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Media Summary

Obama says upcoming IAEA report on Iran ‘a critical moment’

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In the UK and international media today, several papers report on rising tensions involving Iran’s nuclear ambitions and efforts by the US and international community to prevent the country from reaching nuclear capabilities. The Guardian reports that a covert war has already started on Iran’s nuclear programme. Reuters notes that the US Administration says that the IAEA report on Iran’s nuclear programme to be released next week will be a critical moment to assess Iran’s nuclear capabilities. The Independent reports on a poll conducted that shows Israelis fear that a missile attack on Iran would bring about war with Hamas and Hezbollah in the region. Meanwhile, the Telegraph reports that Israel conducted a drill simulating a mass-casualty missile attack in a central city yesterday. The Guardian notes that Israel froze its funding to UNESCO following the organisation’s acceptance of the Palestinian Authority as a member. The paper also carries an article by Desmond Tutu and Michael Mansfield calling for a truth and reconciliation process for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The Guardian and the Independent report on the Bedouin tribes in southern Israel. The Scotsman reports that Israel is withholding £62 million in tax payments to the Palestinian Authority (PA) in response to the acceptance of the PA to UNESCO earlier this week. In other news, the Independent and the Financial Times note that nine people were killed by Syrian forces which took place following the agreed upon peace proposal between the Arab League and the Syrian government. The Telegraph notes that an insurgent army in Syria, that is being coordinated in Turkey, is preparing to take on Syrian President Bashar Assad.

In the Israeli press, Haaretz and the Jerusalem Post front pages carry an image of the chemical weapon attack drill that took place in the central city of Holon yesterday. The Jerusalem Post notes that the Histadrut (Trade Union) is threatening to hold a general strike on Monday over a disagreement of the employment status of public sector contract workers. The Jerusalem Post noted that US President Barack Obama said yesterday that the international community must maintain “unprecedented pressure” on Iran and its nuclear programme plans.

In other news, Haaretz notes that a new series of flotillas that aim to breach the navy blockade in Gaza is being planned. The papers also note that Israel froze its annual contribution to the UNESCO organisation after the body accepted the Palestinian Authority as a new member.