The UK’s media coverage on Israel is today dominated by the broad, if not total acquittal of former Israeli Prime Minister Olmert. The Daily Telegraph states that “Olmert eyes return to office after being cleared of fraud”. The Financial Times notes this has been “one of the longest running political scandals in Israeli history.” The Independent that Olmert was found guilty of breach of trust, but also assesses that he “sees chance for return to power”. The Times appears to break rank with the other papers, stating in its headline, “Former leader faces jail after conviction for deception”. They do also quote a smiling Olmert declaring “there is justice in Jerusalem”, as he was acquitted on the two more serious charges and downplayed his conviction as “procedural misconduct”. The Times also includes an obituary for Zvi Aharoni who as a member of Mossad first identified Adolf Eichmann in Argentina and helped bring him to trial in Israel, but lived in relative anonymity in a village in Devon. BBC online covers the Egyptian court’s decision to overrule the newly elected President decision to restoring parliament after it was dissolved by the military. BBC online also follows UN envoy Kofi Annan as he engages with Iran and Iraq over Syria, while the Daily Telegraph reports on Russia sending “flotilla of warships to Syria”, in support of Assad.

The Israeli media is today dominated by comment and opinion on yesterday’s ruling, which acquitted former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert of most charges brought against him. Yediot Ahronot criticises the lead prosecutor from the State Attorney’s Office, while Maariv goes further referring to the office as “arrogant, rapacious and cocky.” Despite their criticism, both paper highlight the importance of the State Prosecutor to Israeli democracy. Maariv does suggest that “a conspiracy was woven to oust the prime minister of Israel. This was a judicial coup d’tat”. All the papers note the enormous amount of supportive sentiments Olmert received yesterday and suggest that if he is also acquitted from another mending affair there remains the possibility of a return to politics. Haaretz leads on the warm conversation Olmert had with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas yesterday who called to congratulate him. Yediot Ahronot and Haaretz include an AP report from the trial in Kenya of two Iranians accused of smuggling large amounts of explosives. Israel Radio notes the comments of outgoing Egyptian Ambassador to Israel who said “the peace treaty is stronger than ever, and can withstand the storms around us.” Haaretz also note the continued negotiations between Kadima and Likud over the proposed legislation to include ultra-Orthodox in a military or civilian draft.