The Obama administration is in its final few months, and talk of a narrowing “window of opportunity” in which it can act on Palestine-Israel has gathered pace. Speculation on whether President Barack Obama will take any measures has been combined with skepticism that any measure could have a positive impact on the ground.

“Last month’s decision by the Palestinian Authority to schedule municipal elections in early October hardly registered in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, much less here in Washington. In light of Hamas’ recent decision to take part in the process, however, those elections have suddenly taken on new meaning,” writes Khaled Elgindy.

Hamas has decided to participate in local and municipal elections in the West Bank and will use its successes or failures there as a barometer to gauge Palestinian public opinion; meanwhile, internal Hamas elections are due to be held, potentially changing the face of the terrorist organization.

Hamas chief Khaled Mashaal does not believe that Hamas is a terrorist organization, and would be prepared to accept a Palestinian state along the pre-1967 lines with Jerusalem as its capital and with the “right of return” for Palestinian refugees, he told India’s English-language New Delhi Television (NDTV) station .

“Israeli web surfers post comments that incite hatred against Arabs, and the police are doing little to stop them,” writes Shlomi Eldar.

Arab MKs rejected Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s outreach on Monday in the release of YouTube videos urging the country’s 1.65 million Arab citizens to engage further in society. Joint List chairman Ayman Odeh – in a biting response on Tuesday – said, “Mr. Prime Minister, you are right about one thing. We really want to be part of society. But maybe I’ll surprise you now saying, we do not want to be second-class citizens in a racist and occupying state.”

The Justice Ministry Police Investigation Unit has decided to close the file against Border Policemen caught on film while repeatedly shooting at a Palestinian attacker outside Jerusalem’s Old City after he had fallen to the ground.