In the UK media Egypt remains the focus of Middle East coverage with all outlets reporting on the latest developments. The Daily Telegraph covers calls by Egyptian Islamists to start an ‘intifada’ in an effort to restore Mohammed Morsi to power. They note, there have been intelligence reports of a build up of weapons, some of which was stolen from Gaddafi’s stocks in neighbouring Libya, which otherwise would have been smuggled into Gaza. The Daily Telegraph also notes the deterioration of security in the Sinai, where Islamists have taken over the governor’s palace in El Arish raising the black Islamist flag. The Guardian follows the mass demonstrations, both ‘hailing and protesting’ the army’s removal of President Morsi. They also note the political developments after Mohamed ElBaradei was sworn in as interim Prime Minister. According to the Guardian, ElBaradei appears unacceptable to the Salafi al-Nour party, which was part of a cobbled together coalition during the deposition of Morsi last week. The Times reports from Washington on Senator John McCain’s call to suspend the billion dollars of aid to Egypt. The Times also notes that Secretary of State John Kerry is expected to return to Israel later this week to resume efforts to reignite the peace process. However, his trip may be delayed as the Telegraph reports Kerry’s wife was rushed to hospital last night. The Metro covers the continued fighting in Syria where 120 people were killed in Homs, there were also clashes near Zahraa involving fighters from Hezbollah. City AM covers the decision by Idan Ofer, one of Israel’s wealthiest businessmen, to break up parts of his Corp conglomerate and list the company on London Stock Exchange.

In the Israeli media all front pages are dominated by the rescue of a pilot and navigator who bailed out of an F-16i fighter fighter plane yesterday at sea, some 50 kilometres from the Gaza coast. Reports suggest it was due to engine failure. This is the first ever technical failure of this type in any of the Israeli air forces advanced fleet and a committee has been set up to investigate the crash. The developments in Egypt also feature prominently across the papers. Haaretz raises the concern that there could be a renewal of rocket fire from Gaza. Israel radio reiterates the warning of the Counter Terrorism Bureau against Israelis visiting Sinai at this time. All the papers also cover yesterday’s vote in the cabinet approving new legislation to draft ultra-orthodox into the army. Yediot Ahronot quotes MK Moshe Gafni, from the ultra orthodox United Torah Judaism party, who says: “The decision is a blot on the State of Israel, There will be no forgiveness for Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and for Naftali Bennett, chairman of the Jewish Home, which is considered a religious party.” Maariv carries an op-ed by Minister Yaakov Peri, who headed the committee that presented the new legislation. In the op-ed Peri calls upon the ultra orthodox community “to seize the current opportunity and strive to hold a constructive dialogue and prepare people’s minds for the historic change”. Israel Hayom quotes Palestinian sources that suggest there is a good chance of renewing negotiations with Israel. Whist in the Jerusalem Post, dozens of Likud and Shas activists met yesterday with Palestinian Nabil Shaath and Yasser Abbed-Rabbo in Ramallah at an event organised by the Geneva Initiative. Shlomo Madmon, who heads the Likud’s branch in Kfar Saba, said at the event that “it is forbidden to leave the conflict for our children and grandchildren’ and that ideology cannot change reality”. Yediot Ahronot reports on new legislation to ban smoking at football grounds. Israel Hayom announces a new biometric data base trial will begin today and carries opinions of two MKs arguing for and against the adoption of the programme.