The Financial Times includes a feature on Israel’s new Justice Minister, Jewish Home MK Ayelet Shaked, who was appointed following coalition negotiations between Likud and Jewish Home last week. Considered a hardliner on a number of issues, including the power of the Supreme Court and opposition to a Palestinian state, the article says her appointment has prompted “liberal concerns.” However, it also notes that her power to introduce reforms may be curbed by another coalition partner, Moshe Kahlon’s Kulanu Party which was handed the right to oppose measures limiting the Supreme Court as part of its coalition agreement.

The online editions of the Guardian and Telegraph both report that a group of retired European leaders, including Javier Solana, former NATO Secretary General and Sir Jeremy Greenstock, former UK ambassador to the UN, have signed a letter urging the European Union (EU) to reassess its policy on a Palestinian state and to hold Israeli more closely to account. The European Eminent Persons Group sent the letter to EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini, saying that the recent election of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu necessitates “urgent action.”

The Independent, Times, Independent i and the online editions of the Financial Times, Guardian and Telegraph all cover the Vatican’s recognition yesterday of a Palestinian state. The Independent i quotes Israel’s Foreign Ministry, which said that the Vatican’s decision “doesn’t promote the peace process.”

The Guardian online covers comments made by the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) Chief Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda in a recent media interview. She said that if Israel does not cooperate with the ICC, then it may launch a preliminary investigation over last summer’s Gaza conflict without Israeli input. However, she emphasised that the investigative process could last up to ten years, with many factors to consider including whether Israel’s own investigation into Operation Protective Edge precludes the need for an ICC probe.

The Independent, Independent i and the online edition of the Telegraph all cover yesterday’s opening the White House summit between President Obama and Saudi and Gulf state leaders. Set to cover a range of regional issues, the summit is expected to focus on Iran’s nuclear ambitions and the nascent deal with the P5+1 powers (US, UK, France, Russia, China and Germany), over which Saudi and Gulf officials have publicly expressed their concern. Despite the disagreement, Rupert Cornwell says in the Independent that both sides “understand the risks of total rupture” and are likely to agree a greater degree of defence cooperation.

In the Israeli media, the dominant story is the distribution of ministerial portfolios to Likud MKs by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ahead of the swearing in of the new government, which is scheduled for 7pm this evening. It is the top story in Maariv, Haaretz and Israel Hayom, which calls the process the “March of the Portfolios.” A number of positions would appear to remain unresolved, most notably the future of Gilad Erdan, who has reportedly rejected Netanyahu’s offer to remain solely as Interior Minister or take on the Public Security portfolio. Yediot Ahronot headlines an opinion issued by the Attorney General yesterday, who said that it would be hard to defend the appointment of Shas leader Aryeh Deri as Economy Minister, given his previous conviction for corruption.

Both Yediot Ahronot and Israel Radio news cover Israeli reaction towards yesterday’s recognition by the Vatican of a Palestinian state. Both report that Israeli officials expressed disappointment at the news, saying that it would only serve to push the Palestinian leadership further away from direct talks with Israel.

Meanwhile, Maariv highlights growing discontent in the south of the country over the region’s economic plight. The Dimona Municipality earlier this week announced a one-day strike over potential redundancies at the nearby Israel Chemicals plant, a major local employer. The nearby city of Arad has apparently now also pledged to join action due to common concerns regarding the region’s development.