The news that WikiLeaks had begun publishing more than 2 million emails from Syrian political figures, ministries and corporations dominates Middle East coverage in the UK media this morning. The defection of a senior general in the Syrian army and a personal friend of Bashar Assad is also widely covered in the papers. Metro London also reports that violence in Syria has hit an ‘unprecedented level’ – forcing UN observers to abandon their work, according to some claims yesterday. Dimitris Christofias, president of Cyprus, said the nation had drawn up plans to receive a possible in-flux of evacuees from Syria if necessary. Writing in the Jewish Chronicle, Robin Shepherd denounces the UN Human Rights Council for acting “as a key forum for the legitimisation of the global hate campaign against the State of Israel.” BBC online covers a report claiming the economic potential of Palestinians in the Jordan Valley area of the West Bank is jeopardised by Israeli settlement activity. Ongoing calls for an international inquiry into the death of the late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat are reported by the London Evening Standard and Metro London. BBC reports that Hamas also supports the investigation. The Jewish Chronicle reports on the financial crisis in the Palestinian Authority. Reuters and the Guardian report that Haaretz journalist Uri Blau reached a plea-bargain with Israeli government after obtaining more than 2000 military documents.

The coalition crisis over the drafting of ultra-Orthodox Jews remains the top story in Israel. A large demonstration is planned to take place tomorrow in Tel Aviv in support of more equal service for all Israelis. Yediot Ahronot reports that the demonstration prompted Prime Minister Benjmain Netanyahu and Kadima Chairman MK Shaul Mofaz to meet yesterday to try and resolve the crisis.  Ben Caspit in Ma’ariv and Yoaz Hendel in Yediot Ahronot exhort their readers to take part in tomorrow’s demonstration. Israel Hayom, Maariv and Israel Radio News report that Netanyahu is willing to impose personal sanctions on draft-dodgers, one of the key demands presented by the committee that was responsible for drafting an alternative military and civilian service legislation. In Other news, Ynet reports that US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will soon pay an official visit to Israel and Egypt. Haaretz reports that Israel has warned the Lebanese government that a provocation on the border between the two countries will lead to a harsh reaction. Ynet notes that Ismail Haniyeh, the leader of Hamas in Gaza, will meet newly elected Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi in two weeks.