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Media Summary

30/10/2015

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The Independent reports yesterday’s latest attacks targeting Israelis. 12 Israelis have been killed in the current month-long wave of violence. Two stabbings took place in the West Bank city of Hebron yesterday, which has become an epicentre for attacks during the last week. One Israeli soldier was injured in a knife attack, while two Palestinian attackers were shot dead by Israeli forces.

An editorial in the Guardian posits that an agreement between Israel and the Palestinians is needed to avoid a third intifada, saying that “without a settlement there cannot be true peace.”

The Times reports that the Knesset has passed the first reading of a bill which would mandate the teaching of Arabic in all Israeli primary schools. Jewish schools in Israel are currently required to teach Arabic between ages 12 and 15. The bill has received cross-party support in the Knesset and is regarded by many as a tangible attempt to build a better understanding between Jewish and Arab Israelis.

The Guardian online reports that prominent Israeli author Etgar Keret has translated his work “The Seven Good Years” into Farsi. He said that he hopes making the book accessible to Iranians will “help some of its Iranian readers to see the Israeli people as flawed human beings and not just mortal enemies.”

The Financial Times and Guardian both preview the multilateral talks on Syria’s future, which begin in Vienna today. In addition to the United States and Russia, who have opposing views over the future of Syria’s President Assad, Iran and Saudi Arabia will attend the talks. The two are bitter regional rivals who have materially backed opposing sides in the Syrian conflict. The Guardian says that the talks stand little chance of progress, while the Financial Times says that at best there is hope that the negotiations will build momentum towards a common position.

The Independent covers comments made by former-US Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice, who addressed Chatham House in London and sharply criticised July’s nuclear deal between Iran and the P5+1 powers (US, UK, France, Russia, China and Germany). She described the agreement as a “$100 billion pact to destabilize the Middle East.”

In the Israeli media, Israel Hayom leads with a hearing at the High Court yesterday on the demolition of terrorists’ homes, which is used as a measure to deter future would-be attackers. The government has asked the court to speed up its rulings on individual cases, but yesterday the High Court complained that the state fails to swiftly implement demolitions when they have received judicial approval.

Maariv’s top story is a reported series of restrictions which the IDF is set to introduce in Hebron to better prevent knife attacks, which have been carried out in the city on an almost daily basis during the past week. Apparently, further checkpoints will be erected to prevent most local Palestinians from entering Jewish neighbourhoods. Another two stabbings were carried out yesterday in Hebron, wounding one soldier. Meanwhile, Israel Radio news says that two Israeli women drivers were lightly wounded yesterday when their cars were pelted with rocks. One of the incidents took place in the Gush Etzion region of the West Bank, the other near the central city of Ramle.

Yediot Ahronot, Maariv and Israel Hayom all look forward to tomorrow evening’s rally in Tel Aviv to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the assassination of former-Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin. Those scheduled to speak include President Reuven Rivlin and former-US President Bill Clinton. Writing in Yediot Ahronot, former-Rabin aide Eitan Haber says that “the people on the margins of the State of Israel … should know that words kill. It’s important for them to remember that.”