Events in Syria continue to dominate Middle East related coverage in the UK media today. Most papers report on the continuing crackdown in the country and the hardening international stance. The Times notes concerns that Turkey will be drawn into action against Syria, because of the refugee crisis on the Syrian-Turkish border. The Financial Times and City-AM note intensifying calls for a boycott of the regime’s oil exports. The Daily Telegraph, Independent, Times, Reuters, BBC Online and Sky News Online report on the trial of former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, due to begin today. In other items, the Guardian and BBC Online have pieces on the continuing social unrest in Israel. The Daily Telegraph runs a piece arguing that the British government should now place pressure on the Palestinian Authority, in light of indications that the government of Israel is prepared to negotiate on the basis outlined by US President Barack Obama in his speech in May.

In the Israeli media, the print editions of Haaretz, the Jerusalem Post and Israel Hayom continue to focus on the social protests in Israel. Haaretz leads with Prime Minister Netanyahu’s plans to bring a housing bill to a vote in the Knesset, and the protesters’ opposition to this. The Jerusalem Post leads with the presentation of the protesters’ demands to the prime minister. Israel Hayom leads with details of the protesters’ demands on the issue of education. Haaretz notes a statement by the Commander of Israeli Naval Intelligence regarding concerns that Hezbollah and Hamas could strike at Israeli ports and oil rigs in a future war. The paper also notes intensifying industrial action by doctors in Israel, and the hardening international stance toward the Assad regime in Syria. The Jerusalem Post and Ynetnews also report on international moves to condemn the repression in Syria. The Jerusalem Post has additional pieces on the statements by Israeli officials that Israel will now accept the 1967 borders as a basis for negotiations with the Palestinians, and efforts by the EU to induce the Palestinian Authority to soften its stance regarding its expected bid for recognition of a unilateral declaration of statehood at the UN in September. Israel Hayom notes claims that a recent explosion in Beirut was part of an attempt on the life of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. The paper also notes a statement by Netanyahu to the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee that he has reached a written agreement with the Obama administration according to which Israel would not be required to return to the 1967 borders in any future peace deal with the Palestinians. Israel Hayom also notes a statement by UN forces in Lebanon that Israeli troops did not cross the border with Lebanon prior to a shooting incident on the border this week. Maariv reports on the upcoming trial of former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak.