The FT reports that Israel’s economy has expanded much faster than expected in the third quarter of this year. Gross Domestic Product (GDP) increased at an annulised rate of 4.1%, well above the forecast rate of 2.5%.

The Guardian, Telegraph, Times and the Mail Online  all report statements by the IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Gadi Eisenkot’s in an “unprecedented” interview with a Saudi newspaper that he desires closer ties between Israel and Saudi Arabia. Eisenkot emphasised the shared threat that Iran posed to both nations.

BBC News Online reports that Russia has blocked an extensions of the UNs investigation into chemical weapons attacks in Syria. The US ambassador Nikki Haley accused Russia of undermining the organisation’s ability to deter future chemical attacks.

BBC News Online also reports the story of a German court ruling that a Kuwaiti airline was within its rights to refuse to carry an Israeli citizen.

The Telegraph reports that Lebanon’s Prime Minister Saad Hariri has accepted an invitation from French President Emmanuel Macron to visit France “deepening the mystery of his future after his surprise resignation”. Hariri is scheduled to travel to Paris in the next two days before returning to Beirut.

Richard Makepeace reflects in the Telegraph on how useful his name has been to him during his career as a diplomat. He notes that it was particularly useful during postings in the Middle East where it acted as a useful ice-breaker with border guards.

The FT reports that despite Saudi Arabia’s efforts to stymie Hezbollah, the Kingdom has “little leverage” to deal with the organisation.

The FT also reports the ongoing anti-corruption purge in Saudi Arabia where it reports that the Saudi government are negotiating settlements with princes and businessmen held on allegations of corruption, offering deals for the detainees to pay for their freedom.

Kan Radio News reports that earlier this morning a 70-year-old man was lightly wounded while a 35-year-old man is in serious condition in hospital after a Palestinian man drove his car into them while they were waiting at a bus stop at the Gush Etzion Junction.  The attacker then charged at IDF soldiers carrying a knife before being shot and wounded by IDF soldiers.

All the papers report the interview published yesterday by a Saudi Arabian website with IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot.  Yediot Ahronot considers it “part of an ongoing process of priming public opinion in Saudi Arabia ahead of turning the secret relationship between the two countries into a public relationship.” Maariv emphasises the Chief of Staff’s message that the IDF is prepared to cooperate with Saudi Arabia and even share intelligence material. Kan Radio News clarifies, that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was fully aware of the interview.  The paper had requested the interview some time ago but they now felt this was the appropriate time.

Yediot Ahronot reports on the case of a spokesman for “‘Breaking the Silence” who lied about attacking a Palestinian man. The “victim” testified that he was not attacked and the arrest went according to procedures.  After an investigation the State Attorney’s Office concluded the incident “did not occur at all.”  “There was no indication of the use of force, and the Palestinian claimed he was not beaten, not bruised, did not bleed, did not feel dizzy and did not pass out.”  In a related story Israel Hayom reports that Education Minister Naftali Bennett has prohibited Breaking the Silence from visiting schools.

Haaretz and Israel Hayom report the announcement by Interior Minister Aryeh Deri and Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan to close the Holot detention facility within months. The proposal will be presented to the Cabinet for discussion on Sunday.  The facility holds African migrants who have entered Israel illegally.   The Supreme Court had ruled against holding people for more than a year.  The detainees will be given a choice to leave Israel or go to prison.

Maariv and Yediot Ahronot report the investigations into Netanyahu in the gifts affair – Case 1000.  In his defence, the Prime Minister gave detectives photos from the family album showing a long term personal friendship with Arnon Milchan.