BICOM

Following the announcement earlier this week that US President Barack Obama will visit Israel towards the end of March, suggestions are being made in Israel that the visit may be accompanied by fresh developments in the Israel-Palestinian diplomatic process.

A report in this morning’s Maariv claims that officials in the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have hinted that he is prepared to make compromises towards the Palestinians in order to advance the peace process with his next government. An unnamed official is quoted saying, “Netanyahu understands that it is essential to make progress, he is committed to doing so, and will be able to show progress.” The article adds that Netanyahu’s representative Yitzhak Molcho will travel to Washington early next week to discuss the possibility of renewing talks with the Palestinians.

Yesterday, Haaretz reported that National Security Advisor Yaakov Amidror, who is regarded as politically right wing, warned that continuing settlement construction in the West Bank is “causing Israel to lose support even among its friends in the West.” He reportedly added, “It’s impossible to explain the issue of settlement construction any place in the world.” Amidror is expected to travel with Molcho next week to help prepare for Obama’s visit.

The Prime Minister’s Office declined to comment on Amidror’s apparent comments but anonymous sources from within the bureau are cited in this morning’s edition of Haaretz, denying that Netanyahu is considering a settlement freeze and said that the Prime Minister’s stance on the issue remains unchanged.