There is widespread coverage this morning of Prime Minister David Cameron’s speech yesterday to the Knesset. The Telegraph, Independent, Sun, Daily Star and Independent i emphasise Cameron’s pledge to give Israel “rock solid” support, while the Times similarly focuses on what Cameron described as “unbreakable” solidarity with Israel. The Guardian, Evening Standard and Metro focus on Cameron’s vivid encouragement during his speech to make peace a reality, outlining the potential benefits for Israel. The Financial Times online emphasises Cameron’s rejection of efforts to boycott Israel. The Daily Mail and Times highlight the assurance given by Cameron that ritual kosher animal slaughter in the UK will not be restricted while he is in office. In commentary surrounding the speech, an editorial in the Telegraph hails Cameron’s “welcome words” to the Knesset, especially in support of the peace process. However, in the Independent i, Alistair Dawber argues that Cameron, as a friend of Israel, should have been more critical of settlement construction.

The Times, Independent i and the online editions of the Telegraph and Financial Times all cover a barrage of at least 60 rockets, fired yesterday at southern Israel, shortly after Cameron’s speech. It was the largest bombardment of Gaza rockets on southern Israel since 2012. Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility, saying it was in retaliation for an Israeli air strike on Tuesday which killed three of its operatives who fired mortars at an Israeli border patrol. The Telegraph and Daily Express both report that Cameron sharply condemned the rocket attack, calling it “barbaric” while Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned of “great force” in response.

The Times, Telegraph, Financial Times, Independent, Metro and online edition of the Guardian all report on a vote yesterday in the Knesset which approved a new military draft law which will phase out exemptions for ultra-Orthodox seminary students. The law, especially a clause which applies criminal sanctions against those refusing to enlist, is vehemently opposed by ultra-Orthodox leaders. However, it was hailed yesterday by coalition members as an historic measure for Israel.

Elsewhere in the region, the Guardian online covers criticism yesterday by United Nations’ (UN) Secretary General Ban Ki-moon’s over Iran’s human rights record under President Rouhani since he took office last summer. Ban highlighted bias against minorities, unfair trials and in particular an increase in capital punishment under Rouhani’s rule.

In the Israeli media, all dailies lead with the rocket barrage launched by Islamic Jihad yesterday evening at southern Israel. More than 60 rockets were fired from the Gaza Strip, although no injuries were reported. Israel’s air force responded by striking 29 strategic targets in Gaza. The story is the lead item in Yediot Ahronot, Maariv-NRG, Haaretz, Makor Rishon and Israel Hayom, while Israel Radio news says that the barrage was condemned by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and US State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki. Writing in Yediot Ahronot, military affairs commentator Alex Fishman says that neither Israel nor Islamic Jihad wishes to see a prolonged bout of violence.

Prime Minister David Cameron’s warm address to the Knesset plenum yesterday is given particular prominence by Yediot Ahronot, which picks up on Cameron’s comment that the unruly nature of Knesset politics had taught him the meaning of the Hebrew word “balagan” (chaos, disorder).

Meanwhile, there is also significant attention given to the Knesset’s approval yesterday of two controversial items of legislation. It approved a bill to extend the military draft to the vast majority of ultra-Orthodox seminary students and another bill which enshrined as a Basic Law the requirement to hold a national referendum prior to relinquishing any territory under sovereign Israeli control. Maariv-NRG calls the referendum bill an “historic moment” as it is the first time in 22 years in which a new Basic Law has been approved. Basic Laws are considered to operate in lieu of an Israeli constitution.