The Times includes an article outlining the potential make-up of the new Israeli government, which is expected to be announced within the next two days. The article notes that for the first time in several years, the coalition is set to exclude ultra-Orthodox parties, opening the door to the introduction of an extensive military draft of ultra-Orthodox religious seminary students. The piece also highlights the expected appointment of senior Likud figure and former IDF Chief of Staff, Moshe Ya’alon, as the new Defence Minister, who it is thought is closely aligned with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s policy on Iran. The Financial Times also includes a similar preview of the new Israeli government in the making, emphasising that Yesh Atid leader Yair Lapid is likely to become the new finance minister.

The online edition of the Financial Times also includes a piece outlining the difficult decision facing the incoming Israeli government over what percentage of its recent find of natural gas should be exported and how should be kept for domestic use. The Independent i this morning includes a small item on a main road being constructed in Jerusalem, which will cut through an Arab neighbourhood. Critics claim it is intended to solidify Israeli control of the area, while Jerusalem city officials say it is meant for everyone’s use. The Guardian online publishes a feature on the fears and emotions involved in serving in the IDF from the perspective of an 18-year-old Israeli female. Meanwhile, the Telegraph includes a piece on the restrictive diet US President Barack Obama will face next week when he visits Israel, due to the trips proximity to the Jewish festival of Passover.

The Telegraph online covers comments made by Foreign Secretary William Hague and European Union (EU) foreign affairs chief Catherine Ashton at a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels yesterday, who discussed the ongoing violent conflict in Syria. Hague described the situation as a “human catastrophe” while Ashton commented, “we need to stop the killing.” However, the meeting ended with an apparent lack of agreement over the current EU arms embargo on Syria. Meanwhile, the online editions of the Guardian and Telegraph report that the Iraqi branch of al-Qaeda has claimed responsibility for an ambush which killed almost fifty Syrian army troops who had crossed into Iraq last week, raising fears that the conflict could move beyond Syria’s borders.

The front pages in Israel are dominated by ongoing coalition negotiations between Likud-Beitenu, Yesh Atid and Jewish Home which are yet to reach a conclusion. Yediot Ahronot, Maariv, Haaretz, Israel Hayom and Makor Rishon all report that Netanyahu has agreed to a government of just twenty ministers. Maariv, Haaretz and Makor Rishon all call it an “achievement for [Yesh Atid leader] Lapid,” who had made the demand for a smaller sized government a major issue during coalition talks. Israel Radio News reports that Netanyahu, Yair Lapid, Naftali Bennett and Avigdor Lieberman met last night at the Prime Minister’s residence. According to several publications, the battle over the education ministry between Likud-Beitenu and Yesh Atid remains unresolved, with Netanyahu keen for Likud MK Gideon Sa’ar to continue as education minister while Lapid wants his number two, Shai Peron, to assume the role.

In other news, Makor Rishon and Israel Radio News report that the IDF’s Chief of Staff Benny Gantz warned in a speech yesterday that there is a very high chance of security deterioration in the region. Meanwhile, Israel Radio News speculates that US Secretary of State John Kerry may visit Israel and the region again after accompanying President Obama later this month, in order to give some practical momentum to re-starting peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians.