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Media Summary

IDF combat recruits declining relative to other units

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The Times, Telegraph, Guardian, and BBC all report the story of a Swiss hotel instructing Jewish guests to shower before using the swimming pool. The incident has led to a formal complaint by Israel’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Tzipi Hotovely to the Swiss government and a campaign on social media for the hotel to be closed down.

The Evening Standard reports that Telit Communications stocks have rallied slightly after US based hedge fund Lazarus Management raised its stake in the company to 3 per cent. Telit Communications stock prices dropped by up to 50 per cent on Tuesday after it was revealed that the CEO had lied about his identity and had been charged with fraud in the US.

Yediot Ahronoth and Israel Hayom report the ongoing decline in the relative number of new IDF recruits who volunteer to serve in combat units. IDF officers ascribe the trend to the increasing appeal of the IDF’s technological units and some other combat roles, such as Iron Dome batteries.

Maariv continues its reporting of Likud efforts to reduce the strength of the so-called “new Likudniks,” who have registered as party members in large numbers. Likud coalition chairman David Bitan said the the group were attempting  a hostile takeover and their goal was to upend the Likud’s list and insert  people who wouldn’t be acceptable to the right wing.  Speaking on Radio 103FM, former Likud minister Dan Meridor defended the group saying they were trying to return the Likud party to the values it held in the past.

Haaretz reports that Labour party Chairman Avi Gabbay met former Defence Minister Moshe Yaalonm, and that the two agreed to cooperate.

Kan Radio News reports that an Israeli satellite took pictures allegedly showing the construction site of a factory to manufacture advanced Scud missiles in Syria. Experts say the factory is very similar to those in Iran. On Tuesday night, Channel Two broadcast the pictures taken by the Israeli EROS B satellite near the coastal town of Baniyas in northern Syria.

The Times of Israel and Haaretz both criticise Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s response to the events in Charlottesville,  three days after they occurred  and light on detail.

Army Radio reports that the home of a terrorist who killed three family members in Halamish last month was destroyed.

The Jerusalem Post reports that Israel will soon reopen its embassy in Cairo.

Haaretz reports that Mahmoud Abbas sent a telegram to North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un congratulating him on “Liberation Day”.