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Media Summary

Corbyn allies claim antisemitism allegations part of a leadership plot

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The Guardian reports that allies of Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn have suggested that allegations of antisemitism in the Labour party are being driven by a leadership plot against Corbyn. Unite boss Len McCluskey, the film director Ken Loach and the former Mayor of London Ken Livingstone told reporters that they had not experienced antisemitism in the Labour party, and McClusky described the allegations as “mood music”. The paper notes that the row over antisemitism has overshadowed the introduction of tough new rules on hate speech within the party, in a measure to tackle such allegations.

The Sun, Spectator and the Jewish Chronicle also report on the Labour party conference, focusing on Corbyn’s absence from an event hosted by Labour Friends of Israel (LFI). The Sun reports that the Shadow Foreign Secretary Emily Thornberry told the event Corbyn could not attend as he was preparing a speech, despite his presence at two other parties at the same time.

The Daily Mail reports that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has released a statement saying that ties between Israel and Germany will “deepen and prosper” after Germany’s election, but did not make reference to the gains made by the far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) party. The Prime Minister did say however that Israel is concerned over the rise of antisemitism in “the right and left and among Islamic elements”.

The Times reports that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has threatened to cut off a pipeline that allows the Kurdish region of Iraq to export its oil. Erdogan said that “the moment we shut the valve it’s finished for them”. The threat is a response to the independence referendum held on Monday, the result of which is widely expected to be a major “yes” victory.

The Israeli media is dominated by coverage of yesterday’s shooting attack in Har Adar.  Maariv speculates on the security dilemmas as the terrorist was in possession of a work permit and the implications for the future.  They assess there will be no change in policy in the wake of a single terror attack as it is also in Israel’s interest to allow tens of thousands of Palestinians to work inside Israel and ensure they can provide for their families.  For Yediot Ahronot the conclusion must be to strive for separation from the Palestinians.  The paper reminds its readers of the plan devised by a group of former military commanders in which “the Palestinians will receive far more autonomy and far more self-government, on the one hand, whereas Israel will retain control over the border with Jordan and every other point that is vital for security, on the other”.  Yediot Ahronot also reminds readers how the community of Har Adar was synonymous with efforts towards coexistence with the three neighbouring Palestinian villages and one Israeli-Arab town, Abu Ghosh.

Channel two news reveals that last night two soldiers were killed and four injured in a training accident on the Golan.  The soldiers were travelling in a mobile artillery vehicle that flipped over into a deep ditch.

Haaretz and Maariv focus on the disagreement over tonight’s celebration of 50 years of the settlement movement in the Etzion bloc. President of the Supreme Court, Chief  Justice Miriam Naor, has said it would not be appropriate to send a representative.  In response minister Miri Regev of the Likud suggests in Israel Hayom that the state shouldn’t invite the judges to official state events.