NEWS
Egyptian kidnappers release two tourists, one of whom is a Palestinian citizen of Israel. (Ha'aretz/Reuters)

Israeli occupation forces impose a general closure of the West Bank through the end of Passover. (JTA/Jerusalem Post)

A new tour is giving Israelis a closer look at Ramallah, in some ways. (New York Times)

Israeli human rights group call on their government to ease new restrictions on Gaza fishermen. (AFP)

An Israeli general suggests the possibility of creating a "buffer zone" across the Syrian border If the Damascus regime is overthrown. (Reuters)

Pres. Abbas arrives in Doha for the latest Arab League summit. (Ma'an)

A hunger striking Palestinian prisoner is again said to be in mortal peril. (Xinhua)

The PA says it wants membership in Interpol to better fight corruption. (Xinuha)

Australia's Foreign Minister his country wants Israel to explain the 2010 death of alleged Mossad agent Ben Zygier. (Ha'aretz)

Qatar proposes the creation of a $1 billion fund for Palestinians in East Jerusalem, and contributes the first $250 million. (Reuters/Jerusalem Post)
 

COMMENTARY
Ha'aretz says Sec. Kerry's vigorous engagement with Israeli-Palestinian diplomacy shows Pres. Obama's visit was not a one-time event. (Ha'aretz)

Akiva Eldar says Pres. Abbas can force PM Netanyahu's hand by returning to negotiations even without a settlement freeze. (Al Monitor)

Hussein Ibish looks at exaggerated optimism and pessimism about Obama's trip. (Now)

Ron Kampeas says Obama built-up political capital during the trip, but it's unclear how he's going to use it. (JTA)

Nathan Jeffay asks if young Israelis are really going to follow Obama towards peace. (The Forward)

The Economist says the trip looks a lot different from the Palestinian point of view. (The Economist)

Aaron David Miller says Obama's trip was nothing new or impressive. (Foreign Policy)

Ben Lynfield thinks the trip shows Obama has given up on peace. (The National Interest)

Maud Newton looks at the passionate pro-Israel stance of some American Evangelical Christians. (New York Times)

Khaled Elgindy says the US needs to take Palestinian, as well as Israeli, politics into consideration. (LA Times)

Linah Alsaafin describes the struggles of a Palestinian family trying to hold onto its landing the occupied West Bank. (Al Monitor)

Ben Gittleson profiles Obama’s new National Security Council coordinator for the Middle East, North Africa and the Gulf. (Daily Beast/Open Zion)

NEWS:
Pres. Obama challenges young Israelis and Palestinians to take the lead on peace. (New York Times)

Obama warns Israel that its future as a Jewish and democratic state is at risk because of the occupation. (New York Times/LA Times)

Obama and Pres. Abbas both say the settlement issue is an obstacle to peace, but Obama says it shouldn't block the resumption of negotiations. (Xinhua)

The White House issues transcripts of remarks given by Obama and Abbas after their meeting, and Obama's speech to the people of Israel and the region. (White House)

Obama seems to be repositioning himself as a peace broker, but Palestinians seem skeptical. (LA Times/CSM)

Obama's visit poses tough choices for Palestinians, who appear to be having a mixed reaction to his trip. (AP/The Media Line)

Pres. Peres reportedly tells Obama that PM Netanyahu's coalition will make it difficult for him to take steps towards peace. (Ha'aretz)

Obama meets with a chilly reception in Bethlehem. (Ha'aretz)

Israel is increasingly becoming a walled-off fortress. (NBC)

Hamas complains to Egypt after Israel suspends some aspects of the cease-fire agreement following the firing of two rockets into southern Israel. (Reuters)

Hamas places new restrictions on travel for Palestinians out of Gaza. (Al Monitor)


COMMENTARY:
Hussein Ibish says Obama was trying to use public diplomacy as a corrective to dysfunctional state-level diplomacy on peace. (Foreign Policy)

The New York Times says Obama's speech was a rhetorical success, but now needs to be followed up with serious diplomatic measures, and Daniel Levy agrees. (New York Times/Foreign Policy)

Edward Djerejian says the US needs to lay out a clear diplomatic framework for the resumption of negotiations, including terms of reference. (Jerusalem Post)

Michael Cohen says Obama's rhetoric about peace is at odds with a continued diplomatic impasse. (The Guardian)

Lara Friedman says Obama's speech was a huge step in the right direction. (Daily Beast/Open Zion)

Ha'aretz says Israelis need to listen carefully to Obama. (Ha'aretz)

Jeffrey Goldberg says Obama's speech would have been booed by some if he had given it at an AIPAC meeting. (The Atlantic)

Yossi Verter says Obama's speech sent a clear message to Israel -- you have a great country but you must end the occupation -- and was a rebuke to Netanyahu. (Ha'aretz)

Alon Pinkas says Obama sees Israel as a strong country that has to make some tough choices instead of always looking for sympathy. (YNet)

Amiel Ungar says Obama's charm won't be enough to convince most Israelis he's right. (Ha'aretz)

Gal Beckerman says Obama's speech was rhetorically historic, and that has to be considered a kind of progress. (The Forward)

Ian Black says Obama's speech displayed emotional and political intelligence. (The Guardian)

Dalia Hatuqa says many Palestinians see Obama's visit as a reminder of broken promises. (CSM)

The Economist says Obama needs to strongly push back against the idea that a two-state solution is no longer possible. (The Economist)

The Jerusalem Post claims most Israelis want peace, but most Palestinians just don't. (Jerusalem Post)

Karl Vick examines the sources of ongoing Palestinian frustration with Obama. (Time)

Ahmad Majdoubeh says Obama has to begin to worry about his legacy in the Middle East. (Jordan Times)

Asmaa al-Ghoul says Mother's Day in Gaza is a time for sorrow, not joy. (Al Monitor)