BICOM

The US State Department confirmed yesterday that Secretary of State John Kerry will visit Israel and the Palestinian Authority on Monday and Tuesday next week as part of an effort to kick-start the diplomatic process between Israel and the Palestinians.

Kerry is believed to be keen to establish confidence-building measures on both sides which would pave the way for direct talks to resume between Israeli and Palestinian leaders. Haaretz reports this morning that Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has agreed to suspend all unilateral initiatives at the United Nations and other international forums for a period of eight to twelve weeks, in order to give Kerry’s efforts a chance to make an impact. It has been suggested that Kerry will encourage Israel to release Palestinian prisoners and restrict settlement construction.

Kerry accompanied US President Obama on his recent visit to the region and returned to Jerusalem for talks with Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu while Obama remained in neighbouring Jordan. Kerry will meet again with Netanyahu on Monday, alongside Israel’s Justice Minister Tzipi Livni, who will head any future Israeli talks with the Palestinians. Kerry will meet with Palestinian leaders in Ramallah.

Confirming the visit yesterday, State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland continued to lower expectations of a major initiative or breakthrough. She stressed that Kerry would not be suggesting any specific proposal, but would be, “sitting with leaders and listening to them” as “we’re still at this ‘let’s see what’s possible’ stage.” Nuland explained that Kerry will “encourage them to be open, creative … to increase confidence and create that environment so we can continue to help them.”