In the UK media, there is broad coverage of US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s visit to Israel. The Financial Times focuses on Clinton’s efforts “to ease Israel’s fears over Tehran’s nuclear plans”. Similarly, the Independent headline reads: “Talk to Egypt, and trust us on Iran: Clinton’s plea for patience in Jerusalem”. The London Evening Standard also cover Clinton’s visit, suggesting this could be her last visit in her current capacity as she does not intend to continue in the post even if US President Barack Obama is re-elected. The Daily Telegraph reports on the diplomatic efforts of the US to reassure Israel whilst the US navy deploys a second aircraft carrier to the Gulf to strengthen its forces surrounding Iran. BBC online speaks to “the most senior Syrian politician to defect to the opposition”, Nawaf Fares, a former ambassador to Iraq. Fares told BBC that Assad is “ready to use chemical weapons” to maintain control. The Guardian notes 40 Palestinians from Gaza visited relatives in Israeli prisons yesterday. This was part of the agreement that ended the prisoners’ hunger strike earlier this year.

In the Israeli media all the papers discuss US Secretary of State Clinton’s visit. Haaretz highlights her statement that “It’s absolutely fair to say that we are on the same page at this moment trying to figure our way forward to have the maximum impact on affecting the decisions that Iran makes.” Both Yediot Ahronot and Maariv focus on her comments that Jonathan Pollard, imprisoned in the US for over 25 years on charges of espionage, will remain in prison all his life. Following the self-immolation on Saturday night, Israel Hayom notes others are looking to copy the act. A vote will be taken today by the Council of Higher Education to decide whether Ariel college will be recognised as a university. This is covered prominently in Maariv, Israel Hayom and Haaretz. Haaretz also covers the exposure by the Israel Security Service of a Palestinian terror cell planning to kidnap IDF soldiers. The plan by members of the PFLP was apparently to use the soldiers to bargain for the release of Marwan Barghouti. Some of the suspects were residents of Hizme just north of Jerusalem. Yediot Ahronot covers a large rally by ultra-Orthodox Jews in Jerusalem, opposing the proposed change in the law regarding the military draft. Haaretz covers the continued tension in the coalition and Kadima’s threat to quit the government if there is no progress in advancing legislation on the draft. All the papers also continue to follow events in Syria. Haaretz and the Jerusalem Post report that the Ministry of Defence is looking to legalise an unauthorised outpost by incorporating it into the nearby community of Mehola.