In the UK media today, various reports address the relationship between the US and Israel on their Iran policy. The Financial Times previews the forthcoming meeting between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Barack Obama, and reports that Washington is seeking to ‘quieten the drumbeats’ for military action. The Independent and the Times also report an Israeli source quoted by AP claiming that Israel would not warn the US before launching a strike on Iranian nuclear facilities. The FT also reports on issues facing the US administration in enforcing new sanctions on Iran. The Independent reports that French courts are to re-examine controversial footage which purports to show the death of 12 year old Muhammad Al-Dura at the beginning of the Second Intifada in 2000, but whose authenticity has been cast into doubt since a French activist was acquitted of libel charges after saying the footage was faked. The Times has a comment piece condemning the Syrian regime, whilst the Metro has an article on the issue of deporting Abu Qatada. The papers cover developments in Syria extensively online, including the rescue of a Sunday Times photographer. BBC online reports on the death toll in Syria reaching 7500, and also on the election of a Muslim Brotherhood member as speaker of the new Egyptian parliament.

The Israeli press continues to be dominated by domestic economic issues, including record high petrol prices which make the front pages of Yediot Ahronot and Israel Hayom. The press also widely reports on the handover of the presidency of the Supreme Court and the speeches of Prime Minister Netanyahu, outgoing chief justice Dorit Beinisch, and her replacement Asher Grunis. Meanwhile Haaretz leads with a report on attempts by Israel to push the US to take a tougher line on Iran, whilst Israel Hayom reports that the two sides are aiming to draft a joint statement on Iran which will conclude Prime Minister Netanyahu’s meeting with President Obama on Monday. Ynet News report on statements by US military chief Martin Dempsey in which he denied warning Israel against a military strike on Iran. Ynet News also reports on the Wikileaks release of a Stratfor email alleging that Israel and Russia traded data codes of military systems they had sold to Georgia and Iran respectively. The Jerusalem Post reports the claim of a former senior IDF missile defence officer that Israel can defend itself against Iranian rockets using its various missile defence systems. Maariv has a report on Jerusalem approaching the milestone of one million residents, whilst Haaretz reports on Israeli unemployment falling to a 32-year low.