The main item of Israel related coverage in the UK media today is the rocket attacks from Gaza over the weekend, and Israel’s response. The Guardian, Independent, Times, Financial Times, Reuters and BBC Online have coverage of the attacks and attempts to reach a ceasefire. In other items, the Daily Telegraph notes a statement by Syrian President Bashar Assad questioning whether the opposition represents the Syrian people, and runs a piece expressing hope that the Assad regime will soon fall. The paper, along with the Financial Times, also notes the Palestinian push for UNESCO membership. The Independent runs an additional piece on the jailing of Anat Kamm, a former IDF soldier who leaked classified information, and the paper has a piece on a Saudi prince who has offered a reward for the kidnap of Israeli soldiers. The Times notes Syrian opposition demands that the Arab League freeze Syria’s membership. The Scotsman, Metro-London, Daily Express, notes Assad’s statement that any western intervention in Syria would cause a regional ‘earthquake.’ Reuters notes an Arab League plan to end the uprising in Syria. Sky News Online, meanwhile, has a piece quoting Assad’s latest remarks, in which he now expresses a willingness to speak with the opposition.

Over the weekend, the main item of Israel related coverage in the UK media was the statement by Syrian President Bashar Assad in an interview that western intervention in Syria would lead to an ‘earthquake’ in the region. The Sunday Telegraph, Observer, Sunday Times, Reuters, BBC Online and Sky News Online all noted Assad’s comments. In other items, the Observer reviewed a new book about the Arab world. The Independent on Saturday noted criticisms of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu voiced by Dov Weisglass, a former senior adviser to Ariel Sharon. The Sunday Times ran a piece on El Al plans to guard planes with a laser shield. The Sunday Times, Reuters and BBC Online reported on the rocket fire from Gaza and Israel’s response over the weekend. The Sunday Express noted that a Conservative MP was subjected to anti-Semitic and homophobic abuse while giving a surgery in a London mosque. The Guardian on Saturday published a letter critical of a recent article in the paper on the deal that free Gilad Shalit. The Independent on Saturday noted a meeting between President Shimon Peres and former Seinfeld actor Jason Alexander. The Daily Telegraph on Saturday noted claims that senior Palestinian negotiator avoided shaking Tony Blair’s hand this week and denial of this by a member of Blair’s staff.

The print editions of all Israeli papers have front page stories on the rocket attacks in the south over the weekend. The Jerusalem Post and Israel Hayom have front-page stories on the sentencing of Anat Kamm. Haaretz has a lead story quoting UN Envoy Robert Serry on the possible dismantling of the Palestinian Authority.

In the Israeli media, all papers focus on the rocket attacks on the south and Israel’s response. All papers also note the sentencing of Anat Kamm. Haaretz has a piece on the Palestinian UNESCO bid, and quotes from UN Envoy Robert Serry, who cautions Israel against dismissing Palestinian threats to dismantle the PA. Ynetnews notes a visit by Arab Israeli Knesset member Ahmed Tibi to Fatah Tanzim leader and convicted terrorist Marwan Barghouti in jail. Maariv website is reporting additional rocket attacks and an Israeli air attack on targets in southern Gaza overnight.