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News:

Israelis and Palestinians argue over the percentage of West Bank land that Israel might annex in a peace agreement. (Times of Israel)

Israel’s chief negotiator Livni criticizes “hypocrites” in the government on the peace process. (The Jerusalem Post)

Israeli Economy Minister Bennett accuses the US of endangering the security of Israel. (Ha’aretz)

Former Fatah official Dahlan denies meeting with an Israeli official in Dubai. (Ma’an)

Israeli occupation forces detain 10 Palestinians in the West Bank. (Ma’an)

Palestinians blame social media for increasing divorce rates. (Xinhua)

The Syrian government and rebels reach an agreement over the besieged city of Homs. (Reuters)

The US reiterates its pledge to improve energy cooperation with Iraq. (Xinhua)

A car bomb kills 13 people in Baghdad. (AP)

American military officers are helping the Iraqi government retake Fallujah. (The New York TImes)

A former Iraqi general says PM Maliki is squandering the “Anbar Awakening.” (Foreign Policy)

Human Rights Watch says Iraqi forces sexually abuse women prisoners. (AFP)

The escalation of attacks in Egypt is blamed on the return of jihadists to the country. (The New York Times)

The Egyptian military denies report that Gen. Sissi is running for president. (AP)

Saudi Arabia aims at weakening ISIS and Muslim Brotherhood-linked groups in Syria. (The National)

The UAE might establish a government committee to fight online attacks, mostly on Twitter. (The National)

Turkey approves legislation that tightens government control over the internet. (AP/Reuters)
 

Commentary:

Matthew Duss says its entirely “defensible and necessary” to support boycotts against the Israeli occupation. (The American Prospect)

Ha’aretz says the Red Cross is signaling that Israel’s policy of demolitioning Palestinian buildings in the Jordan Valley has gone too far. (Ha’aretz)

Daniel Levy says Israel is on a slow-track trajectory to face painful sanctions. (Ha’aretz)

Anshel Pfeffer says Israel must end the occupation regardless of boycott campaigns. (Ha’aretz)

Naomi Paiss says boycotting settlements is not anti-Israeli. (JTA)

Ari Shavit says Israel is running into a headlong collision with the Obama administration unless it reinvents itself. (Ha’aretz)

Adi Schwartz says Israel must demand financial compensation for the Jews who were driven from Arab lands. (Ha’aretz)

Jay Rothman says the key to peace for Israelis and Palestinians is identity and mutual recognition. (The Jerusalem Post)

The Jordan Times says employing skilled Syrians in Jordan should not come at the expense of Jordanians. (The Jordan Times)

Michael Jansen says US military strikes in Syria will not end the conflict. (The Jordan Times)

The National says the new Saudi anti-terror law shows that the kingdom understands theseriousness of the terrorist threat. (The National)

Michael Young says the ongoing tumults in the Middle East will not redraw the Sykes-Picot borders. (The National)

Eyad Abu Shakra says the sectarian tensions in the Middle East have reached a point of no return. (Asharq Alawsat)

Abdul Rahman Al-Rashed says education and culture are the only ways to counter the growing threat of Al-Qaeda. (Asharq Alawsat)

NEWS:
 
Israeli occupation authorities approve 600 new settlement housing units in occupied East Jerusalem. (AP/Ha'aretz/Jerusalem Post)
 
Israeli occupation authorities demolish several Palestinian homes in the West Bank. (Ma’an)
 
Israeli occupation forces injure two in a raid on a Palestinian camp in the West Bank. (Xinhua/Ma’an)
 
A new document exposes divisions and disagreements within Hamas. (YNet)
 
The PA approves a $4 billion annual budget. (Xinhua)
 
Israel rejects a US-Palestinian proposal to revive a committee to monitor incitement. (Ha'aretz)

Jordan is worried about the fallout from Israeli-Palestinian peace talks. (AP/Xinhua)
 
Israel is considering a bill annexing all Jewish settlements in the occupied territories. (Ha'aretz)
 
Israel security chief says Palestinian extremism is born primarily from economic hardship. (Xinhua)
 
