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Media Summary

Cache of Palestinian documents leaked to media, PA denies their veracity

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The main item of Israel related coverage in the UK media today is the leaking of a cache of documents from the Palestinian Authority to the Guardian and al-Jazeera. BBC Online notes that PA leaders are disputing the veracity of the documents. In other items, the Guardian, Metro-London, Daily Telegraph, Independent, Financial Times, Reuters and BBC Online note the issuing of the first part of the Turkel Report, which is investigating the events on the Mavi Marmara ship last year. The Guardian also notes that Egypt has accused a Palestinian Islamist terror group of responsibility for a recent church bombing, and has a letter criticising British author Ian McEwan for accepting a literary prize in Israel. The Daily Telegraph and Times note a speech by Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in which he calls for a new ‘unity’ government in Lebanon. Sky News Online has a piece analysing the latest developments in Lebanon. The Financial Times notes US opposition to a discussion of settlements in the UN, and the paper has an opinion piece on the state of Israeli-Turkish relations, and articles on the situation in Lebanon, the Stuxnet computer worm and Iranian hopes for renewed nuclear talks. The Daily Telegraph quotes western diplomats who want the threat of air strikes on Iran following the break down of talks. The paper also has a report on Iranian and Syrian activity in Lebanon. 

Over the weekend, the main item of Israel related news was the suspension of the Istanbul talks on Iran’s nuclear programme. BBC Online noted EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton’s disappointment at the breakdown in the talks. In other items, The Observer reviewed a new book  dealing with Operation cast Lead. The paper also had an article on a new TV drama about Mandate Palestine, and a feature mentioning Dr Izzeldin Abuelaish, a Palestinian doctor whose three daughters were killed during Operation Cast Lead. The Guardian on Saturday reviewed a new Israeli novel, and had a blog piece noting an opinion survey in Israel. The Guardian, Independent, Glasgow Herald and BBC Online note that the French Foreign Minister was met with angry protests in the Gaza Strip. The Independent ran a piece on the Jews of Algeria. The Financial Times noted opposition among US Senators to a compromise on the Iranian nuclear issue. BBC Online on Saturday noted that the findings of the Turkel Commission, which is investigated the Gaza flotilla incident, are due to be released this week. The Sunday Express noted that new Mossad Head, Tamir Pardo has delayed a visit to the UK, because of the increasing crisis in Lebanon. The Sunday Times spoke to a British officer engaged in training PA security forces, the officer admitted that detainees are subjected to torture by these forces. The paper also had a preview of a new drama on the birth of Israel. The Daily Mail, Evening Standard, Times, Guardian, Financial Times on Saturday noted Tony Blair’s description of the west’s current stance on Iran as a ‘wretched posture of apology.’ The Financial Times also had a piece on the crisis in Lebanon, noting that Druze leader Walid Jumblatt has given his support to the Hezbollah led opposition. The Daily Telegraph and the Independent noted claims that the Stuxnet computer virus was built by the Israeli secret service with the assistance of western intelligence agencies. 

In the Israeli media today, all papers focus on the PA documents leaked to the media. The Jerusalem Post and Ynetnews note a speech in Lebanon yesterday by Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. Over the weekend, all papers had pieces on the Turkel Commission and the issuing of the first part of its report. Haaretz today has a piece dealing with PM Netanyahu’s views on the question of an interim accord with the Palestinians. All papers also noted the three hour interrogation of Major-General Yoav Galant, Israel’s designated next chief of staff, over an accusation that he improperly added land to his property.