The Times reports that the Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas has sworn in a new government, headed by current prime minister Salam Fayyad. The move is contrary to last year’s Doha Accord, in which Fatah and Hamas agreed to establish a unity government ahead of parliamentary and presidential elections. The BBC notes comments by Syrian leader Bashar Assad, in which he concedes international public opinion is against his regime. Syria has refused to comply with a UN demand to respond to allegations of torture in the country. The Daily Mail notes that Iran has executed a man accused of spying for Israel, and that his conviction may have been based on confidential diplomatic cables published by Wikileaks. The Independent reports that the Israeli Supreme Court is set to rule on the fate of Palestinian villagers whose land lies within a military firing zone. The BBC reports that Turkish villagers called the police after they found a bird with a metal ring around its leg bearing the word ‘Israel’. The villagers were concerned that the bird, a common European bee-eater, had unusually large nostrils which could contain surveillance devices.

Makor Rishon carries comments by US Ambassador to Israel, Dan Shapiro, earlier this week. Speaking to Israeli lawyers, Shapiro said that although diplomatic avenues had yet to be exhausted, the US had a military option to deal with Iran that ‘is truly ready’. The Jerusalem Post has interviewed Labour Party head Sheli Yacimovich who urged more time for diplomacy with Iran. In an interview with outgoing Israeli Air Force commander Maj.-Gen. Ido Nechushtan, the paper also carries his assurances that ‘the IAF is prepared’ for all missions and threats ahead. The paper also covers the new Palestinian government, with angry responses from Hamas who accuse Abbas of abrogating the Doha Accord and the search for national unity. Haaretz notes that the US Senate will begin debating tougher sanctions on Iran, which will focus on preventing banks process transactions relating to Iranian oil exports. Ynet reports that two unauthorised settlement outposts were demolished last night, as the deadline for resolving the Ulpana Hill outpost nears. Yediot Ahronot notes the incident in Taibe yesterday in which a police raid to seize weapons and contraband turned into a shootout in which one person was killed. Israel Radio news and several online newspapers report the death of former government minister and deputy Shin Bet head Gideon Ezra this morning.