In the UK media today, the Guardian online reports that a proposal to solve a dispute over prayer rights at the Western Wall in Jerusalem has been announced by Natan Sharansky, the chairman of the Jewish Agency, who was tasked by Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to find a solution to the disagreement. A campaign for women to hold their own prayer services at the Western Wall, a departure from Orthodox Jewish tradition, has intensified over recent months, with current regulations banning such practice. Sharansky’s plan proposes the creation of a mixed prayer area at the site.

The Financial Times reports that Israel’s Finance Minister Yair Lapid announced that he is “vigorously opposed” to a proposed takeover of Israel Chemicals, which makes industrial use of Dead Sea minerals, by the Canadian company Potash Corporation. The deal would be the biggest in Israel’s history, but Lapid argues that Israel’s natural resources are a public asset.

In their coverage of arrangements for the funeral of Margaret Thatcher next week, the Guardian, Independent and Independent i all mention that Prime Minister Netanyahu is expected to attend, travelling to London especially for the occasion.

The online edition of the Times says that Syrian opposition leaders have been lobbying G8 foreign ministers during a meeting in London, urging them to support a range of military measures in their efforts to overthrow President Assad. These include lifting the European Union arms embargo, allowing Qatar and Saudi Arabia to provide weapons to opposition groups and support for the creation of a safe zone in opposition held areas. Meanwhile, the online editions of the Telegraph and Financial Times report that the Syrian Islamist opposition group Jabhat al-Nusra has publicly pledged allegiance to Al-Qaeda in Iraq although it denies that a merger between the two groups has taken place.

The Financial Times online says that support for the ruling Muslim Brotherhood party in Egypt may be waning with recent elections in student unions and professional associations indicating a significant drop in support.

In the Israeli media, Maariv’s front page headline is devoted to Finance Minister Yair Lapid’s plans for the state budget, which he will today present to Prime Minister Netanyahu. Lapid’s proposed cuts and tax hikes are also a major story in Yediot Ahronot, Haaretz, Makor Rishon and Israel Hayom. All reports speculate that Lapid’s measures will include a cut in child allowance, a rise in VAT, increased income tax for high earners and the introduction of some VAT on fruit and vegetables.

Yediot Ahronot, Israel Hayom and Makor Rishon lead with reports on a horrific traffic accident which took place yesterday near Haifa, when a goods truck lost control and ploughed into a number of smaller vehicles, killing six people and injuring fifteen. Israel Hayom calls it “A truck laden with death.” Reports indicate that the accident was caused through negligence and the possibility that the truck was overloaded.

Maariv also reports that relations remain strained between Israel and Turkey, despite the recent apology issued by Prime Minister Netanyahu to his Turkish counterpart over the 2010 Mavi Marmara incident. Maariv says that Turkey’s Prime Minister has postponed a visit to the Gaza Strip at the request of the United States.

Meanwhile, Israel Radio News covers reports that Palestinian Authority (PA) Prime Minister Salam Fayyad has resigned over disagreements with PA President Mahmoud Abbas. The report says it is unclear whether Abbas will accept Fayyad’s resignation.