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News:
The US will ask Israel to freeze some of its settlement activities. (Xinhua/AFP/The Jerusalem Post)
Israeli negotiator Livni calls Sec. Kerry a “game changer” in the peace process. (The Jerusalem Post)
German-Israeli ties are at all-times low as Chancellor Merkel prepares to visit Israel. (Ha’aretz)
FM Judeh says Israel does not have the power to cancel Jordan’s role as custodian of Muslim and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem. (The Jordan Times)
A Tel Aviv district court rules that the Likud party can debate Kerry’s initiative at its conventions. (Ha’aretz)
Palestinians accuse Israel of committing “violations” against the Al-Aqsa mosque. (Xinhua)
Jewish “price tag” extremists vandalize 30 Palestinian cars in occupied East Jerusalem. (Xinhua/Ha’aretz)
Israeli Labour party leader Herzog says not all criticism of Israel is anti-semitic. (The Jerusalem Post)
FM Lieberman says American Jews are facing a demographic catastrophe. (Ha’aretz)
American lawmakers ask the House leadership to invite PM Netanyahu to give an address. (JTA)
A trip to the occupied West Bank for Israel’s pre-army cadets sparks protests among Israelis. (Ha’aretz)
The construction of the planned city of Rawabi is cited by some as an example of Palestinian-Israeli cooperation. (The Times of Israel/Ynet)
A new Gallup poll reveals that Americans have a more favorable view of the PA and Egypt compared to a year ago. (The Jerusalem Post)
Arab Idol winner Assaf is invited to sing at the opening ceremony of FIFA’s upcoming Congress. (Ma’an)
Robert Malley is appointed Senior Director at the National Security Council. (The Times of Israel/The New York Times/Ha’aretz) 
The Turkish government will offer residency to Palestinian refugees fleeing Syria. (Ma’an)
Syrian aid workers evacuate more people from Homs. (AP)
Syrian rebels seek to persuade Pres. Obama to provide them with advanced weapons. (The Washington Post)
A UN official confirms they are talking to the Al-Qaeda-linked Jabhat al-Nusraregarding humanitarian aid in Syria. (Foreign Policy)
Russia says a UN resolution on humanitarian aid access in Syria is within reach. (Reuters)
An Al-Qaeda-linked group claims responsibility for a suicide bombing in Beirut that killed four people. (AP/Reuters/The New York Times)
Two Libyan militias demand that Libya’s interim parliament step down or face arrest. (AP)
Black Tunisians say racism is still an issue in their country. (The National)
Commentary:
Naser al-Tamimi says recognizing Israel as a Jewish state “will open a door” to new conflicts rather than solving existing ones. (Al Arabiya)
Mustafa Barghouti says Kerry’s initiative will not lead to a Palestinian state. (The Daily Star)
Peter Beinart says the Jewish critics of Israeli policy in the occupied West Bank are not naive. (Ha’aretz)
Eric Yoffie says Israel would be isolated and vulnerable without AIPAC’s support in Washington. (Ha’aretz)
Miriam Elder and Sheera Frankel ask whether Pres. Peres is the only man in Israel who still believes in peace. (Buzzfeed)
Thomas Friedman profiles a Palestinian citizen of Israel who is a scientist at Technion University. (The New York Times)
Ben Caspit says Israel is waiting for Egypt to take necessary action in Sinai. (Al-Monitor)
The New York Times says the US must avoid going to war in Syria while continuing searching for a political solution. (The New York Times)
Michael Rubin accuses the US of ignoring Syrian Kurds. (The Wall Street Journal)
 
