Several dailies preview tomorrow’s election in Israel and the subsequent coalition negotiations which are set to take place. The Independent and its sister publication Independent i both predict that the joint Likud-Beitenu list headed by current Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will be joined in government by Naftali Bennett’s Jewish Home party, which has campaigned on its opposition to a Palestinian state. The Telegraph heavily quotes from an interview with Likud member of parliament Danny Danon, viewed as a prominent right-winger in the party, who says that he would welcome Jewish Home into a coalition government. The Financial Times online reports on controversial comments uncovered over the weekend, made by a Jewish Home candidate about the Dome of the Rock, a prominent Muslim shrine in Jerusalem, which have been highlighted by political rivals as evidence of extremism within the party.

The Times also reports that Netanyahu’s Likud-Beitenu list is likely to be the largest faction following tomorrow’s election, despite the backdrop of reportedly strained tensions between Netanyahu and US President Obama. Chris McGreal opines in the Guardian that tensions between Netanyahu and President Obama, who is being inaugurated today for his second term in office, will likely become further strained with little progress likely in furthering Israel-Palestinian peace talks. However, Geoff Dyer offers a differing analysis, writing in the Financial Times that the peace process will remain high on Obama’s agenda. The Guardian covers comments made by Netanyahu on Israeli television over the weekend, opposing a withdrawal to 1967 borders in the context of future negotiations with the Palestinians. An editorial in the Times concludes that both moral obligation and strategic interest dictate that Western democracies must continue to show solidarity with Israel, whatever the outcome of tomorrow’s election.

Meanwhile, the Telegraph reports on an encampment set up by Palestinian activists in the West Bank over the weekend to protest the proposed route of Israel’s security fence near Beit Iksa. This second Palestinian protest camp in as many weeks, echoes attempts by Israeli settlers to establish rudimentary outposts in the West Bank, which they hope will be recognised as de facto future settlements.

In Israel, the headlines are dominated by Prime Minister Netanyahu’s appointment yesterday of Likud’s popular outgoing communications minister Moshe Kahlon as the new chairman of the Israel Lands Authority, which oversees public land and housing projects. With cheaper housing having been a significant issue in Israel’s social protest movement and during the election campaign, Netanyahu’s rivals have condemned the appointment of the popular Kahlon as electioneering just two days ahead of the election. Kahlon’s selection is the headline in Israel Hayom, Makor Rishon and Maariv, which all focus on Netanyahu’s pledge that Kahlon will reduce housing costs, just as he reduced mobile phone costs as communications minister. Yediot Ahronot leads with condemnation of Kahlon’s appointment by Labour Party leader Shelly Yachimovich, who described it as a “last minute manoeuvre” by Netanyahu, while Sima Kadmon comments that the announcement was the result of “panic and pressure” on Netanyahu’s behalf. Meanwhile, Haaretz focuses on the ban issued by the Central Elections Committee chairman on live broadcasting of Netanyahu’s press conference to announce Kahlon’s appointment, after ruling that it was considered electioneering, which is restricted in the days prior to Tuesday’s poll.

In other news, Israel Radio News reports that eviction orders have been issued against the encampment erected over the weekend by Palestinian activists in the West Bank near Beit Iksa. Meanwhile, Maariv covers the retirement of senior IDF officer Maj. Gen. Tal Russo, following 35 years of military service. The Jerusalem Post reports that international watchdog Freedom House has reported that Israel is the only ‘free’ state in the Middle East. Israeli media also reported on the passing of the founding major of Ariel and former Knesset Member Ron Nachman over the weekend.