Coverage of the aftermath of Tuesday’s synagogue terror attack continues. The Telegraph, Independent and Independent i report that the mayor of the coastal town of Ashkelon has suspended Israeli Arab construction workers who work inside schools and kindergartens. The decision was condemned as racist by the entire Israeli political spectrum including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The Independent notes that the suspensions are partly driven by security fears, while the Telegraph labels them “economic revenge”. The Independent and Independent i also report that many schools and kindergartens are now being guarded by either hired security guards or rotas of parents.

The Independent i reports that Israel plans to destroy the homes of the two synagogue terrorists, and quotes Human Rights Watch criticising this decision. Confusingly, ITV News reported that one of the homes has already been destroyed, though other reports suggest that this was not the case.

A letter in the Times from Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Wells, Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis and Shaykh Ibrahim Mogra of the Muslim Council of Britain condemns the synagogue attack.

A piece by Israeli journalist Anshel Pfeffer in the Guardian claims that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is not “becoming” a religious war but had always had some religious aspects to it. He criticises Israeli and Palestinian leaders for using religion in their narratives but suggests that this might also be an avenue to address some aspects of the conflict.

The Financial Times and Independent I report that Israel’s 15 billion dollar gas deal with Jordan is under threat due to public hostility to Israel in Jordan.

The arrival of Secretary of State John Kerry in Vienna means more newspapers have chosen to cover the nuclear negotiations between Iran and the P5+1. The Telegraph believes that Mr Kerry’s arrival is a positive sign for the talks. The Guardian reports that Mr Kerry is optimistic about a deal and would not discuss an extension to Monday’s deadline. The Financial Timesclaims that both Iran and the US are preparing for the talks to fail, with Iran readying to blame any failure on the US Congress as a way of getting Russia and China to lift sanctions even without a deal. The Independent i quotes a source saying that an extension of the talks to March was likely.

The Guardian and BBC reveal that the International Atomic Energy Agency criticised Iran for failing to explain evidence that it was developing explosive triggers for nuclear weapons.

The Guardian’s leading article urges Iran’s leadership to take the opportunity and agree to a deal. An Op-Ed in the Financial Times claims that a deal with Iran is vital to the West to prevent Iran from realigning with Russia.

Israeli press covers the condemnation of the mayor of Ashkelon by politicians from Right to Left for his decision to suspend some Arab construction workers in schools and kindergartens. Yediot Ahronot, Maariv and Israel Hayom all report on the reactions of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Economy Minister Naftali Bennett and other politicians universally attacking the decision. Haaretz notes that the Interior Ministry has ordered the mayor to reverse the decision.

A Hamas plot to assassinate Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman with an RPG is reported in the press after charges were laid yesterday. Yediot Ahronot reports that three Hamas members from the Bethlehem area had carried out surveillance on Mr Lieberman’s route home and were arrested in August while trying to buy the rocket launcher to carry out the attack.

Israel Hayom, Haaretz and the Jerusalem Post report that a large shipment of knives, swords, Tasers and fireworks was discovered heading to Jerusalem. The shipment was hidden in packing crates labelled “Christmas decorations” and had been sent from China. It was stopped by Israeli customs and security officials.

Maariv reports that Hamas has designated today as a “day of rage”, encouraging protests and attacks.

Haaretz discusses Sunday’s planned Cabinet vote on the Nationality Bill, and notes that the political manoeuvring continues. According to the report, Justice Minister Tzipi Livni will support Mr Netanyahu’s version of the Bill. However, some more-hardline versions of the bill might be presented to the Knesset before Mr Netanyahu’s bill is ready.

In Israel Hayom, Israel’s Strategy Minister Yuval Steinitz says that a “good deal” with Iran is not likely.

Haaretz reports that the BBC has bought the adaptation rights to “Yellow Peppers”, an Israeli TV series about a family with an autistic child. The show will be called “The ‘A’ word” and will be adapted by Peter Bowker.