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Media Summary

Tension rises in southern Israel following rocket attacks

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The main Middle East story in the UK media today is the displaying by Iran yesterday of a US drone which Teheran claims to have downed.The Daily Telegraph, Times and BBC Online note this latest development. In other items, the Guardian describes Israelis as upset with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton for ‘stating the obvious.’ The paper has additional articles on Israel’s plans to close the Mughrabi bridge in Jerusalem’s Old City, women in the military with reference to Israel, Palestinian anger over their recent censure by the British Advertising Standards Authority for using a map showing ‘Palestine’ as extending from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean, and a comment piece on Syrian President Bashar Assad. The Daily Telegraph runs a piece on Syria’s descent into civil war. The paper, along with the Independent and BBC Online, also notes the exchanges of fire between Israel and Hamas-controlled Gaza over the last 24 hours.The Times has a report from inside Syria, and speaks to Emadeddin Abdel Ghaffour, head of the Salafist party al-Nour.The Independent and Reuters note the blowing up of a major pipeline in Syria, probably by rebels.The Independent also reports on the upcoming release by Israel of Palestinian prisoners as part of the deal that released Gilad Shalit.The Financial Times interviews influential Islamist preacher Sheikh Yusuf al-Qaradawi. The article describes Qaradawi as ‘steering Arabs to moderation.’The paper also has a piece on what it calls ‘Israel’s eroding democracy,’ and an additional item on fresh tensions between the army and the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt.The Jewish Chronicle and Sky News Online note US Republican Presidential hopefuls’ expressions of support for Israel. The Jewish Chronicle has an additional piece on Israeli responses to claims that Beduin are to be expelled from their areas of residence to expand the town of Ma’aleh Adumim east of Jerusalem.Jewish News runs a piece on Israeli responses to Secretary of State Clinton and Foreign Secretary William Hague’s criticisms of recent legislative moves in Israel to restrict foreign funding of NGOs and other measures.The Economist has pieces on the rise of Islamism in the Middle East, Israel’s response to this, the rise of the ‘religious right’ in Israel, a row over the US Ambassador to Belgium’s remarks that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict was the cause of Muslim anti-Semitism, and Republican presidential hopeful Newt Gingrich’s foreign policy positions, with reference to Israel. The New Statesman interviews a Palestinian writer and has a feature on al-Jazeera.BBC Online notes Hamas uncertainty as Syria slides toward civil war. The Evening Standard notes an expression of support for the Assad regime by Hassan Nasrallah, leader of Hezbollah.

The print editions of Israel Hayom, Haaretz and the Jerusalem Post lead with the rocket fire on Israeli communities following the targeted killing in Gaza.

In the Israeli media, all papers note the Israeli strikes on Gaza, and the rocket fire from Gaza on southern Israeli communities.Haaretz reports on a PLO attempt to get the United Nations Security Council to censure Israel over continued construction in settlements.Israel Hayom has additional pieces on Republican Presidential hopefuls’ expressions of determination to thwart Iran’s nuclear drive, and US Ambassador to Israel Dan Shapiro’s remarks on the US’s close strategic dialogue with Israel.