The Telegraph, Independent, Metro, Independent i, Daily Mail and the online edition of the Guardian all report that former-Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert was yesterday sentenced to an eight month prison sentence for receiving illegal payments from a businessman in what is known as the Talansky Affair. Most of the reports mention that a letter from former Prime Minister Tony Blair was used to vouch for Olmert’s character during the sentencing hearing. Olmert has already been sentenced to a six year prison sentence in a separate bribery scandal over a Jerusalem real estate development during his time as Mayor of Jerusalem. Subject to appeal, Olmert will become the first Israeli head of government to be imprisoned.

The Guardian online also includes a picture collection of the Midburn Festival, which took place over the weekend in Israel’s southern Negev Desert. The festival, an art, dance and music gathering in a communal atmosphere of self-expression is modelled on Nevada’s Burning Man Festival.

The online editions of the Times, Telegraph and Independent all report that Syrian government forces have begun a fightback against ISIS in the historic city of Palmyra, which houses irreplaceable artefacts. ISIS captured the city last week in a major advance.

Meanwhile, the online editions of the Times, Telegraph, Independent and Financial Times all cover comments made by a senior Iranian commander, General Suleimani, who yesterday accused the United States of having no real will to confront ISIS in Iraq. His comments came shortly after US Secretary of Defence Ash Carter similarly questioned the determination of Iraqi forces to defeat ISIS.

In Iran itself, the Financial Times reports that two moderate reformist parties have been permitted to operate by the Tehran regime, although supporters are unsure whether the decision signifies a genuine change in attitude in the Iranian leadership or whether it constitutes a “prelude to another crackdown” on opponents. The Guardian online says that the trial of Washington Post correspondent Jason Rezaian is due to begin in Tehran today and is likely to be closed to the public, press and his family. United States leaders and international figures have spoken out against Rezaian’s arrest and the subsequent lack of judicial process.

In the Israeli media, yesterday’s appointment of Gilad Erdan as Public Security Minister and Strategic Affairs Minister is the top story in Yediot Ahronot, Israel Hayom and Maariv, which calls it part of the “Ministerial merry-go-round.” Erdan earlier this month vowed to sit on the Knesset backbenches having refused a ministerial offer made by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. However, as Israel Hayom emphasises, Erdan has been offered greater resources as Public Security Minister, paving the way to joining the cabinet. The result is that Ze’ev Elkin and Yariv Levin will have their powers curtailed while Benny Begin is expected to resign from the cabinet to make way for Erdan. Meanwhile, Israel Radio news says that there is consternation in the foreign ministry over the apparent division of its powers between ministers. Yediot Ahronot summarises “One country, six foreign ministers.”

The top story in Haaretz is a report quoting anonymous sources that Prime Minister Netanyahu told European Union Foreign Affairs chief Federica Mogherini last week, that he is prepared to begin negotiations over the borders of Israeli settlement blocs in the West Bank, which would remain under Israeli sovereignty in the event of a peace agreement with the Palestinians.

Another prominent story in Yediot Ahronot, Maariv, Haaretz and Israel Hayom is the sentencing of former-Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to an eight month prison sentence for fraud. He has already been handed a six year sentence in a separate bribery case.