The Financial Times covers comments made by Israel’s Absorption Minister, Likud’s Ze’ev Elkin, who told an audience at Bar Ilan University that the Palestinian Authority (PA) is “close to collapse” and will likely cease to function properly within the coming year. The article outlines that there is no clear successor to 81-year-old PA President Mahmoud Abbas, who was elected ten years ago and has not since faced a public ballot.

The online editions of the Guardian and Telegraph both report that the last 74 Palestinian workers at Israeli company SodaStream have been laid off, after their work permits were not secured. The company, whose factory used to be situated in the West Bank, moved their operation within Israel’s pre-1967 borders following pressure from pro-boycott campaigners. However, the result has been the loss of Palestinian jobs, as movement between the two areas is restricted.

The Times reports that Egyptian MP Tawfiq Okasha was struck with a shoe in the Egyptian parliament by a fellow legislator, who was protesting Okasha’s meeting with Israel’s Ambassador to Egypt. Although Israel and Egypt signed a peace deal in 1979 and the two governments have increasingly warm relations, contact with Israel remains taboo in much of Egyptian society.

In the Daily Mail, investigative journalist Tom Bower claims that former-Prime Minister Tony Blair used classified knowledge to advance his business interests after his time in office, including a plan to sell Israeli drones to Nigeria.

Analysis of Iran’s election results continues, with the Financial Times saying that the poll appears to vindicate President Rouhani’s policy of engagement with the West and July’s nuclear deal. However, in the Guardian, Ian Black says that despite the results, “no big reforms are likely,” given the limited power of the country’s parliament in comparison to the clerical authorities. The Independent i reports from the Shia religious stronghold of Qom, where the election results are viewed as a “grim sign that the very legacy” of the 1979 Islamic Revolution “is being betrayed.”

Meanwhile, in Syria, the Times says that as the truce continues, Syrians are enjoying everyday activities such as playing football and having their hair cut for the first time in years.

In the Israeli media, both Yediot Ahronot and Maariv lead with the news that the controversial ‘suspension bill’ will be taken to a first vote in the Knesset plenum, after the  Constitution, Law and Justice Committee approved it, and after Attorney General Avihai Mandelblit said that the bill, albeit problematic, was not unconstitutional. The bill was suggested by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after three Balad MKs caused widespread outrage by visiting the families of Palestinian terrorist who recently killed Israelis. The bill would allow the Knesset to suspend MKs in a special vote with a special majority, but is opposed by many opposition MKs. The story is also prominently covered by Haaretz.

Yediot Ahronot also highlights a conference yesterday hosted jointly by Yesh Atid leader Yair Lapid and Yisrael Beitenu head Avigdor Lieberman, to discuss what they called the emergency situation regarding Israeli foreign relations and the boycott movement. The conference sharply criticised Netanyahu and his government. Maariv and Israel Hayom cover Netanyahu’s response, in which he said, “There are some who choose to jabber away and to hold political conferences, and there are others who repel the pressure on Israel and who strengthen its international alliances to ensure our future here.” Meanwhile, Yediot Ahronot’s Sima Kadmon suggests that Netanyahu is alarmed by the cooperation between Lapid and Lieberman.

Yediot Ahronot covers a late-night rescue in the Palestinian area of Kalandiya in the West Bank, after two soldiers inadvertently lost their way and found themselves under attack in the town. Both fled the scene in different directions and were rescued by Israeli forces. However, Israel Radio news says that subsequent clashes saw one Palestinian killed and several injured.