Israel arrests a Palestinian man accused of links to Al Qaeda and possessing biological weapons. (Ha'aretz)
 
Israeli authorities say they have thwarted a planned terrorist attack on a wedding by Palestinian extremists. (Jerusalem Post)
 
Three Israeli settlers are indicted for "price tag attacks" against Palestinians. (Ha'aretz)
 
The Red Cross is going to stop providing tents to homeless Palestinians in the Jordan Valley. (YNet)
 
Israel's chief negotiator Livni blasts condemnation of Sec. Kerry by her cabinet colleagues. (AP)
 
Extremist Israeli rabbis say Kerry has "declared war on God."
(Jerusalem Post/Times of Israel)
 
Israelis and Palestinians are feeling increasing pressure from Kerry's initiative. (Xinhua)
 
Jewish-American groups are keeping a low profile on Kerry's initiative. (JTA)
 
Some settlement company CEOs are not losing any sleep over potential boycotts. (JTA)
 
An anti-boycott bill that passed the New York State Senate is stalled in the Assembly. (JTA)
 
Israel's central bank chief is optimistic about the integration of the "Arab sector" into the country's economy. (Ha'aretz)

Syrian unrest is spilling into Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon. (Ma’an)
 
Pres. Abbas sponsors the wedding of 100 couples in Gaza. (Xinhua)
 
Gaza farmers are turning to growing herbs for a living. (AP)
 
A UN report details the abuse of children during Syrian war. (New York Times)
 
Syrian forces bomb a mosque, killing 11 people. (AP)
 
Large numbers of Syrian refugees are stuck on the Turkish border. (Reuters)
 
US intelligence chief Clapper says Pres. Assad has strengthened his grip on power. (New York Times)
 
US representative to the Syrian opposition Ford is retiring. (New York Times)
 
Bombings in central Baghdad killed 22 people. (AP)
 
Oil shipments from Iraq to Jordan are halted due to security concerns. (Reuters)
 
Eight are killed in a shootout between Tunisian security forces and extremists. (AP)
 
Libya says all its chemical weapons have been destroyed. (AP)
 
12 are injured in an attack on an elementary school in Libya. (Xinhua)
 
Bahrain increases the penalties for insulting the king. (Reuters)
 
Egypt summons representatives from Qatar and Bosnia due to pro-Morsi statements. (Xinhua)
 
Former Pres. Morsi's trial resumes. (Xinhua)
 
King Abdullah of Jordan embarks on a trip to the US and Mexico. (Xinhua)
 
Kerry has completed a first whirlwind year as Secretary of State. (AP/AFP)

COMMENTARY:
 
Peter Beinart questions the actual commitment of mainstream pro-Israel American groups to a two-state solution. (Ha’aretz)

Thomas Friedman says a third intifada is already underway in the form of nonviolent resistance and boycotts. (The New York Times)

Ali Ibrahim says the ongoing peace talks represent the last chance for the
Palestinians and Israel to end this conflict. (Asharq Alawsat)
 
Carter Eskew says his sources tell him that Obama appreciates Kerry’s drive and initiative. (The Washington Post)
 
David Gardner says the ongoing Israeli settlements are killing any idea of establishing a viable Palestinian state. (The Gulf News)
 
The Gulf News says the Palestinians should rely on a UN force as a buffer between Israel and a future Palestinian state. (The Gulf News)
 
David Horovitz says the newly launched Arabic site of “The Times of Israel” will illuminate “Israel’s democracy.” (The Times of Israel)

Ben Caspit says Israeli security officials recognize “historic” changes in Iran. (Al-Monitor)
 
The Jordan Times says the US should start talking to the Syrian regime to end the war. (The Jordan Times) 

Peter Millett says Assad has to leave power. (The Jordan Times)
 
Madawi Al-Rasheed questions the effectiveness of the new Saudi anti-terror law intended to prevent Saudis from joining the war in Syria and elsewhere. (Al-Monitor)
 
The Washington Post says the US must demand the release of detained journalists in Egypt. (The Washington Post)
 
Wael Nawara says the American “Working Group on Egypt” offered the wrong advice. (Al-Monitor)

