The Financial Times this morning includes a report on the Labour Party’s social agenda in Israel’s upcoming election. The article describes attempts by the party to place social and economic concerns as the central campaign issue, noting that several of the prominent leaders of the summer 2011 social protests are now Labour Party Knesset candidates. The report speculates that although the joint Likud-Beitenu list headed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is likely to form the next government, the Labour Party is interested in positioning itself prominently ahead of the next election.

The Independent and its sister publication Independent i focus on Naftali Bennett, the leader of the right-wing Jewish Home party, which has increased in popularity over the past several weeks and is predicted to become a significant coalition partner in the next government. The article describes Bennett as a “slick, smooth” orator focused on domestic and economic issues, but “light on detail” when it comes to foreign policy.

Meanwhile, the ongoing conflict in Syria continues to be in the headlines. Both the Independent and the Telegraph online report continued western concerns over Syria’s chemical stockpile. The Telegraph report online says that the Pentagon believes President Assad has the ability to launch chemical weapons at two hours notice. The Independent adds that Sir David Richards, head of the British military has recently raised concerns on the issue in Whitehall and notes Israeli fears that chemical weapons could find their way into the hands of Hezbollah in neighbouring Lebanon. The Financial Times suggests that there are concerns in the United States that Syria also has possession of around fifty tonnes of un-enriched uranium, which militant groups or even Iran might attempt to seize. The online edition of the Guardian details new figures released by the United Nations which estimates that approximately 100,000 refugees left Syria within the last month and that its World Food Programme is unable to deliver food to up to one million hungry Syrians due to the ongoing fighting.

In Israel, most headlines focus on the extreme weather conditions that have caused disruption throughout the country. Maariv says that the storm has cost around half a billion shekels in damage. Israel Hayom calls it a “Mega Winter,” while Haaretz, Yediot Ahronot and Makor Rishon also detail injuries sustained by residents, evacuations carried out in some parts of Israel due to flooding and the paralysis of sections of the country’s transport network.

Both Maariv and Makor Rishon report that the leaders of the joint Likud-Beitenu list are hoping to announce ahead of this month’s election that they plan to appoint Moshe Kahlon as housing minister in the next government. Kahlon served as a Likud communications minister and is considered a popular figure both inside the Likud Party and beyond. However, he decided not to run as a candidate in this month’s elections and to take a break from politics. Meanwhile, Israel Radio News reports that voting will begin this evening in Israeli embassies and missions around the world.

It is also reported on Israel Radio News that Egyptian President Mohammed Mursi will meet with Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas and Hamas Political Bureau Director Khaled Mashaal in Cairo today, in an attempt to advance the reconciliation between the Palestinian Fatah and Hamas factions.