The online editions of the Times, Telegraph and Financial Times all report that the government yesterday circulated a discussion paper among European allies suggesting that the current European Union (EU) arms embargo on Syria be lifted, in order to pave the way to supplying weaponry to Syrian opposition groups. The EU will decide on whether to renew the current restrictions at the end of the month. Most reports also mention that Prime Minister David Cameron will travel to Russia on Friday to meet President Putin to discuss the deteriorating situation in Syria.

In Syria itself, the Guardian online claims that the internationally-recognised Free Syrian Army is losing troops to the better funded and better equipped Islamist opposition group Jabhat al-Nusra. An editorial in the Independent praises the joint US-Russian initiative to convene an international conference over Syria, which would aim to find an agreed peaceful solution between the two sides. However, an editorial in the Financial Times warns that Western diplomacy alone will not be enough to end the conflict, while an op-ed in the Evening Standard urges increasingly hands-on involvement in the conflict from the West.

The Guardian online reports on the current visit to China by Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, speculating that China intends to play an increasing role in the Middle East. Meanwhile, the online editions of the Telegraph and Independent report that the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem, directly appointed by the Palestinian Authority, was questioned yesterday by Israeli police over an incident earlier this week in which chairs were thrown at Jewish worshippers at the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, a site holy to both Jews and Muslims. The Daily Mirror reports that Egypt has uncovered and destroyed hundreds of tunnels used to smuggle weapons and goods into the Gaza Strip.

This morning’s Telegraph, Daily Mail, Guardian, Independent and Times cover the decision by world-renowned physicist Stephen Hawking to pull out of attending a conference in Israel next month marking the ninetieth birthday of the country’s President Shimon Peres. Hawking said that his decision came after the intervention of a number of Palestinian academics who urged him to boycott Israel. Meanwhile, the Times online reports that the Israeli Ambassador to the UK, Daniel Taub has condemned a Church of Scotland report which questions the Jewish attachment to the land of Israel.

In the Israeli media, Finance Minister Yair Lapid’s budget plans continues to capture the attention of most front pages. Lapid held a press conference yesterday evening with Labour Federation chairman Ofer Eini, explaining that although he does not want to hurt the very middle classes which he campaigned to protect during January’s election, it is necessary for all sectors of society to help improve the country’s economic situation. Yediot Ahronot leads with the headline “Lapid: We’ve taken from all pockets,” while Haaretz, Maariv and Makor Rishon express similar sentiments on their front pages too. Writing in Maariv, Shalom Yerushalmi argues that the public are angry that Lapid has failed to keep his election promises. Israel Radio news says that local authorities are threatening to strike over Lapid’s plans while tourism companies are planning a vigil outside Lapid’s home in protest at the planned introduction of VAT to tourists.

Haaretz also gives prominent attention to Stephen Hawking’s decision to cancel his participation at a conference in Israel, in adherence to calls for an academic boycott. Maariv’s Ben-Dror Yemini writes that Hawking’s no-show must act as a wake-up call to the Israeli government over the dangers posed by the boycott movement.

Israel Radio news covers a Wall St Journal report which claims that Israel has warned the United States over the last few days that Russia is planning to sell Syria advanced anti-aircraft launchers and missiles.