In the British press this morning, the Times, Sky News Online, BBC Online and Reuters note a statement by Syrian President Bashar Assad, denying responsibility for the killing of civilians in Syria. BBC Online, the Evening Standard, the Daily Telegraph, Independent and Metro-London report on former President Moshe Katzav’s commencement of his prison sentence. The Guardian has an articles on US Republican candidates’ expressions of support for Israel, an opinion piece arguing that there is no proof that Iran is seeking nuclear weapons and opposing western action against Iran, the beginning by former President Moshe Katzav of his seven year sentence for rape, and a decision by the British Advertising Standards Authority criticising the Palestinian mission in London for using a map which depicted the entire area between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea as ‘Palestine.’ The Independent speaks to members of the rebel Free Syrian Army. The Times also notes that the US considered a military operation to recover a drone downed in Iran, and has an additional piece on the possibility that America or Israel will go to war with Iran over the country’s nuclear programme The Financial Times reports that the Syrian authorities have begun to delay or stop Turkish trucks seeking to use Syria as a land route, in response to Turkey’s stance regarding the Assad regime. Reuters notes that Egyptian Islamists have made additional gains in run-off elections.

The Jerusalem Post print edition leads with Syrian President Assad’s statement that only ‘crazy’ leaders would kill their own people. Haaretz and Israel Hayom print editions lead with former President Katzav’s commencement of his jail sentence.

In the Israeli media, all papers report on the end of a dispute between the Treasury and medical residents. Ynetnews, Haaretz and the Jerusalem Post note US Republican candidates’ expressions of support for Israel. Israel Hayom notes Attorney-General Yehuda Weinstein’s criticisms of the proposed laws restricting foreign funding of NGOs in Israel. Ynetnews also notes a statement by British Foreign Secretary William Hague expressing concern at these proposed laws. Israel Hayom notes former President Katzav’s unrepentant stance as he entered jail.