The Telegraph and the Times report that former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert was released from prison yesterday after serving 16 months of a 27 month sentence for fraud and bribery. The BBC notes that the Israeli parole board said Olmert had undergone a “significant rehabilitation process” in prison and his behaviour had been mostly “impeccable”. The former PM however remains under investigation for allegedly smuggling a chapter of a book he is writing out of prison, raising fears that it might compromise national security.

The Times reports that Israel is “defiant” after starting construction of a new settlement to house the evicted residents of Amona, dismantled in April 2017. The first official new settlement in 25 years, the article notes the comments of the UN envoy to the region, who said that construction in the West Bank soared by 70 per cent between April 2016 and March 2017.

The i features an article by media columnist Ian Burrell discussing the demand of Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, UAE and Egypt that Qatar shut down news network Al Jazeera as a condition for restoring ties. The author makes a distinction between Al Jazeera English and the older Al Jazeera Arabic, and argues for a “compelling compromise”: “If Al Jazeera Arabic were to be editorially reformed, it could model itself on Al Jazeera English, already its more acceptable face.”

Israel Hayom’s Editor in Chief Boaz Bismuth met with Indian Prime Minister Modi in New Delhi for an interview ahead of the leader’s visit to Israel tomorrow. Prime Minister Modi declared that his “visit will open up new opportunities,” and that “we will take relations to new heights of cooperation”. He referred to Israel as a “beacon for technology” and “a great help to humanity”.

Yediot  Ahronot and Maariv both prominently cover industrial issues in Kiryat Gat, where two factories are facing closure causing hundreds of workers to lose their jobs.

 Maariv highlights a successful murder investigation, eight years after the murders were committed. The case involves a Palestinian man indicted for murdering two policemen in 2009.  They were shot to death in their vehicles after pulling over to help what they believed to be travellers with a flat tyre; investigators are still trying to ascertain whether the incident was terror-related or a botched robbery.

Maariv reports that the State Attorney’s Office plans to inform the High Court of Justice that the Temple Mount will be open to visits by MKs, Jews and Arabs alike, for a trial period of five days.

Israel Hayom and Yediot Ahronot note that former Joint List MK Basel Ghattas has begun serving his prison sentence. He was convicted for smuggling mobile phones to security prisoners, and given a two-year prison sentence.

Israel Hayom report on the latest clash in the Ministerial Committee for Legislation.  Prime Minister Netanyahu used his veto to take a bill sponsored by Jewish Home off the agenda.  The bill aims to predicate any future territorial deal to divide Jerusalem on a special 80 MK majority.

Yediot Ahronot and Haaretz cover the visit of pop star Britney Spears to Israel.  Yesterday she visited the Western Wall and was mobbed by fans.  It is also alleged that she cancelled her meeting with Prime Minister Netanyahu, though his office was careful to note that the meeting was never confirmed.