fbpx

Media Summary

57 Muslim nations call for recognition of East Jerusalem as capital of Palestine

[ssba]

The Israeli Ambassador to the UK, Mark Regev, has written to the Guardian in response to an article published in the paper by Karma Nabulsi. Regev argues that the article promoted “a narrative that denies the very right of my country to exist within any borders”. He said: “As long as extremist narratives like the one exemplified by Nabulsi are unthinkingly accepted – namely, that the Jews have no right to a homeland – is it any wonder that Arab-Israeli peace-making has been so difficult?”

BBC News Online reports that the leaders of 57 Muslim countries have called on the world to recognise “the State of Palestine and East Jerusalem as its occupied capital” at a meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation. The Telegraph and the Independent report they also declared that Trump is now disqualified from the Israeli-Palestinian peace process in a joint declaration at the meeting yesterday.

The Guardian, Independent, Sun and Telegraph all report on footage that has emerged of plain clothes Israeli troops – known as “mustarabeen” – infiltrating a Palestinian demonstration in Ramallah before arresting stone throwers.

The Independent reports that former England footballer, Gary Lineker, has received criticism for sharing a video of Israeli soldiers arresting a Palestinian teenager.

The Guardian reports that UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has warned that Iran may be defying UN calls to refrain from supplying ballistic missiles to Yemen’s Houthi rebels, but that the nuclear deal remains the “best way” forward.

The Guardian reports that Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has officially stated that he does not back a blanket boycott of Israeli products. This clarification came after Kate Osamor, shadow Development Secretary, publicly backed the movement to boycott Israel.

BBC News Online reports that air strikes on a rebel prison in Sanaa have killed 30 people.

The Times reports that Russia is planning to enlarge its Tartus naval base in Syria to accommodate larger ships, days after Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a reduction of troops in the country.

The FT reports that the EU has intensified contentious efforts to curb migration from Libya in a deal funded by central European countries.

The Guardian features a special report on Jordanian attempts to find employment for Syrians fleeing the civil war.

The FT reports that Kemal Kilicdaroglu, the leader of Turkey’s largest opposition party, has been targeted by an investigation that could lead to his indictment by Ankara’s chief prosecutor.

The Times reports that the Egyptian singer Shyma has been jailed for an “immoral” video depicting her suggestively eating a banana and only wearing underwear.

The FT reports that Israel’s national trade union has called for a half-day strike on Sunday over reports that Teva Pharmaceutical intends to announce job losses in Israel on Thursday.

All the Israeli media leads with a domestic economic story, that pharmaceutical giant Teva is due to make thousands of employees redundant. Maariv explains that the dismissals, up to 7,000 are part of Teva’s recovery plan.  Nevertheless, the move has prompted Histadrut, Chairman Avi Nissenkorn to declare a one-day general strike on Sunday amid calls on the government to intervene. The strike would include the Israel Airports Authority, the banks, public transportation, and more.  Teva has received billions of shekels in tax breaks from the Israeli government in recent years to ensure its continued operations in Israel, a decision that figured prominently in public criticism of Teva’s anticipated decision. Zionist Union MK Itzik Shmuli is quoted in Maariv, saying: “Teva has taught us all a painful lesson in ingratitude and greed. After it received billions in tax benefits in order to encourage employment, it plans large-scale layoffs and the employees will be the ones to pay the price.”

All the Israeli papers note with concern the continued missile fire emanating from Gaza. Kan Radio News reports the IAF attacked three Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip overnight in response to missile fire. The sites that were attacked served as training installations and weapons storage facilities. The security establishment earlier decided to stop the transfer of goods at the Kerem Shalom crossing as well as entry and exit at the Erez crossing.

Yediot Ahronot begins to outline the visit of Vice President Pence, “the visit after the storm”, however this morning Haaretz online reports suggest the visit is now postponed due to the crisis in Trump’s peace initiative.

Yediot Ahronot also anticipates the Palestinians diplomatic response to Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem; they intend to appeal to the UN Security Council for full membership of the UN.

The papers all follow the emergency meeting of the Islamic world in Istanbul. According to Maariv, it was attended by relatively low-level politicians, but the rhetoric remained fierce.

Haaretz reports Intelligence Minister Yisrael Katz’s interview to a Saudi Arabian online newspaper Elaph – the same outlet that also recently ran an interview with IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot.  Katz told them that“Israel will act to prevent an Iranian military presence in Lebanon”.  He also invited Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman to visit Israel, but the newspaper chose to edit the invitation out.  Kan Radio News notes an interview Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir gave to France 24.  He said that his country was opposed to Trump’s declaration on Jerusalem and that it was waiting to learn his peace plan. He denied that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman had pressured Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas to accept the American administration’s peace plan.

Israel Hrevealseveal a disagreement between the Shin Bet security service and the police that are investigating the shooting in the Bedouin community of Umm AL- Hiran. The Shin Bet believe the incident was an accident, whilst police chief Alsheich insists it was terrorism.