The Telegraph, Guardian and Financial Times all report that the Knesset passed into law a controversial bill which supporters say is intended to increase the transparency of Israeli NGOs funded largely by foreign governments. The new law mandates that NGOs which receive more than half of their funding from foreign governments, must state as such on all official documents. Critics, including opposition leaders in the Knesset, say that the law specifically targets left-leaning human rights NGOs, which typically oppose government policy. The Financial Times and Guardian quote the European Union (EU), which expressed concerns that the legislation “risks undermining” Israeli democratic values.

The online editions of the Guardian and Telegraph cover controversy in Israel over the appointment of Eyal Krim as the new IDF chief rabbi. Krim is accused of having a history of misogynistic comments, appearing to suggest that women should not be allowed to serve in the IDF. Meretz leader Zahava Galon is quoted opposing his appointment, while Yesh Atid leader Yair Lapid is quoted in the Telegraph online saying that Krim must publicly clarify his comments.

The Guardian online also claims that a report by EU Heads of Mission over the situation on the ground in Israel and the Palestinian areas of the West Bank has been “kept secret” by EU officials, after it was highly critical of Israel and called for more action to combat settlement construction.

The i includes an article which says that Hezbollah has been damaged by its staunch support for Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad. It says that Hezbollah has polarised support in Lebanon, while the terror group itself has lost at least one thousand fighters in the Syrian Civil War, including some of the group’s founders.

The Financial Times online reports that Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammed Zarif has said that Saudi Arabia is tied to “terrorists” after Prince Tuki al-Farsid addressed the organised exiled Iranian opposition group MEK in Paris. The spat underscores the tension between the two countries vying for regional influence.

In the Israeli media, the controversial appointment of the new chief IDF rabbi, Eyal Krim, continues to be a major item in Yediot Ahronot, Maariv, Haaretz and Israel Hayom. Following revelations over past comments he has made about women, it is reported that Krim has also made disparaging remarks about homosexuality and the treatment of injured terrorists. Israel Radio news reports that Krim will be summoned to provide clarifications to IDF’s Director of Human Resources. However, Zionist Union MK Nachman Shai is quoted saying that Krim’s candidacy should be withdrawn.

The top story in Israel Hayom, which is also reported prominently by Maariv and Israel Radio this morning, is a US Senate subcommittee report, which says that the US State Department allocated money to the One Voice organisation, which in turn gave funds to the V15 movement in Israel, which campaigned vigorously against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during last year’s election. Likud Minister Ze’ev Elkin is quoted saying that the report shows blatant intervention in Israel’s democratic process. However, Israel Radio news says the report concluded that the State Department unknowingly indirectly gave funds to V15, but should have more closely monitored the process.

Israel Radio news covers comments made by IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot marking the ten year anniversary since the Second Lebanon War. He said that quiet had been maintained along the northern border since then, due to IDF force and quality intelligence.