The Daily Mail covers the leaked intelligence agency cables published by Al-Jazeera, which includes indications that in September 2002, the Mossad’s assessment over the pace of Iran’s nuclear development was not identical to that of Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The Times says that an Iranian opposition group claims that uranium is being enriched at a hidden facility in Iran, previously unknown to the international community.

Meanwhile, with Netanyahu set to address the United States Congress on Iran’s nuclear development next week, Chris McGreal in the Guardian online says that Netanyahu’s decision to deliver the speech is jeopardising US-Israel relations, as the Obama Administration perceives the speech as collusion with President Obama’s political opponents. Also in the Guardian online, an opinion piece by Richard Dalton says that Netanyahu is offering “no better alternative” to the nuclear deal being negotiated between the US and Iran.

The Financial Times online says that Palestinian officials will appeal a US court decision earlier this week which ruled that the Palestinian Authority (PA) and the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO), both headed by PA President Mahmoud Abbas, must pay in excess of £141 million in damages for having provided material support to terrorists.

The Telegraph features Zionist Union leader and prime ministerial candidate Isaac Herzog, who told the foreign media yesterday that if elected, he will “try to reignite” peace talks with the Palestinians and will involve Egypt and Jordan in the process. The Financial Times online also covers Herzog’s comments yesterday, in particular his criticism of Netanyahu’s address to US Congress, although Herzog emphasised his own resolute opposition to Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

In additional election coverage, the Evening Standard includes a brief profile of UK-born Knesset candidate Ashley Perry, who is standing for election on the Yisrael Beitenu list of parliamentary candidates.

The Times online covers a new report by anti-settlement group Peace Now, which says that settlement construction in the West Bank during 2014 was at its highest level for ten years.

City AM reports that UK defence firm Lockheed Martin has agreed to sell 14 F-35 stealth fighters to Israel at a cost of £71 million each.

The Times online says that there are fresh reports from Syria that President Assad’s forces have dropped crude chemical barrel bombs over civilian areas in the cities of Aleppo and Haraytan, where opposition forces retain a stronghold.

In the Israeli media, Yediot Ahronot and Maariv both lead their coverage by previewing the publication this evening of the State Comptroller’s report on the country’s housing crisis. With housing considered overpriced and unaffordable by many, it is a major election issue. The report is expected to cover the period of Prime Minister Netanyahu’s last two governments and Ehud Olmert’s administration which preceded it. With Netanyahu set to face criticism, Maariv says he is gearing up to sharply blame Yesh Atid leader Yair Lapid, who was Finance Minister in the last government.

Although the upcoming report is also a major item in Haaretz and Israel Hayom, both lead with the latest sparring over Netanyahu’s address to US Congress next week on Iran’s nuclear development. Haaretz highlights comments made by US Secretary of State John Kerry, who pointedly said that those criticising the nascent agreement with Iran do not know what it contains. Israel Hayom focuses on Netanyahu’s latest warning against the deal, which he says will give Tehran a licence to develop an atom bomb.

Writing in Maariv, Ben Caspit sharply criticises Netanyahu’s decision to address Congress as one which places his own personal interests above those of the country, commenting, “It’s election time. Bibi needs a speech. He must have a speech. Only speeches help him in the polls. So to hell with national interests.” Meanwhile, Israel Radio news says that Jewish Home leader Naftali Bennett will attend Netanyahu’s speech, calling the issue a matter of national importance.