In the UK media today, the Times and the Independent note the resignation of former foreign minister and Kadima leader Tzipi Livni from the Knesset and carry her warning that Israel’s existence as a Jewish and democratic state are “in mortal danger”. Both papers further note the crumbing of the current coalition and the likelihood that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will soon announce early elections. BBC online quotes Tzipi Livni more extensively as she announced she is “leaving the Knesset at this point, but I’m not retiring from public life”. The Guardian online has a report about restrictions of press freedom inside the Palestinian Authority. The Financial Times has a report from the mixed city of Lod. The report notes the concern of some Israeli Arab residents over the building of a new neighbourhood for Jews. The BBC and the Telegraph cover the continued violence in Syria, with 30 people killed yesterday, including nine members of one family.

Today’s Israeli media concentrates on political stories. Ma’ariv and Haaretz expect that the prime minister will announce on Sunday his preferred date for the next election. All papers note former leader of the opposition Tzipi Livni resigned her seat in the Knesset. Yediot Ahronot views this as “a new beginning, a kind of comeback. In her retirement, she is reminding the voters that she is a politician of a different breed, one who does not cling to her seat. She is closing a window and opening a door, perhaps even to participating in the coming elections.” Ma’ariv’s Ben Caspit speculates she could even join forces with Yair Lapid. Lapid also features prominently this morning after holding his first political rally for supporters and activists yesterday. Yediot Ahronot announce on their front page Lapid’s plan “Five-year exemption and only then draft all Haredim”. Ma’ariv follows Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Strategic Affairs Moshe Yaalon comments that “elections won’t be a consideration on the Iranian issue”. The paper also reveals that Itzik Shmuli, one of the leaders of last summer’s social protest, will soon announce he is running for the Knesset. Haaretz and Israel Hayom reports the Judge Advocate General’‎s Office announced the closing of the investigation into the deaths of the Samuni family during Operation Cast Lead in Gaza. Israel Radio reports Palestinians fired a rocket that landed within the Hof Ashkelon Regional Council last night. It exploded in an open area, no one was injured and no damage was caused. In response the IAF targeted a tunnel in northern Gaza.