The Independent and Independent i include an interview with Israel’s Ambassador to the UK, Daniel Taub, who outlines Israel’s concerns over the interim deal agreed over Iran’s nuclear programme. Ambassador Taub emphasised the possibility of forming new alliances with other countries in the region who share concerns over Iran’s nuclear development. The Times says both Republican and Democrat US Senators are preparing legislation which could see tougher sanctions imposed on Iran if deemed necessary. Writing in the Guardian, Julian Borger says the International Atomic Energy Agency is pivotal in monitoring Iranian compliance with the interim deal and could find itself stretched. In Iran itself, the Times reports that President Rouhani has pledged to save the Iranian economy in the wake of the interim agreement. In City AM, John Hulsman says that Saudi oil ambitions are the big loser from the deal, while the Financial Times online reports that a Saudi commentator has described the agreement as “more dangerous than 9/11.”

The Guardian online reports that Israeli government ministers are split on whether to sign on to the terms of participating in the European Union’s (EU) flagship Horizon 2020 research programme. Israel is keen to sign up to the initiative, but does not wish to sign an agreement which specifies that grants are not applicable to territories beyond the pre-1967 borders, for fear that it would create a political precedent. Meanwhile, the Telegraph says a Rabbinical court in Israel, which has some legal authority, has ordered a mother to circumcise her son or face a fine, in a case regarding divorce proceedings. The Guardian covers an interview on Israeli television this week in which Hollywood producer Arnon Michan claimed that he served as an Israeli agent.

The Telegraph online reports that the Western-backed opposition military force, the Free Syrian Army, has said it will not attend the proposed Geneva II talks in late January and will not suspend fighting during the conference. Meanwhile, in Egypt, the Financial Times says dozens have been arrested in Cairo while protesting against a new law which would restrict the right to demonstrate.

The Israeli media is dominated this morning by the sudden death last night of singer Arik Einstein, considered perhaps the most influential Israeli musician of all time. Einstein’s musical career spanned six decades, having released 44 albums and he is considered to be the founding father of modern Israeli music. Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Peres both paid tribute to Einstein as television stations halted regular programming to cover the news. Einstein’s death dominates the first several pages of Yediot Ahronot, Maariv, Makor Rishon and Israel Hayom which leads with the headline “Death of a Giant.”

In other news, Yediot Ahronot reports that Israel and the European Union (EU) have reached a compromise allowing Israel to sign an agreement to participate in the Horizon 2020 research programme. The report says that an appendix to the agreement will state that Israel opposes the EU position on pre-1967 territories and it cannot be construed as a legal and diplomatic precedent.

Israel Hayom, Makor Rishon and Israel Radio news report that Israeli security forces yesterday killed three Salafi terrorists near Hebron following a shoot-out, preventing them from launching a terrorist attack apparently aimed at both Israeli and Palestinian Authority targets. Israel Radio news says two handguns and an explosive charge were found in the car of the terrorists, who refused to stop when challenged.