In the UK and international papers today, the Guardian and BBC Online report that Israel has deployed security personnel at its international airport to deal with an expected a mass fly-in of pro-Palestinian protesters. The Telegraph reports that leaks from a UN report on the Mavi Marmara raid last year revealed that the maritime blockade of Gaza is legal but that Israel used excessive force in boarding the ship. In other news, Reuters and BBC Online report that Syria condemned the visit of Robert Ford, the US ambassador to Syria, to the city of Hama on Thursday, claiming that it was “obvious proof” of US involvement in continuing protests in the country.

In the Israeli press, Haaretz notes that the Israeli police are decreasing the security at Ben Gurion International Airport as reports came in that fewer than expected pro-Palestinian protesters will arrive in Israel. The Jerusalem Post notes that the Interior Ministry warned European airlines to keep protesters off the flights, as they would not be permitted into Israel. Ynetnews reports that two US citizens participating in the mass fly-in were deported from Ben Gurion Airport after they landed earlier this morning from Greece. In other news, the release of a UN report investigating the Gaza flotilla incident last May has been delayed in order to allow Israel and Turkey to continue talks to mend bilateral relations.  Haaretz and the Jerusalem Post note that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made a quick visit to Romania and Bulgaria in order to gather support against the Palestinian statehood vote at the UN in September. Haaretz reports that Israel is expected to recognise South Sudan as an independent state in the coming weeks.