Several news sources note predictions that Israel is heading for general elections on 4 September. BBC Online, the Guardian and Independent analyse Israel’s political arena and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s decision to call for elections at this time. The analysis cites Netanyahu’s strong lead in the polls as a key factor in his decision. BBC Online also reports on the ongoing violence in Syria, after an attack by forces loyal to the Assad regime on student housing in the city of Aleppo. The Jewish Chronicle reports that the EU’s Foreign Policy chief Catherine Ashton will meet Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu next Wednesday in Jerusalem before the next stage in talks between Iran, the five permanent members of the UN Security Council and Germany. The Financial Times reports that Egyptian Islamic parties accused the Egyptian Army of excessive violence against demonstrators earlier this week, while the Guardian notes that the country’s leading generals have denied involvement in the violence and pledged to transfer power to the new president by 30 June.

The Israeli media is dominated by reports and analysis of the expected announcement of new elections on 4 September. Yediot Ahronot reports that ultra-Orthodox parties agreed to support the September date in return for the prime minister’s agreement to block a proposed bill by Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman for drafting of ultra-Orthodox men to the army. Several papers note rising tensions in Shas, as the party’s former leader Aryeh Deri prepares his return to politics. It is still unclear whether Deri will return to Shas or run independently. Ma’ariv features an election poll showing that Likud maintains a strong lead. Haaretz reports that Netanyahu considered joining forces with Lieberman’s Yisrael Beiteinu to counter a joint centre-left list of Labour, Kadima and Yair Lapid’s Yesh Atid (‘There is a Future’) party. The paper also covers a recent visit to London by Israel’s head of National Security Council Yaakov Amidror, which sought to coordinate the two countries positions ahead of another round of talks between the security council permanent members and Germany and Iran. Israel Radio reports that Hagai Amir, brother of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin’s assassin, was released from jail today after 16 and a half years. Amir was convicted of conspiracy to murder, possession of weapons and threats, and he spent most of his incarceration in solitary confinement. Several papers also note that Germany handed over a newly built Dolphin submarine to the Israeli Navy. ‎The new submarine is considered one of the most advanced submarines in the world, and will significantly enhance Israel’s strategic deterrence against Iran.