Hamas spokesperson Ismail Radwan announced today that unity talks between Hamas and Fateh would continue on April 26th in Cairo. Unity talks have not been held since breaking down in late March over issues of recognizing past peace agreements. The long talks have held back crucial reconstruction aid in Gaza and caused turmoil in the PA Governing structure. Reports in Ma'an news have said Abu Mazen may ask Salaam Fayyed to form a transitional government, though PLO officials have denied this rumor.Peace talks between the new Israeli government and the current Palestinian leadership have grounded to a halt. Ahmed Qurei, the head Palestinian negotiator, has blamed "rigid Israeli mentality" for the impasse in talks. He took a moment from questions to emphasize that "[t]he choice of resistance is still available for us with all its forms that the international laws guaranteed, because the negotiations are only a way, not a goal."
From Within Palestine
Little hope in Gaza aftermath (BBC News)
Hamas: If Abbas asks Fayyad to form new transitional government, dialogue is over (Ma'an News)
Politically impossible: Gazans seeking advanced medical treatment outside are stuck dying (Ma'an News)
Hamas confirms talks with Fatah to resume on 26 April in Cairo (Ma'an News)
Soldier shoots Palestinian who tried to snatch weapon (YNet)
Palestinians, settlers clash near Bat Ayin (JTA)
16 Palestinians hurt in West Bank clash (UPI)
Northern Ireland politician: Israel and Palestinians must talk (Jerusalem Post)
News In Israel
Israel places police on high alert for Passover festival (M&C)
Israel Says It's Ready to Intercept Iranian Nukes (DailyTech)
Shalit friends hold protest seder outside Netanyahu home (Haaretz)
'Jerusalem should be capital for the Palestinians and Israel' (Haaretz)
Israel closes Hebron’s Ibrahimi Mosque to Muslims for Passover (Ma'an News)
The Holy Land and Its Neighbors
Jordan condemns settler rioting in West Bank village (Ma'an News)
Abbas holds talks with Egypt’s Mubarak (Ma'an News)
Alleged Hizbullah cell in Egypt accused of Gaza arms smuggling (Jerusalem Post)
Egypt Accuses Hezbollah of Plotting Attacks (Voice of America)
Jordan stresses two-state solution to end Israeli-Palestinian conflict (Xinhua)
Obama shows "positive signals" in Mideast policy (Xinhua)
Miscellaneous
Activists demand U.S. attends race conference (FinalCall)
Italian, Scottish activists plan aid convoys to Gaza (Ma'an News)
Commentary
Not 'harsh realism' from Israel, but bad-faith policy (Boston Globe)
With ‘Annapolis,’ a Warning to Israel (NY Times)
New Racism and Its Antecedents (NY Times)
Jeremy Ben-Ami: Tel Aviv, Then and Now (NY Times)
Nadav Shragai: Who am I? (Haaretz)
Obama's seder (Haaretz)
Ben White: In the settlers' sights (Guardian)
Seth Freedman: Airbrushing out our women (Guardian)
IRA-PLO cooperation: A long, cozy relationship (Jerusalem Post)
Bloggingheads: Turkey, U.S. and Israel (NY Times)
Haroon Siddiqui: Obama must back words with action (TheStar)
Jack Harlow: Commenting on a crisis (The Diamondback)
Jonathan Power: Power's world: Israel's Old Testament conquests (First Drafts)
J.D. Longstreet: The Coming Battle between Barry and Bibi (Faultline USA Blogspot)
Hillel Stavis: The Road to Hell is Paved with Negotiations (Pajamas Media)
Greg Bacon: US Congressman appalled by the Israeli destruction of Gaza (Goon Squad Blogspot)
Trading violence for violins a tough task (Pastor Phil's Place Blogspot)
The Gentile Declaration of Independence (Smoking Mirrors Blogspot)
