A US proposal for a 90-day settlement freeze extension is expected to
be adopted by the Israeli cabinet. It may anticipate that the outlines
of borders can be set in the next three months. Defense analysts say
Israel could not turn down so many advanced fighter jets. The New York
Times says PM Netanyahu should stop playing games and get serious
about peace, and Tom Friedman says he seems to think he can fly. A new
book looks at graffiti art in Gaza. PM Fayyad says Palestinians need
political, but not security, pluralism. Israel claims Hamas missiles
can reach Tel Aviv. Fatah and Hamas blame each other for failed unity
talks. Zvi Bar'el says it might make sense for Palestinians to seek UN
recognition. Aluf Benn says Pres. Obama really wants Netanyahu to
change his cabinet. The Independent profiles an Israeli holocaust
survivor who is harassed for renting rooms to Palestinian students.
The National says the US is an enabler, not a friend, of Israel.
Hussein Shobokshi accuses Israel of racism. Ghanem Nuseibeh says Arab
states must be part of a peace arrangement.
In lengthy meetings with PM Netanyahu, Sec. Clinton is attempting to
restart peace negotiations and may be offering security inducements.
Former PM Sharon, still in a coma, is being moved home. Pres. Abbas
tells Israelis peace is more important settlements. The Fatah official
who has been conducting them says talks with Hamas are pointless.
Palestinians commemorate the death of Pres. Arafat. A Palestinian man
had been arrested in the West Bank for blasphemy. Ha'aretz says
Netanyahu used his US trip to embarrass Pres. Obama, and that a split
within Fatah further threatens Palestinian unity. Israeli bureaucracy
causes chaos at checkpoints. Kadima leader Livni calls the Netanyahu
Cabinet “schizophrenic.” A senior Republican expresses concern about
aid to the Palestinians. David Horovitz says the settlement issue has
trapped all parties. George Hishmeh says Obama can still achieve
peace. Ezzedine Choukri Fishere says the Arab Peace Initiative is
still important, Marwan Muasher calls it not only relevant but
desirable, Amre Moussa says the Arab League is still committed to it
and Nabeel Shaath looks at its genesis, development and present
status.
The US continues to work on resuming peace negotiations and extends
$150 million in new aid to the PA. The LA Times says Israeli
settlement construction must stop. The CSM looks at why PM Netanyahu
has restarted the settlement controversy. Time Magazine says Egyptian
intelligence helped Israel assassinate a Palestinian extremist.
Senator Kerry says Israel may extend the settlement freeze, but FM
Lieberman says it won't. Palestinians in the West Bank commemorate the
late Pres. Arafat, but Hamas bans and breaks up commemorations in
Gaza. Despite a PA ban, Palestinians continue to work on building
settlements. Sec. Clinton warns against unilateral steps. Fatah-Hamas
dialogue ends without progress. Lieberman says there is no point in
negotiating with Syria. Larry Derfner says Israel is wrong about
religious sites in the West Bank. The UN says the easing of the
blockade has not improved conditions in Gaza. With diplomatic
deadlock, Palestinian citizens of Israel become more significant
players. The Forward critiques PM Netanyahu's rhetoric on Jerusalem.
The National says it's time for the US to show it's an honest broker.
Elias Harfoush says Arab states that didn't respond to Pres. Obama's
initiatives helped strengthen Netanyahu. The Arab News says Muslims
want action on Palestine, not find words, from Obama.
The US and Israel spar over settlement expansion plans, which PM
Netanyahu says are completely unrelated to peace, but Ha'aretz calls a
pointless provocation. Robert Danin says Israel needs a vision for
peace. Israel's easing of the blockade hurts some Gaza businesses.
Occupation forces raid a Palestinian town. Palestinians say it's time
to recognize their state. Artifacts keep the narrative of Pres. Arafat
alive. Israel arrests a Hamas official in the West Bank. The Knesset
is set to deny former MK Azmi Bishara's pension. An Israeli paper
claims the PA has de facto control in Palestinian areas of occupied
East Jerusalem. Kadima leader Tzipi Livni says a two-state solution is
the only way to keep Israel Jewish and democratic. Another imam is
arrested in Israel for incitement. Desperate Gazans seek work in the
dangerous ³buffer zone.² Jonathan Cook says Israel's tactics are
uniting Palestinians. Hussein Shobokshi decries the international
double standard on Israel's nuclear weapons. Osama Al Sharif says
Pres. Obama's midterm defeat is bad news for peace.
Israel plans 1,300 new settlement units in sensitive areas of occupied
East Jerusalem and the West Bank, prompting US and Palestinian
protests. Daniel Seidemann and Lara Friendman say PM Netanyahu must
have approved the plans. Doyle McManus and Yossi Alpher both think
Pres. Obama might now emphasize foreign policy goals. UNSG Ban calls
for renewed peace efforts. The PA says Shin Bet officers met with
Hamas officials. Israel continues to quarrel with the UN over
religious sites in the occupied territories. Hamas bans a
commemoration of the late Pres. Arafat in Gaza. Jesse Rosenfeld says
extremist settlers are now targeting Israeli citizens. Linda Heard
says Israel¹s intransigence is suicidal. Ghassan Khatib says Obama
will continue to dictate US policy and Akiva Eldar says he should
unveil bold new American peace proposals.