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Media Summary

Gaza cement imports suspended after Hamas theft discovered

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The Times and the online edition of the Daily Mail both report that Israel has suspended the import of cement into the Gaza Strip for private projects, after discovering that Hamas is diverting the materials for its own use. Cement imports will continue to be permitted for large, international projects. The United Nations (UN), which oversees the import of goods into Gaza, via a joint Israel-PA mechanism to ensure that materials which could be used for military purposes do not reach Hamas, issued a statement saying, “Those who seek to gain through the deviation of materials are stealing from their own people.”

The Telegraph online reports from the military court proceedings against an Israeli soldier, who controversially shot dead a Palestinian terrorist, who had already been wounded and incapacitated, after having stabbed two soldiers in Hebron. The case has sparked sharp public debate in Israel. During yesterday’s court session, the prosecution challenged the soldier’s claim that he was concerned that the terrorist may have been wearing an explosive belt.

The Guardian online includes a feature on the recent Palestinian Marathon and the participation of a group called “Right to Movement,” which uses the race to highlight Israeli restrictions in the West Bank. The course is a circuit around Bethlehem, as Israeli roadblocks make it difficult to venture much further without security checks.

The Times highlights that Israeli billionaire Teddy Sagi, who owns the online gaming giant Playtech and recently purchased Camden Market, has been named in the “Panama Papers,” a huge repository of information regarding account holders in tax havens.

In Syria, the Guardian online reports that opposition forces have shot down a Syrian government jet using a surface-to-air missile, threatening the fragile truce of the past few weeks. Meanwhile, the Independent online says that ISIS is thought to have used mustard gas against President Assad’s troops in eastern Syria.

In the Israeli media, the top story in Yediot Ahronot and Israel Hayom is the widespread outrage at comments made yesterday by Jewish Home MK Betzalel Smotrich. Responding to an investigative report on Israel Radio, which suggested that de facto segregation exists between Jewish and Arab patients on maternity wards, Smotrich lauded the suggestion, describing Arabs as “enemies.” His wife told Channel Ten that she did not want Arab doctors tending to her while giving birth. Politicians from across the political spectrum condemned Smotrich and his party leader Naftali Bennett said “Jews and Arabs are all human beings. We were all created in the image [of God],” adding “the national camp is not hatred of Arabs.” Writing in Maariv, Ben Caspit says that “Herzl, Ben-Gurion, Begin, Jabotinsky and the other Zionist founding fathers are turning over in their graves” at Smotrich’s comments.

The top story in Maariv, also covered prominently in Israel Hayom, is a parole board hearing today which will decide whether or not to reduce the prison sentence of former-President Moshe Katzav, who is serving a seven-year term for rape during his time as a public official.

Meanwhile, Israel Hayom reports from the military trial of the soldier who shot dead a wounded Palestinian terrorist in Hebron, saying that the judge believes the fear of an explosive belt is a possible explanation for the soldier’s actions. Yediot Ahronot and Israel Radio news highlight comments made by Defence Minister Moshe Ya’alon, who condemned those who have attacked the army for taking action against the soldier. Ya’alon said that the rules of engagement will be determined by the IDF Chief of Staff and not a “gang.”