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Media Summary

06/01/2016

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There is ongoing coverage of the continued dispute between Iran and Saudi Arabia, after a Shia cleric was executed by the Saudi authorities. The Saudi embassy and other missions in Iran were subsequently set on fire. Commenting on the situation in the Times, Roger Boyes says that Saudi Arabia “deserves praise not punishment” and that although it is an “imperfect ally,” Riyadh is “a fundamental anchor of stability in the Middle East.” Writing in the Telegraph, Con Coughlin says that Britain must choose sides and that “when it comes to defending Britain’s national interests … the Saudis, unlike Tehran, have time and again proved themselves to be reliable and effective allies.”

The Guardian online reports that two Israeli Arab passengers on an Aegean Airlines flight from Athens to Tel Aviv eventually were persuaded to leave the plane and receive compensation, after a group of Jewish Israeli passengers questioned their security credentials and requested that they be removed from the aircraft.

Meanwhile, the Metro previews the names to watch out for in 2016 in the entertainment world. They include Israeli actress Gal Gadot, who will star as Wonder Woman in Batman vs Superman, which releases in March.

In the Israeli media all outlets continue to report on the aftermath of the Dizengoff terror attack.  Haaretz notes Mohammad Milhem, the suspect’s father, spoke on the phone with his son Nashat and is suspected of assisting him.  Yedioth Ahronoth covers the condolence visit of Police Commissioner Insp. Gen. Roni Alsheich to the home of the mother of the late Alon Bakal who was killed in the attack.  Alsheich reaffirmed the police efforts to catch the murderer.  He also sought to reassure Tel Aviv residents that the danger has now passed.  According to a report on Channel 10 News Milhem may now be hiding in the Palestinian Authority.

All the papers also cover the death of an Israeli officer, killed by accidental mortar shrapnel in a training exercise yesterday.   Israel Radio led on North Korea’s successful test firing of a nuclear missile.

Ma’ariv and Israel Hayom both cover new neck protectors that will be distributed to IDF soldiers.  Material appearing on Palestinian social media networks has been encouraging stabbings on the left of the neck where the carotid artery passes.

Ma’ariv notes the IDF has now stopped numbering the ID cards of Hebron residents.  The measure was introduced in an attempt to minimise disruption of the population’s normal routine amid the increased number of attacks in the city.

Israel Hayom covers the visit of Defence Minister Moshe Yaalon to the Golan Heights yesterday where he declared, the IDF is ready and prepared for any development.