Foreign Secretary William Hague’s visit to Israel and the Palestinian areas of the West Bank is covered by the Telegraph, which highlights Hague’s call for urgency in implementing a two-state solution. The Guardian online also reports that Hague pledged his support for United States’ efforts to kick-start direct talks between Israeli and Palestinian leaders, saying that the peace process is an “urgent priority” for the UK. The online editions of the Guardian, Telegraph and Independent all cover US Secretary of State John Kerry’s trip to the region, which coincides with Hague’s visit. Kerry acknowledged the scepticism that exists in the region over the chances for peace, but expressed determination to bring about an agreement.

The Guardian includes a lengthy interview with the father of Mohammed al-Dura, the twelve-year-old Palestinian boy who became the icon of the Second Intifada. An Israeli government report published this week concluded that al-Dura was not killed by Israeli gunfire in an incident in the Gaza Strip in 2000 and was possibly not killed at all.

The Daily Mail reports that a demonstration of pro-Palestinian activists will take place today in London outside a UEFA Congress meeting in protest at the staging of the European Under-21 Football Championships in Israel next month. The Sun reports that football legend Eric Cantona will join the protest. Writing in the Daily Telegraph, Israel Ambassador to the UK Daniel Taub argues that boycotts of Israel do nothing to help the cause of peace or indeed the welfare of humanity.

Meanwhile, the Times reports that the fighting between Syrian government forces supported by Hezbollah and opposition groups in the strategic town of Qusair has intensified. The Telegraph includes an analysis suggesting that the Assad regime is gaining the upper hand in the Syrian civil war. The same publication also reports that the UK is increasing pressure on the European Union to drop its arms embargo on Syria in light of Assad’s recent military gains. However, an op-ed by former Liberal Democrats leader Menzies Campbell argues against the supply of further arms to Syria.

The Times online reports that former Iranian president Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, who was this week excluded from the list of presidential election candidates authorised by Tehran’s clerical authorities, has accused the country’s leaders of incompetence.

In the Israeli media, John Kerry’s visit to the region is the headline story in Maariv, which claims that the US Secretary of State yesterday asked Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu whether he would be prepared to declare an official construction freeze on West Bank settlements in return for Palestinian agreement to return to direct talks. Netanyahu’s response is not revealed. The report also claims that Netanyahu asked William Hague to request that the Palestinians refrain from making any unilateral moves at the United Nations.

Several publications also highlight the recommendations published yesterday by the ministerial committee headed by Science and Technology Minister Yaakov Peri, to create a more equitable military draft. Israel Hayom calls the plan to enlist ultra-Orthodox students en masse a “draft revolution” while Yediot Ahronot refers to it as a “historic law.” However, Sof Hashavua focuses on the disagreements that still exist within the government over the Peri Committee proposal, with both Yisrael Beitenu and Jewish Home indicating that they will oppose the recommendations when they come to a ministerial vote on Sunday.