The main item of Israel related coverage in the UK media today is yesterday’s terrorist attack in Jerusalem. The Guardian, Independent, Evening Standard, Times, Financial Times, BBC Online and Sky News Online also have pieces on the Syrian regime’s crackdown on protests in the southern Syrian city of Daraa. The Daily Telegraph runs a piece by a Conservative MP, Louise Bagshawe, who is critical of BBC coverage of the recent terrorist attack in Itamar. The Financial Times and BBC Online note the passing of a law in Israel which would withdraw public funding from institutions questioning Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state. The Scotsman notes Turkey’s grounding of an Iranian plane carrying arms to Syria earlier this week.  Reuters notes the lifting in Egypt that curbs political activity. The Evening Standard notes the arrest of two men in connection to an incident at a ‘Celebrate Palestine’ festival in London, in which a pro-Israel activist was assaulted. 

In the Israeli media, all papers focus on the attack in Jerusalem, PM Netanyahu’s remarks relating to it, and have analysis on Israel’s likely response. Haaretz and the Jerusalem Post are reporting IAF strikes on targets in Gaza this morning. Ynetnews notes that Islamic Jihad commanders have gone into hiding. Ynetnews also notes that five mortar shells fired at Israel from Gaza yesterday contained phosphorous, which is banned for use as a weapon by international law. The Jerusalem Post notes the Syrian crackdown on protests in Daraa. Maariv notes that children will not attend schools today in Beersheva, Ashdod and Ashkelon, because of the threat of rocket attacks.