The Times reports on suggestions that Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is prepared to issue a freeze on isolated West Bank building and release a number of Palestinian prisoners in an attempt to bring Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas to the negotiating table. US Secretary of State John Kerry is expected to arrive in the region tomorrow as part of his ongoing efforts to kick start peace talks between Israeli and Palestinian leaders. Meanwhile, the Guardian reports on a petition of 24 Israeli authors, including some of the country’s leading literary figures, who are appealing against the evacuation of homes in a Palestinian village to make way for a military training area. The online edition of the Guardian provides an overview of the Archbishop of Canterbury’s visit to Israel and the Palestinian areas of the West Bank which begins today.

The Independent online covers comments made yesterday by UN special representative Lakhdar Brahimi, who said it is unlikely that an international peace conference on Syria would take place before the end of July. The United States and Russia both support the idea of a so-called Geneva II conference, but Brahimi said that there are still disagreements over the details of such talks and the situation in Syria itself remains dire. The Guardian online says that Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister has strongly criticised Iranian and Hezbollah involvement in Syria, calling it “dangerous.” He also urged the West to arm Syrian opposition groups seeking the downfall of President Assad. In the Telegraph, an opinion piece by Allie Renison argues that Prime Minister David Cameron should be commended for demonstrating leadership over Syria by looking to take action rather than finding reasons why not to act.

The major story in the Israeli media this morning focuses on a judgement by the Supreme Court yesterday which ruled that the Tel Aviv Municipality must more stringently enforce its’ own by-laws and close down businesses which open for trade on the Jewish Sabbath. This is the front page headline in Yediot Ahronot, Maariv, Haaretz, Makor Rishon and Israel Hayom. All emphasise that the complaint was brought to court not by those concerned with religious standards but by small shop-owners who want to ensure that their day of rest will not negatively impact their business in the face of supermarkets which continue to trade on the Sabbath. Israel Hayom highlights the response of Tel Aviv Mayor Ron Huldai who said that the city will seek to balance the importance of Sabbath rest with the freedom of the city.

Yediot Ahronot also prominently reports the introduction of two competing bills in the Knesset, supported by different members of the coalition, both aimed at more sharply defining Israel’s identity as a Jewish and democratic state. The passage of either bill could have an impact on how Israel’s courts rule on matters of minority rights.

Meanwhile, Maariv, Makor Rishon and Israel Hayom all report on Likud MK Danny Danon’s victory yesterday to become Likud convention chairman. Although it is a largely ceremonial title, Danon has pledged to “rehabilitate” the Likud Party, which he says has been “neglected for years.” Danon is considered to represent the right-wing of the Likud Party and his win yesterday is thought to be a symbolic challenge to the political direction of Prime Minister Netanyahu.