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NEWS:

Sec. Kerry holds meetings with Israeli and Palestinian officials in Amman and may reveal a new initiative in coming weeks. (Jerusalem Post)

Senior Israeli negotiator Livni says some Israelis are using security as an excuse not to pursue peace. (Jerusalem Post)

A senior economic adviser to Pres. Abbas says the political climate is not appropriate for Kerry's plans to revive the Palestinian economy and says Palestinians won't make concessions for economic gains alone. (Ma'an)

Many Palestinians are leery of Kerry's focus on the economy and insist aid is no substitute for negotiations. (Christian Science Monitor/The National)

Palestinian officials complain that the US, UK and Arab states are trying to steamroll them into accepting Kerry's proposal for renewed negotiations. (Ha'aretz)

DM Yaalon says a shipment of Russian S-300 missiles has not left for Syria yet, but Israel may act if it does. (Reuters)

A senior Palestinian official criticizes the participation of Palestinian companies in a programming forum held in Israel. (Xinhua/Ma'an)

Religious Zionism is emerging as Israel's most powerful pressure group. (Ha'aretz)

Palestinian workers describe commuting to jobs in Israel as "torturous." (Ma'an)

Some American Jewish leaders are quietly concerned about proposals to arm Syrian rebels. (The Forward)

Israeli fashion designers are beginning to see advantages in manufacturing in the occupied West Bank. (Ha'aretz)

A group of prominent activists say UEFA should not allow Israel to host the European Under-21 finals next month, given its policies towards the Palestinians. (The Guardian)

Senior Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood figure El-Erian says Fatah is seeking to undermine security in Sinai. (Ahram Online)

A Palestinian singer from Gaza inches closer to winning this year's Arab Idol TV singing contest. (Washington Post)

COMMENTARY:

The National says the US plan to boost the Palestinian economy is vital. (The National)

David Horovitz says Kerry's economic proposal is "ridiculous." (Times of Israel)

Khaled Abu Toameh says Palestinians are complaining Kerry is trying to "bribe them" to "sell out." (Gatestone Institute)

David Ignatius examines Kerry's Middle East peace initiative. (Washington Post)

Akiva Eldar says a new poll suggests that if PM Netanyahu adopted the principles of the Arab Peace Initiative, most Israelis would back him. (Al Monitor)

S. Daniel Abraham says Steven Hawking's conference boycott was wrong but Israeli policies are self-destructive. (Ha'aretz)

Amira Hass says neither Israelis nor Palestinians want to be reminded how many of each other's children they have killed since 2000. (Ha'aretz)

Robert Menendez says Middle East turmoil will only strengthen the US-Israel alliance. (Ha'aretz)

Eyal Megged says, whether Israelis like it or not, Jerusalem is a divided city. (Ha'aretz)

Chris Gunness says recent attacks on UNRWA are ill-informed and wrong. (YNet)

Kenneth Bandler says Israeli-Palestinian high-tech cooperation could be very useful. (Jerusalem Post)

AP interviews Deputy FM Elkin, who says he's proud to be an Israeli settler in occupied Palestinian territories. (AP)

NEWS:
 
Sec. Kerry advances a $4 billion plan for investment in the Palestinian economy and insists the plan can work. (AFP/New York Times/AP)
 
Kerry and Pres. Abbas will meet today to discuss peace efforts. (Xinhua)
 
 
Some PA officials complain that Abbas is keeping them in the dark about his diplomatic strategy. (Jerusalem Post)
 
The lead Palestinian negotiator says Israelis want peace but PM Netanyahu must be convinced. (Jerusalem Post)
 
Kerry calls on Israeli and Palestinian officials to "show leadership" on peace. (New York Times)
 
Pres. Peres says Israelis must overcome skepticism about the possibility of peace. (New York Times)
 
An Israeli cabinet minister says isolated Jewish settlements in the West Bank should be evacuated. (Xinhua)
 
Jordan's King Abdullah says extremism has "grown fat" off of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. (AP)
 
Leading Israeli and Palestinian businessmen unveil a new business-led push for Israeli-Palestinian peace. (Times of Israel)
 
Abbas vows to form a new government "within weeks." (Ma'an)
 
