The sudden resignation yesterday of Palestinian Authority (PA) Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah is covered by the Guardian, Financial Times, Telegraph, Independent and Times. Hamdallah, an academic with little previous political or government experience had only been appointed to the position two weeks ago. All reports speculate that Hamdallah resigned due to a dispute over the scope of his authority. It is unclear whether PA President Mahmoud Abbas will accept Hamdallah’s resignation.

The Telegraph reports that the European Commission has warned that Syria could constitute the world’s largest refugee crisis in a generation. Meanwhile, the online editions of the Times and Telegraph cover a UNESCO announcement that six World Heritage Sites in Syria are in danger due to the ongoing civil war. Writing in the Independent and the Independent i, Patrick Cockburn argues that a large majority of Syrians do not care who they are ruled by anymore and simply wish for an end to the bloody conflict. In the Financial Times, Philip Stevens warns that the impact of Iran’s nuclear programme on international security will be far greater than the dilemmas currently posed by Syria’s civil war. In the Guardian online, Ian Black offers an analysis of new Iranian President Hassan Rowhani, calling him the “ultimate insider” in Tehran’s regime who should not be expected by the West to deliver too much too soon.

The Guardian reports that Israel’s Chief Rabbi, Yona Metzger was yesterday questioned by police over allegations of bribery and money-laundering. In a column in the Independent, Alistair Dawber says that Israeli and Palestinian leaders are already ‘playing the blame game’ to pin responsibility on the other side should US Secretary of State John Kerry’s initiative to kick-start peace talks fail to bear fruit. The Independent also includes an analysis of Israeli President Shimon Peres’ career, arguing that although it will be remembered fondly, Peres was Prime Minister only fleetingly and did not overwhelmingly carry public opinion.

The Israeli media this morning focuses on two stories. First is the escape from a safe house of the state’s primary witness in the investigation into a double murder in a gay youth club in Tel Aviv four years ago. The witness elicited a confession from the suspected murderers and so his evidence is deemed to be crucial. The story is the front page headline in all major dailies including Haaretz, Maariv, Sof Hashavua, while the headline in Yediot Ahronot refers to the “Disgrace of the Israel Police” and a similar front page in Israel Hayom declares “Embarrassment” at the escape. Baruch Kra writing in Maariv notes that while cracking the case was touted by police as an outstanding success, it now threatens to turn into a major disappointment.

The other dominant story this morning is the lengthy questioning by police yesterday of Chief Rabbi Yona Metzger, whose home and office were also searched. He is suspected of having pocketed charitable donations to non-profits and soup kitchens and has been placed under a period of house arrest. It is a major story in Yediot Ahronot, Maariv, Haaretz, Sof Hashavua and Israel Hayom. Three additional suspects were also questioned yesterday according to Israel Radio news.

Meanwhile, Sof Hashavua says that unnamed cabinet ministers have criticised Defence Minister Moshe Ya’alon for his insistence that dealings with the Palestinian Authority must undergo the closest scrutiny, which they believe is inhibiting cooperation.