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Media Summary

22/09/2015

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The Guardian, Telegraph and Financial Times all report that Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu travelled to Moscow yesterday to meet with President Vladimir Putin to discuss Russia’s deployment in Syria. All reports say that Netanyahu expressed concerns over the possibility that advanced weapons could find their way into the hands of Hezbollah, which he noted is seeking to open a front against Israel on the Golan Heights in conjunction with Iran. The Telegraph says that the two sides agreed that their respective military leaders, who were in attendance yesterday, would establish a mechanism to avoid any “misunderstandings” in future military operations related to Syria.

Meanwhile, the Telegraph says that Russia has already sent 28 planes, including 12 fighter jets plus drones to Syria. The Financial Times suggests that 2,000 Russian troops could staff an air base at Latakia. The Times online says that the rebel Free Syrian Army has warned Putin that Syria will become his Afghanistan. The report also notes that rebels yesterday shelled the Russian Embassy in Damascus. The Guardian online includes an analysis of Iran’s significant influence in Syria.

The Independent i reports that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has said that it has begun to take samples from a military site in Iran. The IAEA’s inspection team is tasked with verifying whether Iran is complying with the nuclear deal agreed in July.

The Daily Star reports that Israel’s Transport Minister Israel Katz confirmed there will not be a no-fly zone for several hours over the venue for the upcoming wedding of supermodel Bar Refaeli. Israeli media reports had suggested that Refaeli arranged such restrictions to accommodate drones for photography, a hot air balloon and a helicopter in which she would arrive at the venue.

The Guardian, Independent and Independent i all report that a mural by the famed street artist Banksy, which originally appeared on the West Bank security barrier has gone on display in London, prior to being auctioned off in the United States.

In the Israeli media, the top stories in Maariv, Haaretz and Israel Hayom focus on Prime Minister Netanyahu’s meeting yesterday with Russia’s President Putin. Maariv says that the IDF is concerned Russian involvement in Syria will strengthen Iran. Commentator Ben Caspit says, “The convergence of Iran, Syria, Hezbollah and Russia creates many risks … With all due respect to the threat posed by ISIS and al-Qaida, Iran poses a much greater threat.” Meanwhile, Haaretz and Israel Hayom focus on the coordination mechanism agreed between the two leaders yesterday, which it is hoped will help avoid any unintended clashes between the two sides in the Syrian arena.

Meanwhile, Israel Hayom and Israel Radio news both emphasize preparations for the Yom Kippur holiday, which begins this evening and coincides this year with the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha. A general closure will be placed on the West Bank and there will be restrictions on those entering the Temple Mount in Jerusalem for fear of disturbances. The police presence will also be increased in areas considered susceptible to violence. Similar preparations are usually made prior to Yom Kippur, but this year come following a week of clashes and low-level violence in Jerusalem and the West Bank.

Israel Radio news says that a Palestinian was found dead yesterday in the southern Hebron Hills, after a grenade he was apparently planning to hurl at a military jeep exploded. It is also reported that an Israeli was lightly wounded after his car was pelted with rocks near the West Bank settlement of Beit El.