Washington particularly concerned about Israeli plan to advance 'doomsday' settlement construction in E1 area, with PA threatening to downgrade ties if such steps proceed

US president will chat with athletes at opening of Maccabiah Games, visit a missile defense system, hold a virtual meeting with Bennett, MBZ and Modi, and meet Abbas in Bethlehem

'The Palestinian leadership is on the verge of making major and difficult decisions,' warns Hussein al-Sheikh, the newly appointed secretary general of the PLO Executive Committee

US officials say a Mideast tour, with a stop in Saudi Arabia, is in the works but a date has not yet been finalized

PA president warns US he's on verge of downgrading ties with Israel over actions in East Jerusalem and West Bank, reiterates demands for Biden to delist PLO, reopen consulate

Palestinian affairs correspondent Aaron Boxerman on the tragic death of activist Johara Khnifes; Tech Israel editor Ricky Ben David on the Tel Aviv opening of a Dubai trade office

French president condemns Israeli settlement policy and urges Palestinian leader to conclude investigations into death of slain Al Jazeera journalist

President says he's trying to end 'senseless wars between Israel and Arab nations,' but no 'direct plans' yet for travel and too early to discuss meeting crown prince

US president scheduled to visit as part of planned trip to the Middle East; is expected to meet with Israeli and Palestinian leaders

Call comes amid rising Palestinian frustration with Washington; US deputy secretary Sherman meets visiting Israeli NSA with both talks calling to step up efforts to restore calm