The Times reports that coalition negotiations in Israel are reaching a conclusion with a new government expected to be announced imminently. The article says that the composition of the new government, characterised by a small cabinet and the exclusion of ultra-Orthodox parties, represents a victory for political newcomer Yair Lapid, leader of Yesh Atid. The new government is set to include Prime Minister Netanyahu’s Likud-Beitenu faction, Yesh Atid, Jewish Home and Hatnuah, which already signed a coalition agreement last month. Lapid is expected to become Finance Minister, Jewish Home leader Naftali Bennett will likely be Minister of Industry and Trade and senior Likud figure and former IDF Chief of Staff, Moshe Ya’alon is set to become Defence Minister.

The Telegraph, Guardian and Independent all report that Yityish Aynaw, who was crowned as the first black Miss Israel just weeks ago, has been invited by US President Barack Obama to be among the 120 guests at a gala dinner hosted by Israel’s President Shimon Peres during Obama’s visit to the region next week. Aynaw, who has described Obama as a ‘role model’, immigrated to Israel from Ethiopia with her grandparents aged twelve. Each article also includes a background on Israel’s Ethiopian community.

The Guardian says that the Hamas authorities which control the Gaza Strip have launched a campaign promising an amnesty and even financial rewards for Gazans who have cooperated with Israel’s intelligence services to turn themselves in.

The online editions of the Guardian and Financial Times report that Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov yesterday warned that any attempts to arm Syrian opposition forces would breach international law. Lavrov spoke following talks with Foreign Secretary William Hague a day after Prime Minister David Cameron had indicated that Britain might consider bypassing the European Union (EU) to send arms to moderate groups opposing President Assad’s rule. Meanwhile, the Guardian online reports that a rocket near Damascus killed a Syrian working for the EU delegation yesterday. The online editions of the Telegraph, Times and Guardian cover a visit by the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall to a Syrian refugee camp during an official visit to neighbouring Jordan. The Independent online claims that more than one hundred British Muslims are taking part in the fighting in Syria.

The Israeli media is dominated by the imminent agreement to form a new government, comprised of Likud-Beitenu, Yesh Atid, Jewish Home and Hatnuah. Israel Hayom’s front-page headline declares “Heading towards Israel’s 33^rd government.” Haaretz highlights an apparent compromise whereby Yesh Atid’s Shai Peron will become Education Minister while Likud will appoint the Interior Minister, which has paved the way to conclude a coalition agreement. Maariv focuses on the battle that is expected to ensue within the Likud Party over the seven ministerial positions that it will be allocated. There is plenty of commentary surrounding the coalition agreement, with most pundits agreeing that it represents a triumph for Yesh Atid leader Yair Lapid, who secured a smaller sized government and the ministries that he requested. Writing in Yediot Ahronot, Sima Kadmon says, “Lapid’s victory is absolute.” Meanwhile, in the same publication, Nahum Barnea predicts a government of “paranoia” due to the prime ministerial ambitions of both Lapid and Jewish Home leader Naftali Bennett. However, Shalom Yerushalmi, writing in Maariv, argues that Netanyahu’s biggest problems may come from the “young and restless” backbenchers within his own Likud Party, who are likely to be denied ministerial opportunities.