"If Obama is not coming to advance a solution to the conflict, he is better off not coming."--Former Shin Bet deputy chief gives his first interview to the media and shares his views.
- EU increasing pressure to mark settlement products - EU Foreign Minister Catherine Ashton has called on 22 EU states to speed implementation of law to mark products made in Judea and Samaria (W. Bank). In letter, she emphasized need to speed up efforts "to achieve the goal." Companies likely to suffer are: Barkan, Shamir Salads, Ahava cosmetic products and Sodastream. (Maariv, p. 1)
- Construction in Judea and Samaria (W. Bank) to be suspended until Obama's visit - Unofficial instructions by Prime Minister's Office stop the publication of construction tenders in Jerusalem. Netanyahu's associates: "It's a temporary step to prevent a diplomatic storm." (Maariv, p. 3)
- Israeli security forces brace for Palestinian protests - Demonstrations expected across West Bank, East Jerusalem in solidarity with Palestinian prisoners in Israel. (Haaretz+)
- Graves of the next intifada's victims are waiting in Dheisheh - 'We are the last generation you can make peace with. There’s a five-year window of opportunity,' says a local Fatah leader facing the rows of new, empty graves. (Haaretz+)
- Netanyahu blasts Erdogan's 'dark and libelous' criticism of Zionism - Turkish prime minister called Zionism 'a crime against humanity, like anti-Semitism and fascism,' while arguing to U.N. body Europeans not doing enough to combat hatred of Muslims. (Haaretz)
- Military Intelligence and Mossad traded blame over Sabra and Chatila massacre, archives reveal - Newly released portions of 1983 government meeting show that Military Intelligence bore the brunt of the blame for the massacre of Palestinians. (Haaretz+ and Ynet)
- Harlem Shake in Tunis: 'You're dancing while Israelis kill?' - Salafis try to prevent university students from filming themselves doing popular dance. In Egypt, some 400 youngsters dance outside Muslim Brotherhood's main office, chant 'Leave! Leave!' (Agencies, Ynet)
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