Developments in Syria continue to dominate the UK coverage of the Middle East. In print editions the Times runs an article on a UN report accusing the Syrian regime of using children as human shields. The Daily Mail covers in its print edition the accusations of US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton that Russia is sending attack helicopters to the Syrian regime, which will escalate the conflict, and all other media outlets cover this development online. The Independent in its print edition includes a roundup of where various Middle East countries stand on the Syrian issues, which notes that, “Israel broke a year of official silence this week to condemn the state sponsored ‘genocide’ in Syria and called for Assad to go.”  There is extensive coverage online from all the major outlets on developments in the conflict in various parts of Syria. In addition the Independent reports on the supply of weapons to Syrian revels by Saudi Arabia and Qatar, whilst the BBC focuses on comments by the UN’s head of peace keeping saying that Syria is now in a civil war, and the Guardian reports that the UK will refuse entry to the head of the Syrian Olympic Committee.

In other news, the Guardian reports on the declining popularity of President Barak Obama, which it attributes in part to a perception that he has not been more even handed on the Israeli-Palestinian issue. The Independent carries two letters critical of Israel, one claiming that Israel denies the Palestinians the right of self-defence, the other referring to the activities in the West Bank of private security firm GS4, which has a contact to secure the Olympics. The Telegraph reports on Iranian plans to develop nuclear submarines. Meanwhile online the Guardian has an article accusing Israel and the Palestinian Authority of harassing the Freedom theatre in the Jenin Refugee Camp in the West Bank.

In Israeli media today, most paper’s carry on their front pages reports on today’s publication of the state comptroller’s report into the government’s handling of the Mavi Marmara incident. The Jerusalem Post reports that, “State Comptroller Micha Lindenstrauss is expected to sharply criticize the prime minister and defense minister”, whilst Maariv states that, “The central criticism in both parts of the report is levelled at Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu.”  The report focuses on the decision making process of the government, following a state commissioned inquiry led by Judge Turkel which concluded that Israel’s actions were legal, but that the IDF had insufficient intelligence about the violent intent of the protesters.

Also widely reported are Hillary Clinton’s comments regarding the Russian supply of weapons to the Syrian regime, which were made in a joint press conference with Israeli president Shimon Peres. Haaretz reports on Clinton’s statement, and noted also Peres’s comment that the Arab League should take the lead in international intervention. There is also widespread reporting on Shimon Peres’s receipt of the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Obama today, and Peres’s intention to request the release of former US naval intelligence officer Jonathan Pollard, who was convicted of spying for Israel in 1986.

Yediot Ahronot reports on developments in the efforts to find a solution to the issue of drafting ultra-Orthodox Israelis into the IDF. The current legal framework that allows many to avoid service has been declared unconstitutional and must be replaced by August. According to the paper, the committee is considering a proposal whereby the IDF will determine how many ultra-Orthodox men it wishes to draft each year. Leading Israeli political commentator Nahum Barnea writes that the arrangement “will offer the Haredim a draft the way a doctor offers a child to swallow a bitter pill: in small doses and with a brimming spoonful of sugar.”

Meanwhile, Maariv reports on problems facing attempts to find an agreement for residents of five illegally built apartment buildings in the Beit El settlement to leave consensually. Channel 2 News is reporting that Russian president Vladimir Putin will visit Israel, the Palestinian Authority and Jordan before the end of the month. Makor-Rishon-Hatzofe reports on the calls by some Knesset members to recognise the Armenian genocide. Haaretz reports on the suspension of an IDF officer filmed apparently firing live ammunition at stone throwing Palestinian protesters. Various media outlets note that former Israeli captive soldier Gilad Shalit will take up a job as a sports columnist for Yediot Ahronot.