Kerry to visit Israel in hopes of restarting talks

US secretary of state to visit region in hopes of finding formula to restart negotiations; Canadian FM Baird also set to visit.

By HERB KEINON
John Kerry in Israel 370 (photo credit: REUTERS/Larry Downing)
John Kerry in Israel 370
(photo credit: REUTERS/Larry Downing)
US Secretary of State John Kerry will return to Israel on Monday as part of his efforts to restart negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians.
Kerry, who held four hours of talks with Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu on March 23, following the visit of US President Barack Obama to Israel, will also be meeting with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas in Jordan during his visit.
Prior to coming to Israel, Kerry is expected to visit Turkey, where he will discuss issues including Syria's civil war, according to Turkish media reports.
Kerry is believed to be trying to find a formula that will bring the Israelis and Palestinians back to peace talks. The formula is based on gestures that will build trust between the sides. Among the ideas being floated are Israel releasing Palestinian prisoners and a commitment from the Palestinians to refrain from making further unilateral moves in international forums.
Canadian Foreign Minister John Baird is also scheduled to arrive on Saturday for a three-day visit. Baird's visit is part of a tour of the region, which includes stops in Qatar and Jordan.
While in Israel, Baird will be meeting with a host of Israeli politicians, including Netanyahu, President Shimon Peres, International Affairs Minister Yuval Steinitz, Justice Minister Tzipi Livni, former foreign minister Avigdor Liberman and Finance Minister Yair Lapid.