At the World Economic Forum, Abbas calls for more international investment in Palestine. (Ma'an)
 
80 international aid agencies urge the EU to follow through on pledges to aid Palestinians in "Area C." (Reuters/Ha'aretz)
 
The PA says it is raising the Palestinian VAT by 1% in June. (Ma'an)
 
Israeli experts say a cyber attack from Syria was thwarted. (AP)
 
Israeli forces are drilling for unconventional warfare. (Xinhua)
 
A pregnant woman is killed in a clan dispute in Gaza. (Ma'an)
 
The ex-Shin Bet deputy chief says Israeli authorities are stymied in their efforts to curb right-wing Jewish violence and need new tactics. (Ha'aretz)
 
The Israeli Education Ministry may again consider using a book that takes a new look at the Palestinian experience and history. (Ha'aretz)
 
A refugee from Gaza is widely expected to win the Arab Idol TV singing contest this year. (The Guardian)
 
Home-visit jobs for women are growing in the occupied West Bank. (The Media Line)
 
A leader of Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood says a Jewish prophesy suggests Pres. Morsi will "liberate Jerusalem." (Al-Masry Al-Youm)
 
 
COMMENTARY:
 
J.J. Goldberg says Israel's cabinet needs to decide if it is for or against a two-state solution and peace. (The Forward)
 
Barak Ravid says Kerry is taking a huge gamble that will yield either stunning success or humiliating failure. (Ha'aretz)
 
Ethan Bronner says in prosperity and calm, most Israelis have stopped thinking in terms of a Middle East conflict. (New York Times)
 
Haviv Rettig Gur says the US knows the process is at least as important to it as a real conflict-ending outcome. (Times of Israel)
 
Chemi Shalev says Israeli policy-makers may be concerned about Pres. Obama's counter-terrorism speech. (Ha'aretz)
 
Yitzhak Laor says Israeli political views are defined by positions on the occupation. (Ha'aretz)
 
Khaled Diab says Israel's Mohammed al-Dura report is "a slanderous farce and blood libel" against Palestinians. (Ha'aretz)
 
AP interviews UNRWA chief Filippo Grandi about the plight of Palestinian refugees caught in the Syrian conflict. (AP)
 
Gideon Levy asks right-wing Israeli thugs what kind of country they want to live in. (Ha'aretz)
 
Emily Hauser says in its new report on the death of Muhammad al-Dura, Israel is relying on smear tactics that actually work. (Daily Beast/Open Zion)
 
Efraim Inbar explains what he thinks Israel's interests are in Syria. (Jerusalem Post)
 
Tzachi Hanegbi says Israel cannot rely on the US to act in its defense. (Jerusalem Post)
 
Shlomi Eldar looks at the Israel-Egypt-Hamas triangle of interested in Sinai. (Al Monitor)
 
Jonathan Cook says domestic disputes in Israel don't benefit the Palestinians. (The National)
 
The Times of Israel interviews British author William Sutcliffe on his new novel, "The Wall." (Times of Israel)

 

NEWS:
 
Pres. Obama includes achieving Israeli-Palestinian peace as a core element of US counterterrorism strategy. (JTA)
 
Sec. Kerry meets separately with Israeli and Palestinian officials. (New York Times)
 
Kerry is focused on peace talks, not settlements. (AP)
 
Kerry insists peace is possible. (Washington Post)
 
Kerry's persistence is defying skeptics. (Christian Science Monitor)
 
Analysts don't expect much from Kerry's trip, while officials react with praise and reservationsand don't seem to expect much. (Xinhua/Los Angeles Times/CNN)
 
Palestinians are vocally pessimistic about Kerry's efforts. (The National)
 
Gen. John Allen is appointed US security envoy in the peace process. (Ha'aretz)
 
FM Hague says Israel is losing support in Britain because of settlements, and that prospects for a two-state solution are slipping away. (YNet/The Guardian)
 
Kerry makes an unscheduled stop at a shawarma shop in West Bank. (The Guardian)
 
A new report shows the EU is not meeting its own standards for ensuring Israel improves Palestinian living conditions. (The Australian)
 
Former PM Olmert describes what he says were his peace proposals to the Palestinians. (Jerusalem Post)
 
