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Media Summary

Israeli and Palestinian representatives hold separate talks in Washington

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In the UK and international press today, Middle East coverage is focused on the attacks that took place in Syria yesterday. The papers report that the Syrian government claimed that 120 policemen were killed in an ambush by anti-regime protesters, which has increased the tension in the area and fears of a strong retaliation attacks. The Telegraph, Sky News and Reuters note that Israel accused the Syrian government of allowing protesters to go ahead with plans to approach the Israeli border, in order to divert attention from the internal protests and clashes taking place across Syria. The Independent carries a piece by Robert Fisk on the details behind the Palestinian unity deal between Fatah and Hamas. Reuters notes that UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said yesterday that the panel due to investigate the Israeli raid on a flotilla of ships bound for Gaza in May 2010 will report back their findings in July.

In the Israeli press, the papers report that the US hosted separate talks with Israeli and Palestinian officials in Washington this week, in an attempt to restart the peace process. The Jerusalem Post notes that the IDF will be on high alert for Al-Quds Day (Jerusalem Day) today and will remain in positions along the Syrian border and the West Bank in anticipation for further Palestinian protests. The Jerusalem Post and Ynetnews note that Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said yesterday that the organisers of an upcoming Gaza aid flotilla should reconsider their plans due to an improved situation in Gaza. Haaretz and the Jerusalem Post report on a suspected ‘price tag’ attack in Maghayer village near Ramallah. An initial investigation by police has indicated that in the early morning hours a mosque was vandalized with graffiti and rugs were set on fire.