The Independent and the online edition of the Guardian report that Jordan, on behalf of the Palestinian leadership, has tabled a draft United Nations (UN) Security Council resolution which calls for peace negotiations to be concluded between Israel and the Palestinians within 12 months and an Israeli withdrawal from the West Bank to be completed within two years. The Independent calls the draft a “watered down” proposal with the Palestinians having incorporated elements of a French counterweight proposal, in the hope of drawing wider support within the Security Council.

The Guardian also reports on a vote yesterday by the European Parliament in favour of a compromise motion which called for recognition of a Palestinian state “in principle” and only in the context of a two-state solution following peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians. The Financial Times says that Palestinian leaders were disappointed at the wording of the eventual motion. The Guardian report also covers a special meeting yesterday of the signatories to the Fourth Geneva Convention, which issued a ten-point declaration calling on Israel to “fully and effectively” respect the agreement. It was only the third time such a meeting had ever been called, each one dealing with Israel.

The Guardian, Times, Telegraph, Independent, Daily Express, Independent i, and Daily Mail all report on a ruling by the European General Court yesterday which upheld a Hamas appeal over its classification by the European Union (EU) as a terrorist organisation. Yesterday’s ruling was made on the basis that proper procedure was not followed when the classification was originally made and the Telegraph says that European officials emphasised that the ruling changes nothing in practice. The EU is expected to appeal with Hamas swiftly returned to its terror blacklist. The Times and Telegraph both emphasise sharp criticism of the court ruling by Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu who condemned “staggering hypocrisy.” The Independent quotes Labour leader Isaac Herzog, who termed the court decision a “big mistake.”

Meanwhile, the Guardian online says that a senior Iranian cleric, Ayatollah Khatami said that Iran already has the knowledge to enrich uranium to weapons-grade level. The international community continues to negotiate with Iran over its nuclear programme on the assumption that Tehran has yet to master such a process.

In Israel, the media focuses on yesterday’s diplomatic developments in Europe, with headlines reflecting Israeli frustration at the European General Court ruling on Hamas and the special meeting of the Geneva Convention signatories in particular and to a lesser extent, the European Parliament’s vote supporting recognition of a Palestinian state “in principle.” Israel Hayom’s headline reflects Prime Minister Netanyahu’s criticism of the European measures, saying “Anger in Israel: Europe has learned nothing,” while Maariv declares “Netanyahu vs Europe.” Yediot Ahronot comments “Europe says yes to Palestine,” while Haaretz highlights the submission of a draft resolution, initiated by the Palestinian leadership, to the UN Security Council.

Israel Hayom highlights a decision yesterday by an internal Likud Party court, which ruled that primaries for the party leadership and Knesset candidates list will be moved forward to 31 December, as proposed by Prime Minister Netanyahu. Israel Radio news says that hardline Likud MK Moshe Feiglin has said that he won’t challenge for the leadership, leaving another MK, Danny Danon as the likely sole challenger to Netanyahu. Haaretz reports that a poll indicates the majority of Israelis do not want Netanyahu to remain in office.

Israel Radio news reports that police last night carried out a further raid on the offices of extremist anti-Arab group Lahava. Three of the group’s members were recently charged with carrying out a recent arson attack on a Jewish-Arab bilingual school in Jerusalem, which was roundly condemned by a wide spectrum of Israeli political leaders.