The Guardian online reports that chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Martin Dempsey is visiting Israel. He met yesterday with Israel’s Defence Minister Moshe Ya’alon, who underscored the centrality of the relationship with the United States to Israel’s security. The report also covers attempts by American officials to solve an impasse between Israel and the Palestinian Authority (PA) over the release of a group of Palestinian prisoners by Israel, which is threatening to prevent the continuation of peace talks. Israel wants the PA to commit to an extension of talks prior to the release, while the PA insists it is a commitment Israel must fulfil regardless. The Telegraph online says that Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu commented yesterday that it will become clear “within days” whether the issue has been resolved. The article also focuses on Netanyahu’s criticism of a “procession of hypocrisy” at the United Nations’ Human Rights Council, which he noted last week condemned Israel in several resolutions while ignoring numerous abuses in the Middle East.

The Financial Times reports that the Dutch pension fund, PFZW has defended its January decision to drop its holdings in five Israeli banks over their activity in the West Bank. However, the fund confirmed that it continues to invest around £83million in 100 Israeli companies. Meanwhile, the Times says that Israeli clothes group Bagier is looking to raise £21million on the UK’s Alternative Investment Market.

The Guardian online reports that two potential Republican nominees for US President, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie and Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker addressed the Spring gathering of the Republican Jewish Coalition in Las Vegas, outlining their thoughts on foreign policy with a particular focus on Israel.

The online editions of the Financial Times and the Guardian both report that presidential elections in Egypt will be held during the final week of May. Last week, General al-Sisi, the country’s military ruler, who has led a crackdown on the Muslim Brotherhood, announced his candidacy and is expected to win the poll with ease.

Meanwhile, the online editions of the Guardian, Times and Telegraph all report that two Spanish journalists have been released from captivity in Syria, after having been kidnapped in September by the extremist Islamist opposition group ISIS.

In the Israeli media, there is significant coverage over attempts to extend the peace talks with the PA. Both Israel Hayom and Maariv-NRG suggest that US Secretary of State John Kerry could visit the region this week to try to resolve the impasse over the release of Palestinian prisoners. Makor Rishon highlights yesterday’s comment by Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that a deal will only be made over Palestinian prisoners if Israel receives something concrete in return. Israel Radio news says that PA leaders will convene this morning to discuss their next move. Meanwhile, Haaretz says that Jewish Home leader Naftali Bennett will oppose any further prisoner release. Writing in Yediot Ahronot, former Shin Bet chief Yuval Diskin makes the case for a freeze on West Bank construction rather than a prisoner release to make further progress with the PA.

The other major item is this morning’s ruling in a Tel Aviv court regarding the ‘Holyland’ case against former-Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, who is accused of taking bribes to smooth over a large real estate project. The judge is expected to decide whether to take into account new evidence from Olmert’s former aide Shula Zaken or whether to issue a verdict in the case. Yediot Ahronot’s front page headline calls it “Judgement Day” while the ruling is also the lead story in Israel Hayom, Makor Rishon and Haaretz.