NEWS:
 
PLO chief negotiator Erekat says no progress has been made in talks yet. (Ma'an)
 
Pres. Perez praises Sec. Kerry's peace efforts. (AFP) 
 
NSA Rice complains about "unfounded and unacceptable" criticism of Kerry by Israeli officials. (YNet) 
 
Palestinian refugees are fleeing the Yarmouk refugee camp in Syria. (AFP)
 
Palestinian diplomat Nasser al-Kidwa, deputy head of the international team running the Syria peace talks, is dismissed at the demand of the Syrian government. (Reuters)
 
The EU envoy to Israel warns of greater isolation if settlement activities continue. (AP) 
 
An Israeli court orders the state to explain why an extension to the separation barrier is dividing Palestinian towns. (Ha'aretz)
 
Hamas rejects Pres. Abbas' efforts to achieve peace with Israel. (Xinhua) 
 
Hamas redeploys its forces along the border with Israel. (Ma'an)
 
Islamic Jihad threatens to sabotage any peace agreement. (Times of Israel) 
 
Palestinians accuse Israeli settlers of attacking farms. (AP) 
 
Palestinians are planning to centralize their electricity sector. (The Media Line)
 
FIFA says Israel is finally helping to facilitate Palestinian soccer. (Ha'aretz)
 
An Israeli officer is killed near the Gaza border by "friendly fire." (Xinhua) 
 
Middle East scholar Barry Rubin dies at 64. (YNet) 
 
AIPAC's push for new sanctions against Iran appears to be blunted. (New York Times)
 
Kerry reportedly tells Congress US Syria policy is failing. (Daily Beast/Washington Post/Bloomberg) 
 
Russia says Syria is preparing to ship out some of its chemical weapons. (Reuters) 
 
Syrian government forces bomb a mosque, killing five people. (AP) 
 
Video of the arrest of journalists in Egypt is seen as a new threat to the media in that country. (New York Times)

Bombings around Baghdad kill seven people. (AP) 
 
The Iraqi government is giving away millions in food aid. (New York Times) 
 
Two are killed in an attack on a military bus in Yemen. (AP) 
 
Rebels and local tribesmen agree to a cease-fire in northern Yemen. (Reuters) 
 
Seven militants and a policeman are killed in a raid in Tunisia. (Reuters) 
 
A new suicide bombing in Beirut makes Hezbollah and Lebanese security forces seem impotent. (Christian Science Monitor) 
 
Pres. Obama will visit Saudi Arabia next month, where he will face significant diplomaticchallenges. (AP/AFP) 
 
Saudi Arabia makes it illegal for citizens to fight in foreign conflicts. (AP) 
 
Commentary:
 
Ha’aretz rebukes PM Netanyahu for disputing Kerry’s statement on the prospect of intensifying boycotts if peace talks fail. (Ha’aretz)
 
Akiva Eldar says settlers are growing increasingly nervous Netanyahu may plan to evacuate some of them. (Al Monitor) 
 
Caroline Glick calls Kerry’s statement on boycotts “anti-Semitic.”
(The Jerusalem Post)
 
The National says the boycott campaign against Israeli settlements is gaining momentum. (The National) 
 
Shaul Arieli says Netanyahu should agree to Kerry’s plan to further the “realistic goals of Zionism.” (Ha’aretz)
 
Hassan Barari says resigning could be Abbas' only option if he wants to avoid accepting or rejecting Kerry’s plan. (The Jordan Times) 

Elhanan Miller says Abbas is trapped between all kinds of difficult pressures. (Times of Israel) 
 
David Landau says Israel’s left must speak out in support of Kerry’s plan. (Ha’aretz)
 
Shlomo Avineri says settlers must vacate Palestinian land and relocate to the Israeli sovereignty. (The Jerusalem Post)
 
Roger Cohen expresses optimism on the Palestinian-Israeli peace talks. (The New York Times)
 
Peter Beaumont says Netanyahu might ultimately agree to Kerry’s plan because of his narrowed room of maneuverability. (The Gulf News)
 
