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Media Summary

Leaked documents reveal UK involvement in PA anti-militant plan

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The main item of Israel related coverage in the UK media today is the release of new papers leaked from the Palestinian Authority, which appear to show Britain’s intelligence service drawing up a plan on behalf of the PA in 2004 for a crackdown on Hamas in the West Bank and Gaza. In other items, the Guardian has a piece noting statements by Palestinian refugees rejecting compromises on their “right of return.” The paper also has an opinion piece arguing that the leaked papers have “broken a taboo,” and a piece by Hamas official Osama Hamdan on the leaks. The Guardian also has profiles of former IDF Chief of Staff and Kadima politician Shaul Mofaz, and Fatah politician Mohammed Dahlan. The Independent, Financial Times, Scotsman and BBC Online have additional coverage of the leaks and their implications. The Guardian publishes a letter by novelist Ian McEwan arguing against those who demanded that he support a boycott of Israel and refuse to accept a literary prize in Israel. The Guardian, Daily Telegraph, Independent, Scotsman, Reuters, BBC Online and Sky News Online have details of the latest events in Lebanon, and the appointment of Hezbollah-approved new prime minister Najib Mikati. The Financial Times runs an article on the current impasse in talks with Iran over its nuclear programme, and quotes IDF Military Intelligence Chief Aviv Kohavi on his fears that Iran could produce a nuclear bomb within two years.  The Daily Telegraph has an obituary for Sonya Peres, the recently deceased wife of President Shimon Peres. 

In the Israeli media, all papers focus on the leaked Palestinian papers. Haaretz and the Jerusalem Post report on new details of PA security cooperation with Israel. Ynetnews notes the claim of Britain’s intelligence service authoring a plan for a crackdown on Hamas in 2004. Haaretz also notes that the papers indicate that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu agreed not to link Jerusalem with Ma’aleh Adumim. All papers note the appointment of Najib Mikati as prime minister-designate in Lebanon. The Jerusalem Post reports that Ireland has upgraded the Palestinian representation in Dublin to embassy status, but has not recognised a Palestinian state. Haaretz reports that prosecutors may drop bribery charges against Foreign Minister Lieberman. Most papers note clashes in Cairo between antigovernment protesters and Egyptian police, which reports indicate have left at least four dead. Ynetnews notes the arrests of former security aides to ousted Lebanese prime minister Saad Hariri. Ynetnews also has a piece on Arab citizens of Israel who oppose any plans to have their villages included in a future Palestinian state. Maariv notes that the State Comptroller’s Office is due to rule today on the dispute surrounding claims of improper land use by the IDF’s designated next Chief of Staff, Major General Yoav Galant.