Both the Independent and the Times run stories this morning in their print editions covering vandalism perpetrated against a monastery at Latrun, believed to be a ‘price tag’ attack carried out by right-wing Jewish extremists in response to the evacuation of the West Bank outpost of Migron. In addition, the Times has a feature on the revival of popularity of the kibbutz movement in Israel. Online, UK media coverage of the Middle East remains dominated by events in Syria. A UN report that notes more tan 100,000 refugees have fled the country in the last month is widely covered. Meanwhile, the Telegraph reports online threats by Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah in Lebanon that Iran will retaliate against the US as well as Israeli targets in the event of an Israeli attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities. Julian Borger in the Guardian blog notes that the threat of such an attack appears to be receding, claiming that Netanyahu demanding the US set ‘red lines’ for Iran is an indication that he is looking to back away from recent statements indicating Israeli readiness to launch an strike . BBC Online reports that judges investigating the death of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat are seeking to travel to Ramallah to probe allegations he was poisoned.

The Israeli media widely reports on the ‘price tag’ vandalism at the Latrun monastery, which has been condemned by politicians across the spectrum. Israeli Channel 2 News last night covered the visit of senior police officers that expressed their sorrow at the incident. The Israeli media also widely reports on the opening of the sentencing hearing for Ehud Olmert. The hearing has potential political significance, in that if the courts decide that his crime does not involve ‘moral turpitude,’ the way would be clear for Olmert to return to politics. Israeli policy maker’s deliberations over Iran also continue to receive widespread coverage, including yesterday’s lengthy security cabinet briefing with intelligence heads, and reports over the dialogue between Israel and the US to try and reach an agreed position on the issue. Yediot Ahronot reports that Netanyahu has been toning down his statements with regard to Iran in response to US assurances that Obama will set ‘red-lines’ for Iran on its nuclear programme. The paper also reports on yesterday’s security cabinet briefing with intelligence chiefs in which ministers were shown how far the Iranians had advanced in their programme, and lists of sanctions that have not yet been taken against Iran. Meanwhile, Maariv has reports on its front page on the situation of illegal migrants who are being prevented from entering Israel from the Sinai by the IDF.  Haaretz reports that decision time is approaching for Netanyahu’s coalition partners about whether to back his 2013 budget proposals, or to leave the coalition and trigger elections. Slowing economic growth is requiring the government to cut the budget, and elections will have to take place in any event by October 2013. The Jerusalem Post carries a front page story reporting that the Democratic convention in the US has dropped language from its platform affirming Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. Ynet online carries a report from AFP that Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has admitted Iran is having trouble selling its oil, and a report from Reuters that Egypt has decided to replace tanks deployed in the Sinai with APCs, following Israeli concerns. Times of Israel notes an Israel Channel 2 News report indicating that Russia may be losing confidence in President Assad in Syria, telling its citizens to leave the country, and denying his requests for arms