BICOM

This morning’s Haaretz reports that US Secretary of State John Kerry will visit Israel and the region as soon as Saturday in an attempt to pave the way for direct talks between Israel and the Palestinian Authority (PA).

Kerry accompanied US President Obama during his regional visit two weeks ago. While Obama visited neighbouring Jordan, Kerry spent additional time with Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, which many felt was an indication of Kerry’s enthusiasm for re-starting the Israeli-Palestinian diplomatic process.

Haaretz reports that Kerry spoke yesterday with Netanyahu and PA President Mahmoud Abbas, informing them of his intention to return to the region. The article cites a senior Israeli official who expects Kerry to arrive on Saturday night. Maariv includes a similar report which claims that Kerry will return to the region within the coming few days.

According to Haaretz, Kerry will embark on a three-month period of shuttle diplomacy between Jerusalem and Ramallah, in an effort to enable both sides to resume direct talks. During that period, Kerry will encourage both sides to undertake confidence-building measures to pave the way for him to present a proposal for a return to negotiations. Haaretz suggests that Kerry will ask Israel to restrict settlement construction and agree to free a number of Palestinian prisoners, while the PA will be asked to refrain from taking unilateral steps at the United Nations or other international bodies. Apparently, Kerry is also keen for Arab states to play a supporting role in the process and foreign ministers from Jordan, Qatar and Egypt will discuss United States policy towards the peace process later this month.