Both the Independent and its sister publication Independent i this morning publish reports on an announcement by Israel’s Defence Minister Ehud Barak to issue army call-up papers to around 15,000 Ultra-Orthodox teenagers who have until now been exempt from military service, as they are studying in religious seminaries. Earlier this year, Israel’s High Court ruled that the blanket exemption for Ultra-Orthodox youth, which has been in place since the early days of the state, is unconstitutional. This issue is hugely important to Israel’s fast growing Ultra-Orthodox community, which has pledged to prevent the mass draft.   Meanwhile, the Scotsman publishes an analysis of Israel’s upcoming elections, predicting that Benjamin Netanyahu is likely to win another term in office. The article notes that Netanyahu is expected to place security issues at the forefront of the campaign.

The online edition of the Telegraph includes a blog post by Rev Dr Peter Mullen, who argues that Israel is facing numerous security threats and that possible Israeli military action against Iran should not be dependent on permission from the international community. Also online at the Telegraph, there is a report on Iran’s response to a new set of European Union sanctions adopted against Tehran on Monday. An Iranian spokesman described the measures as “inhumane.”

Both the Independent and Independent i report that the United States’ Ambassador to the United Nations has accused Iran and Hezbollah of playing an increasing role in supporting President Assad’s regime during the ongoing violent Syrian conflict, in an attempt to keep Assad in power.  Meanwhile, the Telegraph online claims that the United Nations and Arab League peace envoy to Syria, Lakhdar Brahimi, has persuaded Assad’s government to agree in principle to a four-day ceasefire at the end of this month.

The Israeli media includes a range of election campaign news. Most prominently, Maariv, Haaretz, Israel Hayom and Makor Rishon report an announcement yesterday by the State Attorney’s Office that they intend to appeal at least one of the acquittals recently granted to former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert. The announcement was reportedly made now to avoid any suggestion of interference in the election campaign, although the re-opening of the ‘Talansky affair’ case that is being suggested would throw Olmert’s possible candidature in the upcoming election into grave doubt.

In other election news, Yediot Ahronot reports that Benjamin Netanyahu is taking steps in advance of the upcoming party primaries, to reduce the influence of Moshe Feiglin, the leader of the Jewish Leadership faction within the Likud Party. Feiglin previously challenged Netanyahu for the leadership of the party.  Meanwhile, Maariv reports that Yair Lapid, the leader of new party Yesh Atid, is set to present his foreign policy platform at the Ariel University Centre. The report speculates that Lapid will declare his support for retaining major settlement blocs under a peace agreement with the Palestinians in an attempt to appeal to centre-right voters.

In other news, Israel Radio News reports this morning that a barrage of rockets was fired on southern Israel from Gaza last night. No injuries were reported, but a property sustained damage. In response, the Israel Air Force struck a terrorist base in the northern Gaza Strip.