Jonathan Schanzer says the balance of power in the Middle East is getting increasingly difficult to determine. (Foreign Policy) 

Faisal Al Yafai says Pres. Obama is focused on disengaging from the Middle East. (The National) 

Hassan Hassan says the Muslim Brotherhood was never "moderate," even though many Western academics claimed they were. (The National) 

Nervana Mahmoud says Gen. Sisi must focus on stabilizing the country if he becomes the next president. (Al-Monitor) 
 
Mshari Al-Zaydi criticizes former Pres. Morsi for the contempt of court that he showed in his trial. (Asharq Alawsat)
 
Gareth Smyth says Iran’s own reality is a major obstacle to realizing its economic goals. (The Daily Star) 

The Gulf News says Qatar must restrain cleric Qaradawi. (The Gulf News)
 
The Gulf News says the US should consider the interests of the other parties in its deal with Iran. (The Gulf News)
 
The Wall Street Journal says the US should help the “good Arab model” in Tunisia. (The Wall Street Journal)
 
Hussein Ibish asks if Libya's recent soccer victory could help reunite the country. (NOW)

News:

Pres. Abbas seeks a temporary NATO peacekeeping force in a future Palestinian state. (The New York Times/Ma’an)

PM Netanyahu dismisses Sec. Kerry’s warnings over intensified boycotts if peace talks fail. (AP/The New York Times)

The State Department defends Kerry’s boycott statement. (Ynet)

FM Judeh says Jordan would reject any agreement that does not uphold its interest. (Xinhua/ The Jordan Times)

Israel dismantles a symbolic anti-settlement protest camp in the Jordan River Valley. (Xinhua)

DM Ya’alon claims settlements are not an obstacle to peace. (Ynet)

Extremist settlers uproot 1700 olive seedlings in two villages in the occupied West Bank. (The Times of Israel/AP)

UNRWA distributes additional 715 food parcels in Yarmouk camp. (Ma’an)

Israel offers Turkey $20 million for the flotilla incident victims. (Xinhua)

Israel returns 30 Palestinian bodies to their families. (AP)

The PA seeks to increase electricity production to reduce dependence on Israel. (The Media Line)

The Israeli settlement-based SodaStream company accuses Oxfam of funding the boycott movement. (The Jerusalem Post)

Rock star Roger Waters criticises actress Scarlett Johansson over her support of Israeli settlements. (The Jerusalem Post)

Al-Qaeda reportedly again breaks ties with ISIS. (AP/Reuters)

The Syrian regime kills 36 people in Aleppo. (AP)

A car bombing in Iraq kills 10 people. (AP)

A car bomb kills three people in a Lebanese Shiite town. (AP)

The World Food Programme cannot meet the needs of the Syrian people. (AP)

Pres. Obama will face major issues when visiting Saudi Arabia. (The National)

The UAE summons the Qatari Ambassador to protest comments by cleric Qaradawi. (Xinhua)

Hillary Clinton warns Congress that new Iran sanctions could upend talks. (AP)

FM Zarif says a nuclear deal is possible within six months. (Reuters)

Commentary:

Thomas Friedman says there will be no deal between Israelis and Palestinians if Israel insists on a lengthy stay in the West Bank. (The New York Times)

S. Daniel Abraham says it’s time for Netanyahu to put together a strategy to implement peace if Kerry’s plan succeeds. (Ha’aretz)

Moshe Arens says there is “little chance” for the Palestinians and Israel to reach an agreement. (Ha’aretz)

Gideon Levy says Israel is already a bi-national state. (Ha’aretz)

Emily Hauser says Israel must raise the alarm about settler violence. (Ha’aretz)

Steven Rosen says refugees would be a major destabilizing factor to a future Palestinian state. (Foreign Policy)

The National says Obama will hear tough talk from the Saudis when he visits Riyadh next month. (The National)

Abdul Rahman Al-Rashed says Pres. Assad has no plans to leave power. (Asharq Alawsat)

The Jordan Times blames world powers for the failure of the Geneva II peace talks. (The Jordan Times)

