The Times reports that Israel’s Science and Technology Minister Yaakov Peri met yesterday in London with Minister for Universities and Science David Willetts. Peri urged Willetts to do all he can to prevent academic boycotts against Israel in the UK. Peri also met with Prime Minister David Cameron during his visit.

The Guardian includes a feature analysing the future for the premiership of Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in the wake of international diplomacy with Iran. The article predicts that Israeli concessions in peace talks with the Palestinians may be less likely following the conclusion of the interim nuclear deal between the P5+1 powers (US, UK, France, Russia, China and Germany) and Iran, which Netanyahu and other Israeli leaders have criticised.

The Independent i and the Guardian report that an Israeli mother has been fined by a Rabbinical court, which has some legal authority, for refusing to have her son circumcised. The incident is part of a divorce case. Israel’s Justice Ministry said it will appeal the decision to the Supreme Court on the mother’s behalf. The Guardian also covers the prison sentences handed yesterday to seven Israeli-Arabs who killed a Jewish extremist after he had opened fire and killed four Arabs on a bus in 2005. Meanwhile, the online edition of the Guardian includes a feature on Israeli clean-tech innovation with solar-powered transport hubs and energy fields being rapidly developed.

The Independent, Guardian and online edition of the Telegraph report that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has accepted Iran’s invitation to inspect the Arak plutonium plant. The inspection would be part of a recent agreement between the IAEA and Iran to increase monitoring, not the result of the interim deal agreed between the P5+1 powers and Iran. An earthquake in Iran which killed seven people 35 miles from the nuclear reactor at Bushehr is covered by the Telegraph, Sun and Daily Mirror. Iranian officials said the reactor has not been damaged. The Financial Times says Turkey is keen to boost cooperation with Tehran, especially economic ties, once sanctions on Iran have been reduced. Writing in the Guardian, Ian Black says that despite Saudi anger over the interim nuclear deal, Riyadh has no alternative option but to retain its alliance with the United States.

The Guardian online reports a student was killed outside Cairo University in clashes between security forces and pro-Muslim Brotherhood protestors. Meanwhile, the Times says an Egyptian court has handed heavy prison sentences to 21 Islamist women, including seven minors, following their participation in a protest last month against the military government.

In the Israeli media this morning, Yediot Ahronot, Maariv, Haaretz and Israel Hayom prominently cover an incident in Jerusalem yesterday in which a two-year old girl suffered moderate injuries to her head, after her family car was struck by rocks thrown by youths from a nearby Arab neighbourhood. Four suspects were later arrested and police suspect a nationalistic motive to the attack. Yediot Ahronot calls the incident “Terrorism against babies.”

Israel Radio news covers comments made yesterday evening by Prime Minister Netanyahu who said Israel would prefer to see a diplomatic solution to halt Iran’s military nuclear development. In a speech delivered at the Western Wall, marking the Jewish festival of Chanukah, Netanyahu said Israel is working with the international community over reaching a permanent agreement with Tehran.

Another major item is the announcement yesterday by Education Minister Shai Piron and Finance Minister Yair Lapid that the school summer holiday for elementary school children will be shortened. Yediot Ahronot, Israel Hayom and Sof Hashavua report that three weeks in July will be devoted to studying social values, which will be taught by trainee and qualified teachers who choose to opt in to the scheme.