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Media Summary

27/07/2015

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The Telegraph, Times and Independent all report on clashes which took place yesterday at the al-Aqsa mosque on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem between local Palestinians armed with rocks and firecrackers and Israeli security forces. Israeli forces forcibly contained the crowd in the mosque to prevent them from attacking Jewish worshippers who gathered in large numbers to mark a major holy day which commemorates the destruction of the ancient Jewish Temple on the site.

The Telegraph reports from Tehran, where hardliners are criticising the nuclear deal agreed earlier this month and claim that Iranian negotiators gave away too much in their eagerness to conclude an agreement. Meanwhile, the Independent, Independent i and the online editions of the Guardian and Telegraph all cover comments made yesterday by Republican hopeful for the presidential nomination Mike Huckabee, who strongly condemned the deal, saying that it brings Israel “to the door of the oven.”

The Times, Guardian, Independent and the online edition of the Telegraph all cover a rare public speech delivered yesterday by Syria’s President Assad. He candidly admitted to a manpower shortage among his forces and effectively admitted that he is resigned to losing parts of the country in order to focus on maintaining other areas under his control. The Times notes that Assad is becoming increasingly reliant on the support of Iran and Hezbollah.

The Times online includes a feature on how political paralysis in Lebanon has made many aspects of governance ineffectual, including a current rubbish collection crisis in the capital Beirut, which has led to public protests.

The Times and Financial Times both report that Israeli pharmaceutical giant Teva is poised to purchase Allergan generics, another major company producing generic medication.

In the Israeli media, the main item, which leads Maariv and Israel Hayom, is the clashes yesterday on the Temple Mount compound in Jerusalem. Maariv says that locals accumulated a stash of rocks, firebombs and firecrackers. When confronted by Israeli police, they began to throw many of the items at the security forces. Israeli commentators speculate whether the clashes were influenced by the actions of a young radical right-wing woman who shouted “Mohammed is a pig” at Muslim women on the Temple Mount on Friday. Yossi Melman in Maariv says, “The problem is that there are more than enough hotheads, inciters or just plain stupid people among the extreme right wing who light a match to ignite a great blaze.”

Yediot Ahronot reports that a meeting took place last week between Interior Minister Silvan Shalom, who will head any future Israeli delegation at peace talks and senior Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat. The meeting, which has not been confirmed by either side, is said to have been a trust-building exercise.

The top story in Yediot Ahronot focuses on allegations of sexual harassment by a senior officer in the Shin Bet internal security service.

Meanwhile, Israel Radio news says that the Ministerial Committee for Legislation is today expected to approve a bill which would expand the definition of a terror organisation as one which aids and provides infrastructure to those who commit acts of terror. The legislation would also permit stiffer sentences against activists in such groups.