The National condemns global indifference to the plight of Syrian refugee children. (The National)
Octavia Nasr says Lebanon’s new government can help avert a presidential election crisis and an ensuing vacuum. (Al Arabiya)
Khairallah Khairallah says the late PM Hariri was assassinated because he restored life to Lebanon. (Al Arabiya)
Delphine Minoui says the “personality cult” of Field Marshal Sisi has reached a level of collective madness in Egypt. (The New York Times)
Osama Al Sharif says Sisi is the only hope for Egypt now. (The Jordan Times)
Smadar Perry says Egypt is downplaying its ties with Israel. (Ynet)
The Jordan Times says the meeting between Obama and King Abdullah II was the longest summit between the two leaders. (The Jordan Times)
Omar Mahmood says the greatest threat to the GCC is Iran’s asymmetric capabilities. (Royal United Services Institute)
Jeffrey Goldberg interviews Gary Samore, former Obama Administration chief expert on WMDs, who says nuclear talks with Iran have "virtually no chance of success." (Bloomberg)
News:
The US will ask Israel to freeze some of its settlement activities. (Xinhua/AFP/The Jerusalem Post)
Israeli negotiator Livni calls Sec. Kerry a “game changer” in the peace process. (The Jerusalem Post)
German-Israeli ties are at all-times low as Chancellor Merkel prepares to visit Israel. (Ha’aretz)
FM Judeh says Israel does not have the power to cancel Jordan’s role as custodian of Muslim and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem. (The Jordan Times)
A Tel Aviv district court rules that the Likud party can debate Kerry’s initiative at its conventions. (Ha’aretz)
Palestinians accuse Israel of committing “violations” against the Al-Aqsa mosque. (Xinhua)
Jewish “price tag” extremists vandalize 30 Palestinian cars in occupied East Jerusalem. (Xinhua/Ha’aretz)
Israeli Labour party leader Herzog says not all criticism of Israel is anti-semitic. (The Jerusalem Post)
FM Lieberman says American Jews are facing a demographic catastrophe. (Ha’aretz)
American lawmakers ask the House leadership to invite PM Netanyahu to give an address. (JTA)
A trip to the occupied West Bank for Israel’s pre-army cadets sparks protests among Israelis. (Ha’aretz)
The construction of the planned city of Rawabi is cited by some as an example of Palestinian-Israeli cooperation. (The Times of Israel/Ynet)
A new Gallup poll reveals that Americans have a more favorable view of the PA and Egypt compared to a year ago. (The Jerusalem Post)
Arab Idol winner Assaf is invited to sing at the opening ceremony of FIFA’s upcoming Congress. (Ma’an)
Robert Malley is appointed Senior Director at the National Security Council. (The Times of Israel/The New York Times/Ha’aretz) 
The Turkish government will offer residency to Palestinian refugees fleeing Syria. (Ma’an)
Syrian aid workers evacuate more people from Homs. (AP)
Syrian rebels seek to persuade Pres. Obama to provide them with advanced weapons. (The Washington Post)
A UN official confirms they are talking to the Al-Qaeda-linked Jabhat al-Nusraregarding humanitarian aid in Syria. (Foreign Policy)
Russia says a UN resolution on humanitarian aid access in Syria is within reach. (Reuters)
An Al-Qaeda-linked group claims responsibility for a suicide bombing in Beirut that killed four people. (AP/Reuters/The New York Times)
Two Libyan militias demand that Libya’s interim parliament step down or face arrest. (AP)
Black Tunisians say racism is still an issue in their country. (The National)
Commentary:
Naser al-Tamimi says recognizing Israel as a Jewish state “will open a door” to new conflicts rather than solving existing ones. (Al Arabiya)
Mustafa Barghouti says Kerry’s initiative will not lead to a Palestinian state. (The Daily Star)
Peter Beinart says the Jewish critics of Israeli policy in the occupied West Bank are not naive. (Ha’aretz)
Eric Yoffie says Israel would be isolated and vulnerable without AIPAC’s support in Washington. (Ha’aretz)
Miriam Elder and Sheera Frankel ask whether Pres. Peres is the only man in Israel who still believes in peace. (Buzzfeed)
Thomas Friedman profiles a Palestinian citizen of Israel who is a scientist at Technion University. (The New York Times)
Ben Caspit says Israel is waiting for Egypt to take necessary action in Sinai. (Al-Monitor)
The New York Times says the US must avoid going to war in Syria while continuing searching for a political solution. (The New York Times)
Michael Rubin accuses the US of ignoring Syrian Kurds. (The Wall Street Journal)
 
