The main item of Israel related coverage in the UK media today is the unveiling by Israel of the Iron Dome antimissile system. The Guardian and Sky News Online note a video released by the Israel Defence Forces on the system and its functioning. In other items, several papers note the intensifying protests in Syria. The Independent and Times note the sealing of the town of Banias amid fears of a major crackdown by the regime. The Financial Times examines Israeli views on the current regional unrest. The Guardian has a piece by Patrick Seale arguing that if the Assad regime falls, it would cause the collapse of broader alliances in the Middle East. The paper also has an obituary of Juliano Mer-Khamis, the Israeli actor murdered last week. The Times has a letter by a researcher regarding the unavailability of certain official British papers from the Palestine Mandate period. Reuters speaks to a Syrian Muslim Brotherhood leader concerning the unrest in Syria. The Times also reports that an inquiry into fraud allegations against Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman is nearing conclusion, and an indictment may be issued against him. The Guardian has an item on the expansion in Israel studies at the School of African and Oriental Studies in London. 

In the Israeli media, Haaretz reports that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is considering a unilateral redeployment of forces in the West Bank. Haaretz and the Jerusalem Post note reports that Iran is to build additional nuclear research reactors. The papers also quote officials who consider that the renewed calm between Israel and Hamas-controlled Gaza may be short-lived. Ynetnews reports the death of a student in a rally in Damascus, and has an additional piece on the Iron Dome system, and an article noting Netanyahu’s support for renewed construction in Itamar.