“Opposing outside influence on both Israel and the Palestinians, and claiming that any pressure is the same as imposing a solution, is a sure way to block peace,” writes FMEP’s Mitchell Plitnick. “In fact, outside pressure does not interfere with bilateral talks, it facilitates them.”

“European leaders seem to have come to the realization that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu can’t be taken at his word,” writes Ben Caspit.

Israeli Major General (res.) Amos Yadlin analyzes the fundamental disparities between the US and Israel that are holding up negotiations on the aid deal.

Every day, 11-year-old Mahmud Ali, unlike kids in the western side of East Jerusalem, returns to Shuafat, a walled refugee camp with shoddy infrastructure, after he finishes his school day. Ali says he and his friends have no place to spend their spare time, so they play at a garbage mound that came into being because the municipality doesn’t collect the garbage from the neighborhood.

PLO’s Saeb Erekat says talks have ground to a halt due to Israel’s rejection of Palestinian requests to resume full security duties in Area A.

“A video showing a Border Police officer demonstrating admirable professionalism and politeness in his interaction with activists has gone viral in recent days. But behind this purportedly exemplary civility is a much grimmer reality,” writes Lisa Goldman.

“A 24-year-old Palestinian and her teenage brother were shot and killed by Israeli troops after allegedly trying to stab Border Police officers. The police’s version of the events doesn’t add up, but nobody in Israel, including the media, feels the need to ask questions,” writes Mairav Zonzsein.