The National condemns global indifference to the plight of Syrian refugee children. (The National)
Octavia Nasr says Lebanon’s new government can help avert a presidential election crisis and an ensuing vacuum. (Al Arabiya)
Khairallah Khairallah says the late PM Hariri was assassinated because he restored life to Lebanon. (Al Arabiya)
Delphine Minoui says the “personality cult” of Field Marshal Sisi has reached a level of collective madness in Egypt. (The New York Times)
Osama Al Sharif says Sisi is the only hope for Egypt now. (The Jordan Times)
Smadar Perry says Egypt is downplaying its ties with Israel. (Ynet)
The Jordan Times says the meeting between Obama and King Abdullah II was the longest summit between the two leaders. (The Jordan Times)
Omar Mahmood says the greatest threat to the GCC is Iran’s asymmetric capabilities. (Royal United Services Institute)
Jeffrey Goldberg interviews Gary Samore, former Obama Administration chief expert on WMDs, who says nuclear talks with Iran have "virtually no chance of success." (Bloomberg)
News:
Sec. Kerry will meet with Pres. Abbas in Paris to discuss the current peace talks. (AP/Reuters)
A Palestinian official says no date has been set for Kerry’s framework. (Xinhua)
The US reportedly has recently offered to compile a list of Palestinian refugeesinterested in settling in Israel. (The Times of Israel)
Sen. Kaine urges PM Netanyahu to cooperate with Kerry. (JTA)
Finance Minister Lapid warns that failure of peace talks would leave Israel facing ademographic threat. (Ynet/The Jerusalem Post)
Economy Minister Bennett claims that a Palestinian state would lead to more terrorism. (Ynet)
PM Hamdallah says Kerry’s economic initiative will decrease the Palestinian unemployment rate. (Ma’an)
An Israeli settler advocacy group targets Kerry in a new satirical website. (Ha’aretz)
Netanyahu calls boycotters of Israel “anti-semites.” (AP)
Hamas reportedly sends a message to Netanyahu asking him to avoid military action.(Ma’an/Ha’aretz)
Israeli occupation forces might end the night arrests of Palestinians.(The Jerusalem Post)
Israeli occupation forces detain nine Palestinians in overnight raids across the West Bank. (Ma’an)
Palestinians seek UN Heritage status for an ancient village in the occupied West Bank. (AFP)
A young Gaza comedy troupe seeks laughs without offending Hamas. (The Washington Post)
The bombings in Aleppo force a new wave of Syrian civilians to flee. (The New York Times)
A four year old Syrian boy crosses the Jordanian desert to reunite with his family. (Al Arabiya)
Syrian government forces regain full control of a village in Hama. (AP/Reuters)
The US opposes the supply of the shoulder-fired missiles to the Syrian rebels. (Reuters)
Saudi Arabia blames the Syrian regime for the failure of the Geneva II talks. (The National)
Ansar Beit al-Maqdis claims responsibility for Egypt’s tourist bus blast and warns tourists to leave the country. (Xinhua/Reuters)
Egypt refers two Israelis and two Egyptians to trial for allegedly forming an espionage ring for Israel. (Reuters/The Times of Israel)
Kerry is in Tunisia to laud recent political compromises and the new Constitution.(AP/The New York Times)
Saudi Arabia aims to counter Islamist radicalization on the internet. (The National)
Car bombings kill at least 33 people in Iraq. (AP)
Commentary:
The Jordan Times commends Abbas’s comments aimed at allaying Israel’s concern over Palestinian refugees. (The Jordan Times)
Khaled Diab hopes that one day Arab states and Israel will allow the possibility of return for Arab and Jewish refugees. (Ha’aretz)
Alex Mintz praises Kerry’s maneuverability in the peace talks.(Ynet)
Hagai Segal says Israel is failing to create a broad national consensus over the definition of a Jewish state. (Ynet)
Moshe Amirav says if Israel does not divide Jerusalem with the Palestinians, it will lose it. (Ynet)
Stephen Davis asks if sanctions on Israel would work. (Times of Israel)
Lihi Ben Shitrit and Mahmoud Jaraba say the current political and economic conditions in the occupied West Bank are conducive to the emergence of jihadists. (The Daily Star)
J.J. Goldberg says the Israeli right is becoming antagonistic towards the security establishment. (The Jewish Daily Forward)
Hussein Ibish explains what, exactly, vital American interests are at stake in Syria. (Now Media)
Richard Cohen says Pres. Obama’s policies in Syria do not seem to be working. (The Washington Post)
Michael Gerson criticizes the world’s indifference over the despair of the Syrian refugees. (The Washington Post)
Abdul Rahman Al-Rashed says Muqtada Sadr’s withdrawal from Iraqi politics will help PM Al-Maliki win the upcoming elections. (Asharq Alawsat)
Rami Khouri says the jihadist threat is a “frightening symptom of erratic modern Arab statehood.” (The Daily Star)
Ali Ibrahim interviews former Gen. Anan on his campaign for Egypt’s presidency. (Asharq al-Awsat)
Linda Heard says the new marriage of convenience between Egypt and Russia is justifiable. (The Gulf News)
Abdulkhaleq Abdulla says a sectarian Iran is more dangerous than a nuclear-armed Iran. (The Gulf News)
Faisal Al Yafai says America’s relationship with the Middle East is quickly unravelling. (The National)
John Bolton says Obama’s failures on Iran, Syria and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict will have devastating effects. (The Los Angeles Times)
The Daily Star says Lebanon’s new government has only several months to produce results. (The Daily Star)
Asma Ghribi says Tunisia’s nascent democracy is facing a dilemma on how to fight terrorism without encroaching upon human rights. (Foreign Policy)
Abdel Aziz Aluwaisheg asks whether Saudi-US relations will endure the Syrian debacle. (Arab News)
Sarah bin Ashoor blames Iran for hindering Bahrain’s reform efforts. (The New York Times)
News:
Pres. Abbas signals flexibility on the right of return. (AP/The New York Times/Ma’an)
Abbas says the PA will not share sovereignty over the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem. (Ha’aretz)
Israeli Economy Minister Bennett suggests that Israel may try to assume greater control over the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. (Ha’aretz)
Palestinian negotiator Erekat warns that the failure of the peace talks will lead to thecollapse of the PA. (Xinhua/Ynet)
American Amb. to Israel Shapiro says the framework agreement will have “real significant content.” (Ynet)
Fatah officials claim Hamas will endorse a two-state deal. (The Times of Israel)
Hamas says it will oppose any international force in a future Palestinian state. (AP)
An Israeli opposition leader expresses support for boycotting settlement products. (Ha’aretz)
Bennett says boycotting Israel is “the new anti-semitism.” (The Jerusalem Post)
Israeli occupation forces demolish five Bedouin structures in East Jerusalem. (Ma’an)
Israeli forces confiscate Palestinian land in the occupied West Bank. (Ma’an)
Bodyguards in Gaza open the first private security firm in the area. (The National/AFP)
Rebels evacuate the Yarmouk camp in Syria. (Xinhua)

