Several dailies offer a preview of US President Barack Obama’s visit to Israel and the region, which begins tomorrow. The Times describes Obama’s trip as “more hope than change” with little optimism that it will contribute to significant progress in the Israel-Palestinian diplomatic process. The Independent says that although some European diplomats believe that a set of circumstances exist which could further the peace process, that there is “widespread disillusion among Israelis and Palestinians.” The Independent also includes a profile of convicted Israeli spy Jonathan Pollard, currently serving a life sentence in a US prison, whose fate may be a topic on the agenda of talks between Obama and Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The Guardian highlights Netanyahu’s speech at the swearing in of Israel’s new government yesterday, during which he expressed gratitude towards the United States ahead of Obama’s visit, but warned that Israel faces “enormous threats.” The Times online analyses the composition of Netanyahu’s new government and highlights some of the difficulties it will face both from within and from an “unruly” opposition.

Both the Independent and its sister publication Independent i report on a dispute between the IDF and Israel’s Foreign Ministry over the latter’s decision to enlist Israeli supermodel Bar Refaeli to head a new campaign to promote the country overseas. The IDF claims that Refaeli’s inclusion would send a “negative message” as she did not complete a minimum period of national service as generally required.

The Guardian online profiles a new Palestinian online business venture, which enables Palestinians to purchase plots of West Bank land, which can otherwise be a complicated administrative process. Meanwhile, the Telegraph online covers the release of a long-term Palestinian hunger striker from Israeli prison after a deal was struck to allow him to reside solely in the Gaza Strip for the next ten years.

The Evening Standard and the online editions of the Guardian, Times and Telegraph cover the election yesterday in Istanbul by the Syrian Opposition Coalition of a Prime Minister slated to administer opposition-held territories in Syria. Ghassan Hitto, who has lived in the United States for the past thirty years, was elected to the position. It remains to be seen whether all opposition groups will respect his authority. Meanwhile, the Independent online reports that Syrian government jets yesterday bombed targets inside neighbouring Lebanon, in what the article suggests was a warning from Damascus against the flow of arms and fighters crossing the border.

The Israeli media provides extensive coverage of the swearing in of the country’s new government in the Knesset yesterday. Both Yediot Ahronot and Israel Hayom lead with the headline “Getting down to work.” Among the developments that took place beyond the ceremonial swearing in, Israel Radio News reports that the government, in cooperation with the opposition, approved an amendment to extend the period in which a new budget must be presented, which had been set for 45 days time. Writing in Yediot Ahronot, Sima Kadmon predicts that the new government will serve out a lengthy term, mainly because both Yesh Atid leader Yair Atid and Jewish Home head Naftali Bennett are more interested in learning the ropes of government than bringing it down. Shalom Yerushalmi broadly concurs in Haaretz, while Nahum Barnea in Yediot Ahronot says that Netanyahu will face a formidable and fighting opposition.

In other news, Israel Radio News reports comments made by Jordan’s King Abdullah in the US-based Atlantic Magazine, in which he says that his relationship with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is close and that talks between them have greatly improved.