fbpx

Media Summary

Biden addresses J Street conference

[ssba]

The Guardian and i cover US Vice President Joe Biden’s speech at the annual conference of pro-Peace lobby group J Street. Mr Biden criticised both Israel and the Palestinian Authority, claiming Israel is moving in the wrong direction towards a “one-state reality” but that Palestinian leaders have not done enough to condemn terror.

The Times and Daily Mirror reveal that a report by the Public Accounts Committee shows that the Department for International Development does not have a “full understanding” of how UK aid money is spent. The articles note that UK aid money has been paid to Palestinians suspected of terrorism.

The i and BBC news report that the killer of Palestinian teen Mohammed abu-Khdair has been convicted of murder by an Israeli court. Yosef Hayim ben-David’s insanity plea was rejected by the court, and his two accomplices had already been convicted and sentenced.

The Financial Times previews US President Barack Obama’s visit to Saudi Arabia, noting that US-Saudi relations have deteriorated under the Obama presidency. The FT suggests that the trip is a chance to repair and recast the relationship.

A brief piece in the Times reports on a rally held in Tel Aviv last night in support of Sgt Elor Azaria, the soldier charged with killing a wounded assailant in Hebron.

All Israeli papers report on the investigation into Monday’s bus bombing in Jerusalem. Maariv claims that the lead suspect in the attack is one of the wounded, who was carrying no identification and has had no visitors. Haaretz confirms that a reporting ban is in place on some aspects of the investigation. Israel Radio reports that Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, meeting Chancellor Angela Merkel in Germany, said that Palestinians were opposed to terrorism against civilians.

Two important convictions in shocking high-profile murders receive media attention. The Jerusalem Post details how Yosef Hayim ben-David’s last-minute push for an insanity plea was considered and dismissed by the court, leading them to convict him of the murder of teen Mohammed abu-Khdair. The Post also reports that Yishai Schlissel was convicted for the murder of 16-year-old Shira Banki during the Jerusalem Gay Pride march in 2015. Mr Schlissel refused to recognise the authority of the court, claiming only God could judge him.

Haaretz leads on an analysis piece by Amos Harel saying Israel is working to maintain quiet in Gaza, even after the discovery of a Hamas tunnel two weeks ago. However, he also suggested that Israel’s tunnel-detection technology is still very immature despite its apparent success. On the other hand, Israel Hayom touts the success of Israel’s detection and prevention systems around Gaza.

Yediot Ahronot, Haaretz and Israel Hayom report that the mayoral election in city of Bat Yam has been invalidated after claims of electoral fraud and giving of inducements by eventual winner Yossi Bachar. The city has been hit by a wave of scandals, with the previous mayor currently jailed for corruption.

Israeli papers also cover last night’s rally in support of Sgt Azaria. Yediot Ahronot notes that the rally was much smaller than expected (Haaretz estimated 2000 attendees) and was dominated by far-right activist groups.

Haaretz covers moves in the Labour Party. Leader Isaac Herzog MK reportedly told a party meeting in Ashkelon that Labour was losing votes to Yair Lapid’s Yesh Atid party due to a perception that the Labour party are “Arab lovers”. “Where do we enter the hearts of the public so they’ll believe that we have… the ability to change the country without abandoning security?” he asked.