The Independent i and the online edition of the Telegraph both cover the police investigation underway in Israel over allegations of sexual harassment against senior Likud government minister Silvan Shalom. The case centres on the claims by Shalom’s former employee regarding an incident 15 years ago. Shalom was poised to announce his candidacy to become Israel’s next president when the case was made public earlier this week.

The Guardian online covers a report in yesterday’s Haaretz which said that Israel’s Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman asked for a detailed opinion from the ministry’s legal advisors over the legality of a limited population transfer of Arab citizens of Israel to a future Palestinian state, in the event of a significant land swap as part of a peace agreement. The ministry’s legal team concluded that such a transfer would require the consent of those whose status would be altered and that the move could not leave them without citizenship.

The Independent i notes “serious concerns” registered by the White House over the refusal of Saudi Arabian authorities to grant a visa to an Israeli journalist who planned to cover US President Barack Obama’s visit to the country this week. Meanwhile, the online edition of the Telegraph reports that advocates of boycotts against Israel have criticised the Rolling Stones who this week announced a concert in Tel Aviv’s Hayarkon Park in June.

Elsewhere in the region, the Guardian says Syrian opposition groups have launched an offensive to take control of President Assad’s ancestral village and surrounding area near the northern port city of Latakia. The Financial Times notes that opposition forces have already made some gains in the coastal region, which is a strategically important supply route. The Guardian online reports that the first group of 10-20 Syrian refugees have entered the UK under the government’s vulnerable persons relocation scheme for Syrians in most dire need of refuge.

The online edition of the Guardian says the trial of 683 Muslim Brotherhood supporters began yesterday on charges including sabotage and murder during the violent protests which took place against army rule in August. The accused includes Muslim Brotherhood spiritual leader Mohamed Badie. The trial is taking place in the same court which earlier this week sentenced more than 500 protestors to death over the murder of a single policeman during the summer violence. The Financial Times online says that due to the controversial verdict, defence lawyers boycotted yesterday’s proceedings which have been adjourned until 24 April.

In the Israeli media, both Israel Hayom and Israel Radio news report that US Secretary of State John Kerry will travel to Amman today to meet with Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas, in an attempt to secure his agreement to extend peace talks with Israel beyond their end of April deadline. Israel Radio news says that the Arab League summit in Kuwait will today officially endorse Abbas’ position refusing to recognise Israel as the nation state of the Jewish people.

Haaretz and Makor Rishon report that government minister Silvan Shalom was questioned yesterday by police over the sexual harassment allegations levelled against him by a former employee. Israel Hayom and Israel Radio news say that unless any further complainants come forward, then the case against Shalom is expected to be closed.

Both Maariv-NRG and Makor Rishon cover comments made by Turkey’s Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arinc, who said that a compensation deal between Israel and Turkey is close to completion, which would pave the way for the restoration of diplomatic ties between the two countries. However, Israel Radio news says that Israeli diplomatic sources are surprised by Arinc’s remarks, as there had been little indication of progress over an agreement.