There are several items in the UK media this morning that focus on Israeli settlements in the West Bank. The Guardian online reports that Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is likely to bring a cabinet vote to adopt sections of the Levy Report on the legal status of West Bank settlements. Netanyahu commissioned the report, which was released in July. Although the vote would apparently ignore the Report’s conclusion, that Israel is not an occupying force in the West Bank, the Guardian says that Netanyahu will look to satisfy the right-wing of his Likud Party with a cabinet vote on practicalities such as legalisation of outposts and building permits.

Meanwhile, Reuters UK reports that an Israeli planning committee has given permission for the construction of 797 housing units in Gilo, an area that was officially annexed by Israel and is part of the Jerusalem Municipality. However, the Palestinians claim it is occupied land and construction in the area has previously been criticised by the international community, including the United States. The Financial Times includes an analysis piece focusing on the diplomatic impact of Israeli settlements and speculation that their evacuation would cause a deep rift in Israeli society. An additional analysis can be found in the online edition of the Financial Times, which focuses on the impact of so-called ‘price tag’ attacks, thought to be carried out by those vehemently opposed to limits placed on West Bank settlements.

The Telegraph, Financial Times, Independent and Independent i all publish reviews of a new film, “5 Broken Cameras”, a documentary that tells the story of the Palestinian village of Bil’in, which became the scene of weekly and often violent protests against Israel’s security barrier. In other news, the Times, Independent and its sister publication the Independent i report on the first in-depth interview with Gilad Shalit, the former Israeli soldier who was held captive by Hamas for five years and was freed one year ago in exchange for over 1,000 Palestinian prisoners. In the interview on Israel’s Channel Ten, Shalit spoke of his fear that he would never be released and revealed that his love of sport helped give him a focus to get through each day.

Both the Metro and Evening Standard report that Iran’s Revolutionary Guard has warned of a fierce retaliation should Israel strike its nuclear facilities. Meanwhile, the online edition of the Times reports that the Revolutionary Guard is profiteering from Iran’s beleaguered economy and that although basic goods such as meat, flour and rice are still readily available, some vital medicines are in short supply and can only be purchased privately.

The online editions of the Times, Telegraph, Independent and Financial Times all report on the ongoing violence in Syria, in particular a strike by Syrian government jets that reportedly killed at least 49 people in opposition-held towns in the north of the country. The Independent online also reports on tensions within Syrian President Assad’s own ruling Alawite community.

In Israel, the media headlines focus on the aftermath of Shas’ leadership agreement. Although the arrangement allows Aryeh Deri and Eli Yishai to share the leadership of the party, Yediot Ahronot, Maariv, Haaretz and Israel Hayom all report on the underlying tensions between the two protagonists. Maariv reviews the historic rivalry between the two leaders, while Yediot Ahronot claims that there is disagreement over the focus of the Shas campaign, with Yishai keen to emphasise his policies to curb foreign workers while Deri wishes to focus on social issues.

In other election campaign news, Maariv reports on the announcement of a merger between the two religious Zionist parties, the National Union and Habayit Yehudi (Jewish home). Michael Ben-Ari and Aryeh Eldad, considered to be the two most extreme National Union MKs will reportedly not be part of the new party. Meanwhile, Yediot Ahronot reports that Yisrael Beiteinu will not hold primaries, but will instead allow a committee appointed by party chairman Avigdor Lieberman to select its list of parliamentary candidates. Israel Radio News reports that Kadima’s Central Committee voted overwhelmingly for a similar arrangement whereby an appointed committee will draw up the party’s list of candidates.

Away from the elections, Israel Hayom and Maariv report on preparations for a massive Home Front Command drill on Sunday, which will simulate the aftermath of an earthquake causing 7,000 casualties.