BICOM

This morning’s edition of Maariv reports that Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is mulling over a package of concessions towards the Palestinians as a goodwill gesture ahead of US President Obama’s visit to the region later this month.

Obama is scheduled to arrive in Israel on 20 March with US Secretary of State John Kerry and will also meet with Palestinian leaders in Ramallah during his trip. Maariv says that having consulted with defence officials, Netanyahu is considering a number of measures which it is hoped will help generate a positive atmosphere prior to Obama’s visit. The report says that the concessions are similar to those previously discussed by Netanyahu and Quartet envoy Tony Blair. They include the transfer of two specific portions of land in the West Bank from what is known as Area C, under full Israeli control, to Area A, under full Palestinian Authority (PA) control. The two areas in question are access roads to the new planned Palestinian city of Rawabi and the industrial area of Tulkarm.

The other reported measures include the retroactive approval of master plans for construction of ten Palestinian communities in Israeli-controlled areas of the West Bank. Currently considered illegal developments, such approval would pave the way for these communities to be connected to relevant infrastructure. In addition, Maariv says that 123 Palestinian prisoners apprehended before the Oslo Accords were signed in the 1990s, who are affiliated to the Fatah faction headed by PA President Mahmoud Abbas, would be released. Also, light ammunition would be transferred to Palestinian security forces.

Addressing the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) yesterday, Netanyahu made cautious reference to potential Israeli concessions, saying “Israel is prepared for a meaningful compromise, but … I will never compromise on our security.”