NEWS:

Sec. Kerry concludes his latest trip to the region, saying he had "very positive discussions," and remaining upbeat about new negotiations. (New York Times/LA Times/AP)

Kerry's trip had been extended longer than initially planned, but still yielded no breakthrough. (New York Times/Reuters)

The election of extremist Likud leader Danon as party Chair raises further doubts about Israel's commitment to a two-state solution. (AP)

PM Netanyahu vows that any peace agreement must be put to a referendum.(Xinhua)

Analysts speculate Kerry may have succeeded in laying the groundwork for future progress, as acknowledged by Palestinian officials. (Xinhua)

Pres. Abbas reportedly tells Kerry Israel's "goodwill gestures" thus far are insufficient, but that Americans seem to understand the Palestinian position. (Xinhua/Ha'aretz)

Palestinian officials blame Israel for the lack of resolution on new talks. (UPI)

An Israeli cabinet minister says the timing of prisoner release is one of the remaining sticking points between the parties. (Times of Israel)

Hamas warns against "futile" negotiations with Israel. (Ma'an)

Israel's chief negotiator Livni says European boycotts of settlement products could extend to all Israeli goods. (Jerusalem Post)

Israel is adding additional incentives for prospective tenants of almost 1000 new settler housing units in occupied East Jerusalem. ( AFP)

A Jewish extremist is arrested by Israeli police for desecrating a monastery in the occupied West Bank. (Reuters)

Hamas deploys more forces around the Egyptian border. (Xinhua)

Arab Idol winner Mohammad Assaf will hold three free concerts across the West Bank in July. (Ma'an)

Assaf's success continues to put Hamas in an extremely difficult position. (Al Arabiya)

A new study suggests Israel collects $11 million a year from Palestinians in identity card fees. (PNN)

Prof. Meron Medzini leads historical tours around Israel and the occupied territories. (Christian Science Monitor)

Hussein al-Deik wins the Palestinian "The President" reality TV show. (NPR)

COMMENTARY:

Leonard Fein calls extremist leaders like Danon "Israel's most dangerous enemies." (The Forward)

Ha'aretz calls Israel's settlement and occupation activity in the South Hebron Hills "annexation in disguise." (Ha'aretz)

Yitzhak Laor asks if Israel would have freed Nelson Mandela if he had been a Palestinian. (Ha'aretz)

Sharif Nashashibi says the political vacuum in Ramallah might help focus the attention of the Palestinian people on the need for change. (Al Arabiya)

Ahmed Aldabba explains why he prefers to live in Gaza than in Egypt. (Christian Science Monitor)

The National says Kerry's latest efforts leave little grounds for optimism. (The National)

Barak Ravid says, even if Kerry doesn't succeed in restarting negotiations, he's trying harder than anyone else. (Ha'aretz)

Raphael Ahren says, given Kerry's confidence, either he's afraid of "humiliating failures" or he knows something the rest of us know. (Times of Israel)

The Daily Star accuses Israel of "sabotaging peace." (The Daily Star)

Shlomi Eldar says the Palestinian Interaction Committee was another excellent initiative that failed from the outset. (Al Monitor)

Haviv Rettig Gur says, by placing himself above party politics, PM Netanyahu may have squandered control of the Likud. (Times of Israel)

Amos Harel says the turmoil in the Middle East has reduced the threats Israel, at least for now. (Ha'aretz)

Merav Betito says there's a double standard in Israel for Jewish and Arab convicted felons. (YNet)

Rebecca Rachmany says Israel is, indeed, an apartheid state, and she thinks that's a good thing and that Israelis believe in equality anyway. (Times of Israel)

Bakr Oweida says the success of Mohammed Assaf shows the limitations of Hamas' rule in Gaza. (Asharq Al Awsat)

Amira Hass says Palestinian creativity is flourishing all over, not just through Assaf. (Ha'aretz)

Emily Hauser asks why, since McDonald's settlement boycott is 20 years old, settlers are so upset now. (Daily Beast/Open Zion)

Yossi Mekelberg says, given a continued deadlock, a third intifada is a real possibility, but would be very dangerous for Palestinians. (Al Arabiya)

NEWS:

Sec. Kerry says time is the enemy in his push for Israeli-Palestinian peace. (New York Times/AP/AFP)