Amer Al Sabaileh warns that the resumption of US support to the Syrian opposition will be a source of tension between Amman and Damascus. (The Jordanian Times)

Amal Mousa elucidates the reasons behind the latest triumph of modern values over the Islamist principles in Tunisia. (Asharq Alawsat)

The Gulf News calls on all Lebanese to step back from the deadly violence that is engulfing their country. (The Gulf News)

Fareed Zakaria thinks that Pres. Rouhani and Zarif are “moderates who seek greater integration of Iran with the world.” (The Daily Star)

Abdullah Al Shayji expresses dismay at the way Obama handled Arab countries in his State of the Union speech. (The Gulf News)

Joschka Fischer says the Middle East is disintegrating because of the “partial withdrawal of the US.” (The Daily Star)

Sawsan Al-Abtah says the prevalence of violence in the Arab world emanates from the “fragility of the Arab identity.” (Asharq Alawsat)

News:

Sec. Kerry will brief the Quartet in Munich on the Israeli-Palestinian peace talks. (Ha’aretz)

The US Special Envoy for Israeli-Palestinian negotiations Indyk outlines the framework agreement toJewish leaders. (Ma’an/The Jerusalem Post/JTA)

Israeli fighter jets strike Gaza, injuring seven people. (Xinhua/Ma’an)

An Israeli Minister calls Pres. Abbas the world’s most “anti-semitic” leader. (Ha’aretz)

DM Ya’alon expresses doubt in the prospect of democracy in the Arab world. (The Jerusalem Post)

Israeli occupation forces prevent a Palestinian activist from traveling to Jordan. (Ma’an)

Gaza’s youth seek employment in Qatar. (Al-Monitor)

An Israeli car rental company discriminates against Arabs. (Ha’aretz)

The first round of the Syrian peace talks ends in deadlock.  (Reuters)

The Syrian government delegation seeks Pres. Assad’s approval to return to the talks. (Reuters)

The Syrian regime kills 16 people in Aleppo. (AP)

Turkish jets attack an ISIL convoy in Syria. (Al Jazeera)

Ansar Beit al-Maqdis claims responsibility for the assassination of a police officer in Cairo. (AP)

Saudi Arabia will give $4 billion to Egypt in the form of deposits and oil products. (Xinhua)

Egypt arrests 11 Muslim Brotherhood members accused of incitement. (AP)

Libya’s parliament sets a date for a national election to choose a constitutional panel.  (AP)

An Iraqi-American launches a grassroots campaign to win the mayoral position in Washington, DC. (Al Jazeera)

Commentary:

Khaled Diab questions the efficacy of boycotting Israel to end the occupation. (Ha’aretz)

George Hishmeh discusses how PM Netanyahu has resorted to his 'flip flop tactics' to delay peace negotiations. (Gulf News)

Yoel Marcus says there will be no final agreement without evacuating all of the settlers from a Palestinian state. (Ha’aretz)

Giora Eiland says Israel cannot afford the estimated $34 billion needed to relocate settlers. (Ynet)

Avi Issacharoff says if peace talks fail it won't be Kerry’s fault. (The Times of Israel)

Ben Caspit says Kerry might address the Israeli public on the framework agreement. (Al-Monitor)

Eric Yoffie says Israelis and Palestinians must keep religion out of the conflict. (Ha’aretz)

Michael Jansen critiques the US position regarding the Geneva II talks. (Jordan Times)

The Wall Street Journal says the White House’s claims of victory in Syria are greatly exaggerated. (The Wall Street Journal)

Alan Philps says Ennahda has learned lessons  from the Brotherhood’s downfall in Egypt and the mayhem in Syria. (The National)

Sarah Mersch says the new Tunisian constitution is “full of contradictions.” (The Daily Star)

The Christian Science Monitor says the approval of the Tunisian constitution should be considered the restart of the “Arab Spring.” (The Christian Science Monitor)

H.A. Hellyer says the Egyptian military is betting its popularity in backing Gen. Sisi to be the next president. (The National)

Stephen Hadley says Americans should be proud of what has been achieved in Iraq. (The Wall Street Journal)

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