Pres. Obama is soliciting new policy options for Syria. (The Washington Post/The Los Angeles Times)
Sec. Kerry accuses Russia and Iran of undermining the Geneva II peace talks. (The Washington Post)
The Syrian opposition appoints a new military chief. (AP/Reuters)
Hezbollah leader Nasrallah says his forces will leave Syria if other Arabs stop “meddling.” (Reuters)
A bombing of a tourist bus kills at least three people in Sinai. (The New York Times)
Former Egyptian military chief of staff Anan will run for president. (Xinhua)
A growing number of young Egyptians say the government’s crackdown on the opposition is widening a generation gap. (The New York Times)
Saudi Arabia may begin to try to acquire nuclear weapons because of the P5+1 “first step” deal with Iran. (The Daily Beast)
Lebanese PM Salam forms a cabinet more than 10 months after taking office. (AP/The Daily Star)
A Libyan official says the country’s key factions have agreed to hold early elections. (AP)
Key Iraqi cleric al-Sadr decides to quit politics. (AP/The New York Times)
PM Maliki visits the embattled Anbar Province to announce a rebuilding plan. (Xinhua)
Commentary:
Oudeh Basharat says its time to define the State of Israel. (Ha’aretz)
Akiva Eldar asks if Europe can take the lead if peace talks fail. (Al-Monitor)
Uzi Baram says Jewish radicals are working hard to make Israel an apartheid state. (Ha’aretz)
Gideon Levy says Israeli right-wing’s claim of an “eradication” threat is a myth. (Ha’aretz)
Ha’aretz says it’s unacceptable to legislate against boycott calls. (Ha’aretz)
    
Moshe Arens says the ongoing tumult in the region is complicating ending the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. (Ha’aretz)
Seth Siegel says Arab and Muslim countries can benefit from Israel’s advanced water management. (The New York Times)
Amer Al Sabaileh calls on the Jordanians to rediscover their national identity to protect Jordan’s interests in any peace deal. (The Jordan Times)
Samuel Berger says the US must take action to deal with Al-Qaeda in Syria. (The Washington Post)
Hussein Ibish says the US will pay a price for inaction in Syria. (The National)
Joseph Nye says American prudence does not require an isolationist foreign policy. (The Daily Star)
Stephen Hawking says Syria’s war is an abomination. (The Washington Post)
The Jordan Times says the formation of a transitional government in Syria should be preceded by the cessation of all violence. (The Jordan Times)
The National says warming relations between Egypt and Russia are good for both sides. (The National)
Joyce Karam says Lebanon’s new cabinet can ease tension and build stability away from Syria’s turmoil. (Al Arabiya)
Amal Mousa says extremists Salafis were behind the collapse of Ennahda’s coalition government in Tunis. (Asharq Alawsat)
Amir Taheri worries that Obama might be handing the Middle East to Russia. (The New York Post)
Muhammad Khan says Saudi Arabia and Pakistan will boost their bilateral relations. (Asharq Alawsat)

