News:
Fatah considers appointing a deputy to Pres. Abbas. (Times of Israel)
Hamas says it will intensify discussions with Fatah in an effort to promote reconciliation.(Xinhua)
PM Netanyahu will meet Pres. Obama in Washington next month. (Xinhua/Ha’aretz)
The White House reaffirms Obama’s support for Sec. Kerry’s peace efforts. (The Jerusalem Post)
Israeli Economy Minister Bennett claims that well-intentioned peace efforts have the “opposite effect” provoking violence and instability. (Times of Israel)
FM Lieberman praises Kerry’s initiative. (Xinhua)
Israeli security forces are accused of using Palestinian children to gather intelligence. (ABC)
Despite DM Ya’alon’s pledge, unauthorized settlement construction continues in the occupied West Bank. (Ha’aretz)
Israeli ministers reject a controversial bill to annex settlements in the occupied West Bank. (Xinhua)
According to Palestinian factions, a political initiative is underway for rebel fighters to leave the Yarmouk refugee camp in Syria. (Xinhua)
An Israeli military airstrike targeting a Palestinian militant in Gaza leaves two wounded. (AP/The New York Times)
Jewish Israeli “price tag” extremists slash tires and spray graffiti in an Arab neighborhood in Jerusalem. (AP/Ma’an/Ha’aretz)
The PA is planning for an airport in the occupied West Bank and a seaport and railway line in the Gaza strip. (Ma’an/Ynet)
The Syrian peace talks resume in Geneva. (AP/Reuters/The New York Times)
France will introduce a resolution in the UN Security Council to help bring humanitarian aid to the Syrian people. (AP)
A rebel attack on a Syrian Alawite village kills 40 people. (AP)
Egypt accuses the Muslim Brotherhood of forming a military wing. (AP)
A Kuwaiti MP seeks to emulate the Saudi law against citizens fighting abroad. (Reuters)
One of their own truck bombs accidentally kills 25 Al-Qaeda extremists in Iraq. (Xinhua)
Iraqi Shiite militia, Asaib Ahl al-Haq, reportedly admits remobilizing in targeted killing. (The Washington Post)
Tunisia arrests a suspect in the assassination of opposition politician Brahmi. (BBC)
Commentary:
ATFP Pres. Ziad Asali says a new dynamic is developing in the Middle East that has the potential to build a better future for the Arab world. (Asharq Alawsat)
Hussein Ibish says some “BDS” rhetoric is harming European anti-settlement, pro-peace boycotts campaigns. (The National)
Hanan Ashrawi says BDS empowers Palestinians and worldwide activists to stand for justice and human rights and against settlements. (Ha’aretz)
Moshe Arens says the BDS movement is an attempt to delegitimize Israel. (Ha’aretz)
Peter Joseph and Charles Bronfman say Kerry has proven himself to be a true and loyal friend of Israel. (The Jerusalem Post)
The New York Times says Netanyahu could face the possibility of having to form a new coalition if he really wants to move forward on a peace deal. (The New York Times)
Eitan Haber says Netanyahu will rely on the defense establishment in formulating his response to Kerry’s plan. (Ynet)
Ali Hashem interviews Fatah leader Jibril Rajoub during his visit to Iran. (Al-Monitor)
Oudeh Basharat says Israeli society pays the price for excluding Arabs by embracing racism and discrimination. (Ha’aretz)
The Jordan Times says the Jordanian government will secure its interests in any peace deal between the Palestinians and Israel. (The Jordan Times)
Amer Al Sabaileh complains about the lack of communication between the Jordanian government and the people over Kerry’s initiative. (The Jordan Times)
Renee Ghert-Zand says launching an Arabic site of the The Times of Israel can help build bridges between Jews and Arabs. (Forward)
Bassem Sabry says Gen. Sissi is poised to win presidency if he decides to run in the elections. (Al-Monitor)
Neil Hicks responds to a critical op-ed by Wael Nawara accusing the American “Working Group on Egypt” of offering bad advice. (Al-Monitor)
Ahmed Maher from inside a prison in Egypt accuses the US government of supporting oppression in his country. (The Washington Post)
Manuel Almeida says if Russia manages to maintain influence in Ukraine it might be less committed to Pres. Assad. (Asharq Alawsat)