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Media Summary

01/04/2015

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The passing of a midnight deadline for a decision in talks in Switzerland between Iran and the P5+1 powers (US, UK, France, Russia, China and Germany) over Tehran’s nuclear development is widely covered. The two sides have been negotiating hard during the past six days, but it remains unclear whether an outline of a comprehensive deal will be agreed with discussions set to continue today, beyond the self-imposed deadline. The online editions of the Guardian and Financial Times cover the latest developments, while the Telegraph online says that Iran’s Foreign Minister has claimed progress has been made. However, the Times online suggests that Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei has scuppered a potential agreement by insisting an immediate lifting of sanctions if a deal is reached.

The online editions of the Guardian, Telegraph and Financial Times all report that the United States has restored military aid to Egypt, after the Obama Administration suspended such support for 18 months in the wake of President al-Sisi’s seizure of power. The Guardian online describes the move as an “epitaph for Obama’s stated ambitions for the Arab Spring.”

The Independent i notes that the Palestinian Authority (PA) is today set to formally join the International Criminal Court (ICC). The Telegraph online examines its potential impact, noting that the PA’s membership opens Palestinian actions, as well as Israeli activities, to potential investigation.

The Guardian online reports that Israel’s Interior Ministry has announced that Sudanese and Eritrean migrants and asylum seekers who entered the country illegally, will be given 30 days to agree to deportation to an unnamed African country or else face indefinite imprisonment.

The Guardian says that Southampton University appears to have cancelled a controversial 3-day conference which questioned Israel’s very right to exist. The conference has attracted sharp criticism over its inherent one-sided tone. The university apparently cited health and safety concerns for its decision.

In the Israeli media, Yediot Ahronot, Haaretz and Israel Hayom all lead with the nuclear talks in Switzerland, with the outcome still unclear. Israel Radio news says that Israel’s government is closely monitoring progress in what Israel Hayom describes as a “Persian bazaar in Lausanne.” Writing in Maariv, Yossi Melman says that Iran will suffer if an agreement is not reached, arguing that “Iran is losing because the international sanctions on it are continuing and its economy continues to falter.”

The top story in Maariv is the inaugural session of the 20th Knesset yesterday. Although the occasion was largely ceremonial, several speakers including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasised the importance of healing societal rifts following a divisive election campaign. Haaretz and Israel Hayom also cover yesterday’s Knesset opening prominently, with the latter noting that Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein was overwhelmingly re-elected to his position.

Israel Radio news reports that the PA will today officially join the ICC. Maariv says that Palestinian officials have indicated that the PA is more likely to bring a case against Israelis over West Bank settlements, rather than last summer’s Gaza conflict, which would also leave Palestinians open to investigation over their role in the violence.

Yediot Ahronot highlights an IDF assessment which predicts that a future conflict with Hezbollah would see 1,500 rockets fall on Israel each day.