News:
 
Leaked reports suggest Sec. Kerry’s potential framework proposal could have modest goals. (The Globe and Mail)  

The PA reportedly informs Kerry that it will not accept his framework as it currently stands. (The Times of Israel)

Jewish American leaders send a letter to PM Netanyahu praising Kerry’s efforts. (The Jerusalem Post)

King Abdullah of Jordan urges Jewish American organizations to back Washington’s peace initiative. (The Jordan Times)

Israeli right-wing politicians take part in a demonstration against peace talks. (Xinhua/Ma’an/The Jerusalem Post)

Israeli forces kill a Palestinian man at the Gaza border. (Los Angeles Times/The New York Times)

Representatives of various Palestinian political parties meet in Gaza to discuss negotiations and national reconciliation. (Ma’an)

Hamas objects to UN human rights books in schools. (AP)

A Palestinian family in Hebron is suing the Israeli police for failure to act on evidence of tree vandalism. (Ha’aretz)

Israeli occupation forces raid a house in Bethlehem. (PNN)

Arab idol winner Assaf says he has been “banned” from singing at the World Cup ceremony. (Ma’an)

Washington hopes the Sochi Winter Olympics will force Pres. Putin’s hands on Syria. (Foreign Policy)

Russia rejects a proposal that could remove Pres. Assad from power. (The Wall Street Journal)

Syrian evacuees from Homs comment on their dire living conditions. (The Washington Post)

Barrel bombs wreak havoc in Aleppo's opposition-held neighborhoods . (The Los Angeles Times)

The UN halts the evacuation of civilians from the city of Homs. (AP)

11 people are killed in insurgent attacks in Iraq. (Xinhua) 

Bahrain arrests 29 people at the anniversary of the ongoing uprisings. (AP/Reuters)

Libyan PM Zeidan says the government is safe after an army statement. (Reuters/AFP)

Commentary:

Ha’aretz says the Knesset is doing everything in its power to thwart peace talks. (Ha’aretz)

Elliott Abrams says the US must demand that a future Palestinian state be democratic. (Council on Foreign Relations)

Thomas Friedman says Israelis ought to define what they mean by “the nation state of the Jewish people.” (The New York Times)

Bakir Oweida says the UN can and must do more for Palestinian refugees. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Yossi Sarid says, by rejecting the US-Palestinian anti-incitement proposal, Netanyahu’s government is perpetuating the conflict. (Ha’aretz)

Ben Caspit says Israeli FM Liberman has a secret plan to take over the Likud party. (Al-Monitor)

David Weinberg says the boycott threat against Israel has been inflated. (The Jerusalem Post) 

Noa Osterreicher says Economy Minister Bennett needs a “reality check.”  (Ha’aretz)

The Jerusalem Post says helping Palestinians solve their water issues is not only the right thing to do, but could provide considerable political gains. (The Jerusalem Post)

Ben Barber says compensating Jews from Arab countries may win their support for Kerry’s initiative. (McClatchy)

Barry Leff says the Jerusalem municipality’s planning approval for a Yeshiva council in an Arab neighborhood is more than bad timing.  (The Jerusalem Post)

David Ignatius says a regional accord that defuses the sectarian schism can end the war in Syria. (The Daily Star)

Eyad Abu Shakra blames the Syrian crisis on both American “retrenchment” and reported Iranian collusion with Al-Qaeda groups in Syria. (Asharq Alawsat)

Hassan Mneimneh says recent developments in Syria threaten to deal a serious blow to Al-Qaeda. (The German Marshall Fund)

Adel El-Adawy says the US is an indispensable partner for Egypt, and Russia cannot take its place. (The Washington Institute for Near East Policy)

Mieczyslaw Boduszynski and Kristin Fabbe say the US must speak up against the assaults on democracy in both Egypt and Turkey. (Christian Science Monitor)

José Ciro Martínez says Jordanians are showing signs of restlessness, and any instability in Jordan will reverberate in the whole region. (Los Angeles Times)

The Brookings Institute issues a new study called “The Arab World Learning Barometer”  which highlights shortcomings in educational access and learning among children and youth in the Arab world. (The Brookings Institute)
 

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