes at an all time high level of political tension among members. (Daily Star)
Abdul Rahman Al Rashed says he doesn’t expect much from this year’s Arab League summit. (Al Arabiya)
The National says the damage incurred by Syria’s architectural heritage is highly disturbing. (The National)
Natasha Hall says the Yarmouk siege has discredited both the Assad regime and the Palestinian leadership. (Daily Star)
H.A. Hellyer says Egypt’s growing tolerance of harassment towards women is alarming. (Al Arabiya)
Majdi Hamdan and Adel Suleiman debate if Egypt’s various presidential candidates could play a role in the next government. (Asharq al Awsat)
Rami Khouri counts the number of ways Arabs are dying. (Daily Star)
Amer Al Sabaileh says Qatar’s changed political position towards the Syrian crisis will not contribute to a political settlement. (Jordan Times)