Kerry says the parties must show "some kind of progress" before the next UN General Assembly meeting in September. (Ha'aretz)

Kerry is arriving in Israel today, and insists Israeli and Palestinian leaders want peace. (Xinhua/Reuters)

American and Palestinian officials criticize Israel's announcement of 69 new settlement units in occupied East Jerusalem, on the eve of Kerry's upcoming visit. (AP/New York Times)

Israel's outgoing central bank governor Fischer says Israel needs to strengthen Palestinian leaders who want to create an independent state. (AP)

Diplomats suggest that a proposed $4 billion investment program for Palestine is contingent on the resumption of negotiations. (Times of Israel)

An unnamed Likud minister says PM Netanyahu is willing to withdraw from 90% of the West Bank, excluding settlement blocs and keeping an open-ended military presence in the Jordan Valley. (Ha'aretz)

Palestinian officials say they are "willing to meet Netanyahu halfway." (Jerusalem Post)

Netanyahu says peace with the Palestinians is a must, but it won't stop defamation of Israel. (Ha'aretz)

Netanyahu and Pres. Peres both explicitly reject the idea of a binational state for Israel and the Palestinians. (YNet)

Israel's AG and DM are at odds over government recognition for a heretofore "unauthorized" settlement outpost. (Ha'aretz)

Desalinization is seen as a potential key in solving Gaza's long-term water crisis. (Reuters)

A French media personality Is convicted of libel after claiming the footage of the death of 12-year-old Mohammed al-Dura was fabricated. (YNet/Times of Israel/AP)

Israel arrests 19 Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, sparking clashes with protesters. (Ma'an)

Egypt is going ahead with prosecutions against nine persons accused of spying for Israel. (Xinhua)

Israel's Supreme Court urges the Health Ministry to ensure hospitals have non-Jewish prayer rooms. (Xinhua)

Israel faces major decisions regarding newly discovered offshore energy reserves. (Christian Science Monitor)

A Palestinian restauranteur returns to the West Bank from Paris, lured by the food of his home country. (Christian Science Monitor)

Settlers call for a boycott of McDonald's, after the restaurant chain refuses to open a branch in a settlement. (Jerusalem Post)

Some Palestinians are increasingly looking at nonviolent anti-apartheid tactics such as sports to advance their cause. (The National)

Palestinian militants warn of the potential for a third intifada. (Al Jazeera)

A new poll shows Hezbollah is losing support among Palestinians. (Al Monitor)

COMMENTARY:

Rima Kitana Nezzal says Salam Fayyad set the standard for all other Arab and Palestinian leaders in pursuing women's rights and empowerment. (Al Ayyam, translated by ATFP)

Kimberly Marten says reformed security forces must trump violent, patronage-based politics for Palestinian state-building to be accomplished. (International Herald Tribune)

The National says, with the resignation of PM Hamdallah, Palestinians are once again being let down by their own leaders. (The National)

George Hishmeh says Kerry has both the time and the opportunity to deliver Israel on peace before the next UN meeting. (Gulf News)

The Daily Star says Kerry's rhetoric won't be enough to shift Israel on peace. (The Daily Star)

Michael Jansen agrees that so far there isn't much substance behind Kerry's efforts. (Jordan Times)

Patrick Martin says the rising challenge by anti-2-state Israeli extremists to Netanyahu threatens the prospects for peace. (Globe and Mail)

David Grossman says a new road being built by Israel in the occupied Palestinian territories destroys the prospects for an independent Palestinian state. (Ha'aretz)

The PLO issues a statement on "what is needed for the resumption of credible negotiations." (PNN)

Adi Schwartz says Israel must fight back against accusations in the Mohammed al-Dura affair. (Ha'aretz)

Carlo Strenger says Moshe Arens' vision of an Israeli version of a one-state solution is actually a nightmare. (Ha'aretz)

Hagai Segal says it's more important for Israel to be "Jewish" than to be "democratic." (YNet)

Israel Harel says Israel has a double standard when it comes to land claims by settlers and Bedouins. (Ha'aretz)

Douglas Bloomfield says Netanyahu's deeds must match his words, especially to preserve relations with the United States. (Jerusalem Post)

Linda Gradstein says Israel's ruling Likud party is shifting even more to the right. (The Media Line)

Hana Salah says the Palestinian Stock Exchange has room to grow. (Al Monitor)