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Media Summary

02/04/2015

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Widespread coverage continues this morning of the ongoing nuclear talks in Switzerland between Iran and the P5+1 powers (US, UK, France, Russia, China and Germany), which were further extended yesterday. The Telegraph and Guardian both outline the deadlock which exists, with the P5+1 apparently waiting for new ideas from Iran over outstanding issues. The Times says that the stalemate exists as “Iran refuses to give ground” on the immediacy of sanctions relief and insistence that nuclear research must continue. Meanwhile, the Independent reports that the talks are being delayed due to repeated consultation by the Iranian delegation with the country’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei.

The Independent online says that Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu repeated his warnings yesterday over the emerging deal, after an Iranian commander threatened to “wipe Israel off the map.”

The Guardian, Telegraph, Metro and the online edition of the Independent all report that ISIS has entered the Yarmouk refugee camp, a home for many Palestinians in the suburbs of Damascus, placing the group close to the heart of the Syrian regime. Meanwhile, the Telegraph online says that that the Al-Qaeda affiliated Al Nusra Front has taken control of a Syrian crossing on the border with Jordan, prompting Jordan to close the crossing for the time being.

The Guardian and Times both cover the low key ceremony yesterday which signalled the Palestinian Authority’s (PA) membership of the International Criminal Court (ICC). Both articles indicate that there is no immediate sign of the PA bringing cases against Israelis, noting that ICC membership also brings the possibility that Palestinians could be held accountable for their actions.

The online editions of the Guardian and Times both cover the story of a Gaza man, whose home was destroyed during Operation Protective Edge and who may have unwittingly missed out on a fortune by recently selling a door covered by a Banksy mural for just £118.

The Telegraph reports that Israel is applying to become a founding member of the Chinese-led Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, viewed as something of a rival to the World Bank. The article suggests that such a move could irk the United States.

In the Israeli media, the top story is once again the nuclear talks in Switzerland, with Haaretz and Israel Hayom both highlighting the latest extension to talks. Maariv says that there is “slow but significant progress” to the negotiations, while commentator Yossi Melman ponders whether a permanent agreement will ever be possible. In the meantime though, says Melman, the reality is that “The sanctions on Iran are continuing. Its nuclear program is limited.”

Yediot Ahronot leads with the suggestion by the IDF Head of Southern Command that Hamas is continuing to dig tunnels in the Gaza Strip with the intention of attacking Israel. The same article also highlights a successful fourth advanced test of the David’s Sling long-range anti-missile system, which is considered to be a potentially important component to Israel’s defence capability. The system could become operational later this year.

Israel Radio news says that Kulanu leader Moshe Kahlon has made additional demands in talks to join a Likud-led coalition. Kulanu is potentially the second largest party in a coalition and Kahlon has long demanded he become Finance Minister. However, Kulanu is now demanding that it also be handed control of the Housing and Construction Ministry, the Environmental Protection Ministry, the Israel Land Authority, the Planning Administration, and the chairmanship of the Knesset Finance Committee. The party said that all are necessary for it to truly impact the cost of living.