In today’s UK media Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to Bethlehem and his meetings with Palestinian leaders is covered in the Independent and the London Evening Standard. There is coverage of a report by British lawyers on the treatment of Palestinian minors arrested in the West Bank in the Independent and Guardian. The Guardian also features an interview with one of the wives of the Israeli athletes murdered at the 1972 Olympics, in which she explains why their memory should be honoured at this year’s ceremony in London. In regional news, the Independent carries an editorial on the escalating conflict in Syria and the standoff with Turkey. The Financial Times reveals that a respected Moscow based think tank has questioned Russia’s support for the Syrian regime. BBC and the Telegraph online reports on heavy fighting close to Damascus as well as Presidents Bashar Assad’s comments that his country is in a “state of war”. Guardian columnist Seumas Milne argues the election of Mohammed Morsi in Egypt should strengthen the forces of revolution in the wider region.

The Israeli media focuses on the proposed amendments to ultra orthodox national and military service. Haaretz notes Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s efforts to keep the ultra orthodox parties in the coalition despite the proposed new bill. Maariv suggests the PM may request more time from the high court in order to prepare the legislation. All papers report prominently on four Katyusha rockets fired on Netivot from Gaza last night. Two of the rockets were intercepted by the Iron Dome system. All papers also cover the discussion between Finance Minister Yuval Steinitz and PM Netanyahu regarding next year’s budget. The PM’s preferred expansion of the deficit over tax hikes is lauded by Israel Hayom’s while Yediot Ahronot regards this as “election economics”. Yediot Ahronot also reports that the first tents of this summer’s social protest were set up last night in Tel Aviv. Yediot Ahronot reports the planned meeting on Sunday in Ramallah between Deputy Prime Minister Mofaz and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. Maariv notes that Israeli university leaders have opposed the planned upgrade of the Ariel Academic College to a university, warning against the financial repercussions of such a move. All the papers report on the forest fire that blazed around the Jerusalem forest yesterday afternoon. Maariv suggests the police are looking into the cause of the blaze, and the possibility of arson with nationalist motives.