Olmert criticizes Pres. Abbas for not accepting his peace offer. (Times of Israel)
 
Olmert also says Israel's West Bank policies are responsible for its bad international press. (Jerusalem Post) 
 
Settlers demand Israeli occupation forces make more use of live fire against Palestinian demonstrators. (Ha'aretz)
 
Islamic Jihad complains Hamas and Fatah are not ready for national reconciliation. (Ma'an)
 
Companies operating in an Israeli settlement challenge a fee imposed on them for employing Palestinians. (Ha'aretz)
 
 
COMMENTARY:
 
Joel Braunold, ATFP Executive Director Ghaith al-Omari and Danielle Spiegel Feld say Kerry's main task is overcoming skepticism. (Daily Beast/Open Zion)
 
The Daily Star says Palestinians a right to be skeptical about Kerry's Middle East peace initiative. (The Daily Star)
 
Anshel Pfeffer says Israel is going to lose the second battle over Mohammed al-Dura, just like the first. (Ha'aretz)
 
Shlomi Eldar says the two-state idea is "bankrupt" but he has no idea what will replace it. (Al Monitor)
 
Shaul Magid looks at a new book on the history of US peace engagement by Rashid Khalidi. (Daily Beast/Open Zion)
 
Yaakov Katz says what Israel really wants in Syria is a clear ruler of a united, stable country. (Daily Beast/Open Zion)
 
Gideon Levy and Alex Levac describe how Israeli settlers are re-colonizing an evacuated West Bank settlement. (Ha'aretz)
 
Amira Hass says the Independent Commission for Human Rights plays a vital role in uniting the West Bank and Gaza by monitoring human rights in both areas. (Ha'aretz)
We are not yet able to translate from Maori into English.
 

 

NEWS:
 
Senior Palestinian officials praise Sec. Kerry's peace efforts and express guarded optimismabout the resumption of talks with Israel.(Reuters/New York Times)
 
Other Palestinian officials reportedly express skepticism, and say they are preparing "day after" plans. (AP)
 
PM Netanyahu tells Kerry Israel sees restarting negotiations with the Palestinians as a paramount imperative. (Ha'aretz)
 
Kerry praises Netanyahu's "seriousness" about peace negotiations, after separate talks with both sides today. (JTA/The Forward)
 
Comments from the US and Israel raise hopes about the revival of peace talks. (AP)
 
Jordan says it is hopeful that talks can be resumed. (Jerusalem Post)
 
According to a new poll, Kerry's efforts face skepticism in public opinion on both sides, especially among Palestinians. (Pew)
 
American sources say Kerry phoned Netanyahu, not Amb. Oren, to object to Israel's recently announced settlement expansion. (Ha'aretz)
 
Amnesty International finds that Israel and Hamas both committed war crimes in their violent encounter late last year. (Ma'an)
 
An Israeli court rejects a lawsuit against Israeli soldiers who killed a Palestinian protester in 2009. (Jerusalem Post)
 
After 10 years of construction, Israel's West Bank separation barrier is almost complete. (NPR)
 
Palestine asks the UN Security Council to end "provocations" by Israel in occupied East Jerusalem. (Xinhua)
 
The UN says the conflict in Syria has displaced most Palestinian refugees in that country. (AFP)
 
Israel's Air Force chief warns about the possibility of conflict with Syria. (AP)
 
Israelis feel their country is being increasingly drawn into the Syrian conflict. (New York Times)
 
Thousands of Palestinians flock to return to the Gaza Strip after the crossing with Egypt is finally reopened. (Xinhua)
 
A Hamas court sentences one man to death and another to life imprisonment with hard labor for collaborating with Israel. (AFP)
 
A Jewish-Arab chorus in Jerusalem is fostering coexistence. (Christian Science Monitor)
 
US-Israeli and Palestinian companies are increasingly cooperating in high tech. (Al Monitor)
 
AP profiles the new Palestinian film "Omar." (AP)
 
 
COMMENTARY:
 
Muhammad al-Durrah's father, Jamal, recounts the death of his 12-year-old son at the beginning of the second intifada. (Al Monitor)
 
Barak Ravid says both Israel and the Palestinians are working hard not to be blamed if Kerry's peace initiative fails. (Ha'aretz)
 
