The Times covers controversy in Israel over expenses at Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s official residence, as it was widely publicised over the weekend that an excessive alcohol bill was regularly recorded. Tzipi Livni, who co-heads the Zionist Camp electoral ticket, which is looking to unseat Netanyahu is quoted saying that the bill is equivalent to the average monthly salary for around one million Israeli workers. The latest revelation comes soon after Netanyahu’s wife was accused of having ordered staff to meticulously collect the empty bottles from official functions and return them to collect deposits which she then kept. The financial controversies are widely viewed in the context of Israel’s upcoming general election.

The Metro includes a photograph with accompanying caption of the grieving mother of a 20-year-old Palestinian man who was killed over the weekend by Israeli security forces in the West Bank after he had hurled petrol bombs.

The Independent reports that information was leaked over the weekend which revealed that the CIA as well as Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency planned and carried out out the assassination of Hezbollah arch-terrorist Imad Mughniyeh in 2008. An analysis in the Independent by Fernande Van Tets says that the timing of the leak may have been designed to warn Hezbollah, following its attack on Israeli forces last week that real retaliation for Mughniyeh’s killing would require acting against the United States, which would have very serious consequences. Van Tets also says that the leak is being interpreted in Israel as a reminder by Washington to Israel that it needs the United States.

Meanwhile, the Independent and Independent i both report that in Syria’s capital Damascus, at least six Lebanese Shi’ite pilgrims were killed yesterday in a suicide bomb by Islamist rebel group Jabhat al-Nusra.

A Guardian editorial comments on the plight of Syria’s millions of refugees and calls on the government to do much more to give them refuge. It says that Britain’s proud history of protecting the persecuted is becoming “no more than history.”

The Independent online covers a Chatham House survey which indicates that Britons feel more negatively about Israel than they do about Iran. However, the survey was conducted during Operation Protective Edge, which may have skewed opinions.

The Independent online also reports that a cartoon competition is taking place in Iran, themed on depicting Holocaust denial. It has reportedly been organised as a response to the publication of cartoons depicting Mohammed by Charlie Hebdo.

In the Israeli media, various allegations of financial impropriety take centre stage. Yediot Ahronot and Haaretz both lead with the apparent impending publication of a long-awaited report into Prime Minister Netanyahu’s travel arrangements during his time as Finance Minister. It is alleged that travel costs for his family were subsidised by foreign organisations and individuals, against regulations. Both Maariv and Haaretz say that the Attorney General yesterday summoned the State Comptroller to ask about the status of the report. Maariv says that the Attorney General may also recommend a criminal enquiry into Netanyahu’s wife over what has become known as the “bottlegate” affair.

Meanwhile, Israel Hayom focuses on allegations made yesterday by senior Likud MKs that the Zionist Camp is linked to the V15 (victory in 2015) organisation, which is working to end Netanyahu’s time in power. It is alleged that V15 is funded by a non-profit called One Voice, which receives funds from foreign individuals and bodies. The Likud MKs said that Zionist Camp’s links mean it has infringed campaign regulations which forbid foreign funding.

Israel Radio news reports that Prime Minister Netanyahu spoke yesterday with United Nations (UN) Secretary Ban Ki-moon and accused UN peacekeepers in south Lebanon of failing to prevent Hezbollah from importing weapons in violation of UN resolutions.