The Financial Times reports on the anti-war demonstration in Tel Aviv over the weekend, in which 1000 Israelis urged the government not to attack Iran. According to the Independent, Egypt has claimed that it has prevented an Iranian attack on Israeli ships in the Suez Canal. Israel has not commented on the issue. Iran also features on the comment pages, with former Mossad head Efraim Halevy making the case in the Times that the P5+1 group of leading global powers should avoid a ‘quick fix’ solution, and pursue a comprehensive regional agreement which both ends the Iranian nuclear programme and addresses Iranian concerns about the survivability of its regime. In the Guardian, Mehdi Hassan warns that an attack on the Iranian nuclear programme might only stiffen Iranian resolve to build a bomb. The BBC reports on a meeting in Istanbul between Syrian opposition groups in an attempt to draw up a ‘national pact’ to bring down the Assad regime. The arrest of Abdelkader Merah, the brother of Toulouse gunman Mohammed Merah, is widely reported. He will face murder and terrorism charges. The Independent has details of the gunman’s last testament, in which he claims to derive ‘infinite pleasure’ from killing. The Independent reports on the Supreme Court ruling yesterday, according to which the residents of Migron, a settlement outpost built on privately-owned land, will have to be dismantled by 1 August. The court rejected a compromise agreement with the government that would have given the residents three years to build new houses elsewhere.

Over the weekend, coverage of the events in Toulouse continue to be discussed. Several papers on Saturday included criticism of French police failure to capture the gunman alive. The Telegraph includes quotes from former Mossad chief Danny Yatom critical of the intelligence failure. The Times includes exerts of an open letter written by Evan Sandler who lost her husband and two children. Daily Express focuses on the outrage at an English teacher’s decision to hold a minutes silence for the killer. Various Sunday papers note the killer had links to British extremists, with further profile pieces in the Observer and Sunday Telegraph. The Guardian on Saturday warns against a strike on Iran likening the situation to Iraq before the invasion and includes quotes from former Mossad chief Meir Dagan. The Sunday Times claims Israeli agents have a permanent base in Iraqi Kurdistan allowing them to partake in cross-border intelligence missions inside Iran. The Independent on Saturday covers the racist brawl between Beitar Jerusalem football fans and Arab workers in the shopping centre next door the stadium. Daily Telegraph comments on Ken Livingstone’s statements on Jews. The Sun on Sunday reports Conservative MP John Howell has been offered protection by the police after receiving death threats for taking a pro- Israel stance. Andrew Sullivan in the Sunday Times reviews Peter Beinart’s book ‘The Crisis of Zionism’, both are former editors of the New Republic. The review is warm and supportive, although Sullivan does note others are far more critical including their former boss Marty Peretz, who referred to the book as ‘narcisistic’.

The Israeli press leads with the court ruling on the illegality of the Migron outpost, and the rejection of the compromise agreement with the residents. The Jerusalem Post reports comments by Prime Minister Netanyahu, who said, “The government of Israel, like all citizens of Israel, respects the court’s decisions and acts according to Israeli law.” However, speaking on Israel Radio, MK Zevulun Orlev (National Home) said that his party would leave the government if Migron was evacuated. He criticised the court for intervening in a political matter. Most of the political commentators side with the court. In Yediot Ahronot, Nachum Barnea notes that the legal system’s patience has run out after years of delays. Ben Caspit, writing in Maariv, notes that Asher Grunis, the new president of the supreme court who headed the panel of judges that issued its ruling yesterday, ‘in a simple legal decision, logical and clear, made it clear that he is no one’‎s pawn.’ Haaretz has polling data which indicates two-thirds of Israelis believe a nuclear Iran would present a greater threat to Israel than an attack on Iran. 60% believe that only military action could stop Iran from getting the bomb. Yediot Ahronot also notes comments by President Obama in Turkey on Iran. “I believe there is a window of time to solve this diplomatically, but that window is closing,” he told reporters.

On Sunday, all the dailies continued with front page focus on the Toulouse attack. There was further coverage of French society and the threat of anti-Semitism. All papers carried comment on the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) declaration from Thursday to establish a committee of inquiry looking into West Bank settlements. According to minister Moshe Ya’alon in Israel Hayom, “By deciding to investigate the settlements, the UN Human Rights Council is continuing to advance its deliberate and blatant anti-Israel position, and is making sure to break record levels of hypocrisy, ugliness and shamelessness.” In Yediot Ahronot Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon wrote, “‎from our point of view there is no validity, either political or moral, to the UN’‎s commission of inquiry and, therefore, we will not allow them to operate here’’. Ma’ariv drew attention to the Global March on Jerusalem planned for this Friday, which marks Land Day. Security sources have warned neighboring countries and are anticipating attempts to breach Israel’s borders. Ma’ariv gave coverage to the impending Kadima leadership contest on Tuesday, noting the contest is very close. Close to 25% of registered Kadima members are Druze, Muslim, Christian or Bedouin, and both candidates spent Sunday campaigning in those communities.