Chemi Shalev says cynics might be skeptical, but he strongly supports Kerry's efforts. (Ha'aretz)
 
George Hishmeh says Kerry needs to come up with a peace plan of his own. (Gulf News)
 
Gershon Baskin says negotiations need to be carried out by leaders, not in public. (Jerusalem Post)
 
Sigal Samuel looks at contradictory statements from Israeli cabinet ministers on policy towards a two-state solution. (Daily Beast/Open Zion)
 
Ahmed Charai says the Arab Peace Initiative is stuck in rivalry between Qatar and Saudi Arabia. (The National Interest)
 
Dalia Hatuqa says neither Hamas nor Fatah are ready for national unity. (The National)
 
Abeer Ayyoub says Israel's extension of Gaza fishing to six nautical miles off the coast is not enough. (Al Monitor)
 
Uri Misgav says Israel should embrace conscientious objectors who won't serve in the occupied territories as it did Gilad Shalit. (Ha'aretz)

NEWS:

 
Israel's Supreme Court orders the AG to explain the seizure of Palestinian land in occupied East Jerusalem. (Ha'aretz)
 
The case is the first significant test of Israel's Absentee Property Law in a long time. (BBC)
 
Israel's AG complains that planning and construction laws in the occupied territories are not enforced against settlers. (YNet)
 
An Israeli soldier who will not serve in the occupied Palestinian territories is jailed for six months. (AP)
 
Israel is considering a crackdown on West Bank protests. (Ma'an)
 
Palestinians say Israeli occupation forces shot and wounded a 12-year-old boy during a West Bank protest. (AFP)
 
Israel demolishes four Palestinian homes in occupied East Jerusalem. (Ma'an)
 
A Palestinian NGO reports that abuses by authorities are on the rise, and last year two Palestinians died in PA custody and nine in Hamas detention. (AP/Jerusalem Post)
 
Kidnapped Egyptian soldiers are released in Sinai, as one militant is killed and three are arrested. (Xinhua)
 
Egypt's military response in Sinai was coordinated with Israel, and deepened tensions with Hamas. (The Tower)
 
With the Sinai crisis resolved, Egypt reopens the Gaza border crossing. (Ma'an)
 
Hamas says it is willing to shut down all Gaza smuggling tunnels if a commercial crossing is opened. (Ma'an)
 
Israel cancels a three mile limit on Gaza fishing. (New York Times)
 
Finland's FM urges a complete lifting of the Gaza blockade. (Xinhua)
 
Hamas is tightening travel restrictions in Gaza. (Al Monitor)
 
Women in Gaza are struggling to find an economic role amid high unemployment. (Al Monitor)
 
West Bank businesses are struggling to grow amid economic uncertainty. (WGBH)
 
Israeli forces arrest three PA security officers in connection with the death of a settler in 2011. (Ma'an)
 
Israel's chief negotiator Livni says the impasse with the Palestinians is bad for Israel. (AP)
 
Israel warns Syria about attacks on the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, and Syria says it has aright to retaliate against Israel. (AP/Xinhua)
 
Reuters looks at the new Palestinian film, "Omar." (Reuters)
 
A Palestinian flag is raised over City Hall in Paterson New Jersey, in probably an American first, celebrating Palestinian-American Day in the city. (JTA)
 
 
COMMENTARY:
 
Rachel Shabi says the new report on the Muhammad al-Dura affair shows Israel is obsessed with propaganda and spin. (The Guardian)
 
Ben Caspit says Israel was right to publish its new report on the Muhammad al-Dura affair. (Al Monitor)
 
Uzi Baram says Israel is facing a leadership crisis on many questions, including the Palestinians. (Ha'aretz)
 
Dani Dayan says Israel shouldn't agree to any land swaps with the Palestinians. (Ha'aretz)
 
Brent Sasley says Israel was right to apologize to Turkey. (Daily Beast/Open Zion)
 
Semih Idiz says PM Erdogan doesn't seem to know how to handle the question of Gaza. (Al Monitor)
 
Arnaud de Borchgrave says, under current conditions, Israel is not going to agree to the establishment of a Palestinian state. (UPI)
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