Barak to tell Rice Israel living up to its commitments

"Israel is living up to its commitments and has demonstrated a willingness to make life easier for the Palestinian population. This in the hopes of moving ahead with the peace process begun in Annapolis, to

which we are dedicated.

"Having said this, Israel's actions depend first and foremost on the need to defend its citizens," Defense Minister Ehud Barak is expected to tell US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice upon the latter's visit to the region this weekend.

Rice will arrive ahead of schedule for a round of high-profile meetings intended to inject energy into the peace process, which the US fears is losing momentum.

On Sunday the secretary will hold a joint press conference with Foreign Affairs Minister Tzipi Livni and later join Barak and Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad for a three-way meeting.

Both Israel and the Palestinians see Rice's upcoming visit – a mere three weeks after her last trip to the region – as a reprimand of sorts. Jerusalem and Ramallah understand that America is desperate to revitalize the process.

While Livni and chief Palestinian negotiator Ahmed Qureia report progress has been made in their ongoing talks – the impression on the ground is of stagnation.

Furthermore, all sides are concerned with – and are closely monitoring - Hamas' growing strength in the West Bank.

Rice's baggage is likely to include harsh criticism for both Israel and the PA. Rice stands to rebuke Israel for what the US sees as a failure to evacuate illegal outposts, continued construction in settlements and insufficient goodwill gestures towards the Palestinians in an effort to boost Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' standing.

The majority of the secretary's claims against the Palestinians will likely surround their inability to combat terrorism.