Media Summary
Wife of assassinated Saudi journalist reveals spying campaign
The Financial Times reports on the growing scandal surrounding Riad Salameh, who led Lebanon’s central bank for three decades. He became one of the country’s most recognisable figures. However, last week police were unable to locate him after a judge ordered he brought in over allegations of corruption and misconduct.
The Independent reports on the attempted plot to spy on Hanan El-Atr, the wife of slain Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. El-Atr describes to the paper how spyware on her phone allowed her husband’s enemies to track his movements.
Reuters reports that as talks over the revival of the JCPOA near, Iran has indicated its willingness to negotiate a prisoner exchange with the US. An Iranian official told Reuters: “Iran has always and repeatedly expressed its readiness to exchange prisoners. Months ago we were ready to do it, but the Americans ruined the deal.”
Haaretz reports the decision yesterday of a Jerusalem court to suspend the evacuation of a Palestinian family from their home in the Sheikh Jarrah. The paper notes, “the eviction order for the Salem family’s house, which belonged to a Jewish family before 1948, stoked tensions in the area, where residents accuse Jewish settler groups of trying to push Palestinians out. Police sources and other officials believed the evacuation of the 11 family members could have reignited violence in Jerusalem. Police were particularly concerned over the timing of the planned eviction, close to Ramadan, which starts this year in early April.”
Maariv covers the latest friction inside the coalition. Blue and White have said the party will not vote with the coalition until progress is made in the Knesset on a bill to increase the number of Citizen Administration officials, the military draft bill is introduced for its second and third readings, and the Knesset votes on a bill that addresses career soldier’s pensions and a programme for university studies for veterans. While Yediot Ahronot notes Eli Avidar, the Yisrael Beiteinu rebel, has resigned as Minister without portfolio and will return to the Knesset. He formally remains a member of the Yisrael Beiteinu faction and the coalition will be counting on him as the 61st member.
Ynet reports that according to Syrian sources, earlier this morning Israel fired several surface-to-surface missiles toward southern Syrian military positions causing material damage. According to an unnamed Syrian military official, the missiles were fired from the Golan Heights and struck areas around the nearby town of Quneitra.
Kan Radio News reports that a 14-year-old Palestinian boy was shot dead by IDF troops outside El-Khader near Bethlehem while throwing a firebomb at an Israeli vehicle. Several firebombs have been thrown recently at the same spot. Palestinian Authority officials condemned the incident and described it as an execution. Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Shtayyeh said the boy was yet another victim of organised Israeli terrorism.
In a reversal of positions, Channel 12 News suggests the Likud is planning a bill that stop government announcements from being reproduced in the written press. The bill is aimed at Israel Hayom that has traditionally supported former Prime Minister Netanyahu, but has recently change its editorial line. Maariv also notes that a number of critical articles have recently appeared against Netanyahu, and in addition, editor Boaz Bismuth, who is identified as a supporter of Netanyahu, has resigned.