Several UK dailies continue to report on the diplomatic fallout from the Israeli government’s announcement of construction plans in the West Bank and East Jerusalem at the end of last week. The Guardian, Evening Standard and Metro focus on Foreign Secretary William Hague’s comments to parliament yesterday which indicated that there would be no further measures taken by the UK government over Israel’s decision for now. The Telegraph repeats suggestions from the Israeli media yesterday that the determined response by European governments to Israel’s decision was willingly endorsed by the United States. Meanwhile, in the same publication Mat Hill opines that Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu is unlikely to actually go ahead with building in the controversial E1 area. In the Financial Times, Tobias Buck analyses Israel’s relationship with Europe on the eve of Netanyahu’s visit to Germany.

Meanwhile, the Independent, Evening Standard and Independent i report on suggestions by senior Palestinian official Nabil Shaath, that the Palestinian Authority could use its new UN ‘non-member state’ status to haul Israel before the International Criminal Court if building in the West Bank and East Jerusalem continues.

Elsewhere in the region, there is widespread coverage of growing Western concern towards the possibility that Syria’s embattled President Assad could use chemical weapons. The Times confirms that NATO is deploying Patriot missile defence batteries on the Turkish border and claims that the United States could launch military action “within days” of Assad mobilising non-conventional weapons. The Telegraph notes British concerns over Syria’s chemical arsenal and a warning of “serious consequences” if it is utilised. Meanwhile, the Independent reports Russian claims that the West is exaggerating the chemical threat from Damascus. The Times, Financial Times, Telegraph and Guardian all publish editorials on the situation in Syria, largely warning of a looming dangerous end-game to the internal conflict. In a related story, the Independent reports that a mortar exploded in the proximity of a Damascus school, killing 29 students.

The online editions of the Times, Financial Times, Telegraph and Guardian all cover the continuing unrest in Egypt, where protests against President Mursi’s attempt to push through a new constitution have reached the Presidential Palace in Cairo.

Meanwhile in the Israeli media, the headline story in both Yediot Ahronot and Maariv focuses on Western fears that Syria’s President Assad may use chemical weapons. Haaretz claims that Assad could try to claim asylum in South America while Israel Hayom reports Prime Minister Netanyahu’s comments that Israel is closely monitoring Syria’s chemical stockpile.

Haaretz leads with speculation that German Chancellor Merkel will voice her protest over Israel’s West Bank construction plans during Netanyahu’s visit to Berlin later today. Maariv reports that Netanyahu and National Security Advisor Yaakov Amidror are seeking to reassure American concerns over planning in the controversial E1 area and have emphasised that the planning process is lengthy and could be suspended at any point.

The announcement of Yisrael Beitenu’s list of Knesset candidates also features prominently in today’s newspapers, with Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon surprisingly omitted from the list as was Tourism Minister Stas Meseznikov. Makor Rishon carries the headline “Ayalon Ousted,” Israel Hayom’s headline is “Settling Scores, Finalising Lists,” while Yediot Ahronot, Maariv and Haaretz also make it a major story. In other election news, Israel Radio News reports that Shas leaders Eli Yishai and Aryeh Deri have called on their respective supporters to cooperate with each other during the upcoming election campaign.