The Financial Times includes an interview with Mohammed Shtaayeh, Palestinian negotiator in current peace talks with Israel, saying the Palestinian Authority (PA) contacted 50 governments requesting they pressure companies in their countries to withdraw investment and activities in the West Bank. The article specifies UK security company G4S as one of those targeted by the campaign. Shtaayeh also suggested that countries should apply pressure on dual Israeli citizens who reside in the West Bank.

The Telegraph reports that an Iranian MP serving on the country’s foreign affairs committee, has claimed Iran has put a temporary halt to producing 20 per cent enriched uranium, considered to be just a small step from weapons grade material. However neither the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) nor the Foreign Office would comment on the claims.

The Guardian online covers a UN report condemning widespread human rights abuses in Iran. The report criticises a rise in the number of journalists imprisoned, aspects of the Iranian penal code, the arbitrary arrest and torture of minority group members and discrimination against them.

In the Israeli media, the top headline in Yediot Ahronot focuses on plans for Israel to release a second group of Palestinian prisoners in line with a commitment to pave the way for the renewal of peace talks in July. At the same time though, Israel’s government is reportedly set to announce new housing tenders in East Jerusalem and major West Bank settlement blocs in an apparent attempt to fend off right-wing criticism of the prisoner release. Yediot Ahronot speculates that “heavyweight” prisoners will be released and that plans for 1,500 housing units will be announced in the Ramat Shlomo area of Jerusalem. The same story is covered prominently in Israel Hayom. Israel Radio news reports the Jewish Home party will submit a bill to prevent the prisoner releases.

Maariv says Israel and Saudi Arabia are forming a common front against the United States’ handling of talks on Iran’s nuclear development. The report quotes unnamed Israeli officials who say that Israel and some Gulf states share the same concerns on the issue.

Israel Hayom reports that a Druze officer has been selected for the first time to command the Golani infantry brigade. Col. Ghassan Alian will command the prestigious unit and becomes just the second Druze officer in IDF history to command an infantry brigade.

Meanwhile, Yediot Ahronot and Sof Hashavua say that there are fears of a wave of organised crime hits after a car bomb exploded yesterday afternoon in Ashkelon killing a known criminal figure.