The BBC reports on difficulties faced by the family of a Palestinian man killed in riots by Israeli settlers in Huwara in February. The brother of Sameh al-Aqtash says the family tried twice to report his death to the Israeli authorities in the days after the killing but were turned away, and that Israeli police opened an investigation only after media reports highlighted the family’s difficulty in reporting the death.

The Daily Mirror covers the apparent execution of Israeli national and volunteer Ukrainian fighter Alexander Dubovik by Russian forces. Dubovik, who was born in Dnipro but whose family settled in Israel, was captured in the eastern Ukrainian city of Bakhmut. On his decision to return to Ukraine to fight the Russian invasion, he had said “If I don’t do this, how would I be able to look my children in the eyes?” His family paid tribute to “an amazing, open, and straightforward person. He had a strong sense of justice. He said he was fighting for Ukraine, for freedom, and against slavery.”

Reuters reports on our main story, on the detention of Jordanian MP Imad al Adwan on suspicion of smuggling weapons and gold into the West Bank. It quotes fellow MP Khalil Atiya, who has a long record of hostility to Israel, saying “There should be no room left for the enemy to harm the dignity of Jordanians by detaining and jailing a member of the parliament.”

Reuters also details Republican US Presidential hopeful Ron DeSantis’ plans to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on a visit to Israel this week. The Florida Governor’s overseas trip will take in other key US allies, including Japan, South Korea, and the UK. On CBS News’ ‘Face the Nation’ on Sunday, Netanyahu said “I’ll meet with everyone. Why not? I’ll meet with Republican governors and Democratic governors.”

The Israeli media is dominated by stories related to the upcoming Memorial Day. Kan Radio reports that commemorations will begin this evening at 20.00, with a state ceremony at Yad Labanim in Jerusalem, to be attended by bereaved families, Prime Minister Netanyahu, Knesset Speaker Ohana, Supreme Court President Hayut, and other senior state officials.

The lead-up to Memorial Day has seen many bereaved family members request that ministers who did not serve in the military stay away from commemorations. Yediot Ahronot and Haaretz report that the campaign to have ministers stay away has yielded some success, with ministers Yitzchak Goldknopf, Galit Distel Atbaryan, May Golan, Zvika Foghel, and Haim Biton all agreeing to avoid ceremonies. Goldknopf, who was due to have represented the government in Kiryat Gat, said: “Until today I wanted to be there, pay my respects to the fallen, recite a chapter from the Book of Psalms for the ascent of their souls, and speak about them and their dear families. However, there are bereaved families who are liable to be made uncomfortable by this. This would not be the case, but I prefer not to offend their sensitivities.” Public Diplomacy Minister Atbaryan, similarly, said “I have always said, and I say now: I bow my head utterly before bereaved families. For me, their request is my command. I will not attend the ceremony. I won’t cause sorrow to any parent, sibling, son or daughter from the family of bereavement. Never.”

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, however, will not heed calls to stay away and will attend a ceremony in Beersheva. Israel Hayom covers his meeting yesterday with top Police officials, to whom he gave the instruction: “Don’t clash with bereaved families.” On his own attendance, he said “Dozens of bereaved families reached out to me and asked me to come, and that is what is going to happen. I intend to go to the cemetery in Beer Sheva, to deliver a stately speech and to embrace the families.”

In an interview with Kan News, President Herzog requested that the Israeli public refrain from engaging in anti-government protests at ceremonies, and for politicians to respect the dignity of the occasion. “Believe in the country and in democracy,” he said. “We are all one people. I say now as well: take a deep breath. I say to the politicians: refrain from making provocative speeches and provocative statements.”

Maariv reports the Israeli Navy’s introduction of cutting-edge warships, providing a significant upgrade in its capabilities. Designed in part to protect Israel’s gas fields from the increased capability of Iran and its Lebanese proxy Hezbollah, the systems installed on the new warships include: Iron Dome, which has been adapted for use at sea; a long-range air defence system; and advanced electronic warfare systems.

Ynet covers reports that Israel attacked a Syrian military position close to the border overnight. According to the UK-based Observatory for Human Rights, 20-plus shell artillery barrages targeted a position held by an Iranian-backed militia affiliated with Hezbollah. In a separate incident, there were reports – denied by the Iranian press – of Iranian air defences being deployed near Isfahan, home to one of Iran’s nuclear facilities, overnight.

Yediot Ahronot details Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich’s anger at the state yesterday asking the High Court of Justice to strike from its docket a petition asking the court to instruct the state to remove the illegal Bedouin outpost of Khan al-Ahmar. The state argued that the petition should be withdrawn amid an apparent deal with residents to move to a different location, and with recent security tensions in mind. Israel Hayom cites the state’s report as explicitly fearing damage to the “Sharm process” (a reference to the recent summit held at Sharm el-Sheikh) should the removal proceed. Smotrich, however, opposes the withdrawal of the petition, and told Cabinet Secretary Yossi Fuchs that coalition agreements stipulated that he must be consulted and that the state’s response first had to be approved by him. Likud MK Danny Danon also spoke out, saying: “Leaving the outlaws at Khan al-Ahmar is a dangerous change in policy that gives tailwind to the illegal Palestinian construction rampage in Judea and Samaria. All that [is happening] while every construction violation by Jews is met with an immediate response. I call on the prime minister to yank the strange response to the High Court of Justice and to set a date for the illegal settlement’s removal. The law in Judea and Samaria cannot only be relevant to Jews.”