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Media Summary

ISIS claims attack on Sinai monastery

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The Guardian reports that Israel has ruled out talks with Palestinian prisoners on hunger strike as leader Marwan Barghouti, currently serving a 40 year sentence in Israel for directing lethal attacks on Israelis during the second intifada, has been moved to solitary confinement. Israel’s Minister for Public Security Gilad Erdan stated: “they are terrorists and incarcerated murderers…we have no reason to negotiate with them.”

The BBC notes Israeli concerns that the hunger strike – observed by 1,187 Palestinian detainees – could lead to increased tensions in the occupied territories.

The i reports on Turkish President Erdogan’s referendum victory, and the implications for Turkey’s relationship with the EU.

The Times reports that French presidential candidate Marine le Pen has been accused of reviving the toxic far right politics of the National Front following pledges to crackdown on immigration and suspend visas for non-Europeans seeking to join family members living in France.

The Israeli media continues to cover the Palestinian prisoners’ hunger strike as well as the public uproar over the way in which Marwan Barghouti, who led the strike, was described by the New York Times. Barghouti, who was convicted on five separate counts of murder of civilians, was described in the article as a Palestinian leader and parliamentarian.

The media also cover Finance Minister Kahlon’s new tax plans which include subsidies for after-school activities, extra tax points for parents with young children, incentives and grants for people to go out to work, and reduced taxes on baby clothes. Several commentators assess the significance of Kahlon not informing the prime minister in advance of his announcement, which some interpreted as Kahlon’s revenge after the Broadcasting Authority saga.

Writing in Maariv, Ben Caspit says that “If yesterday’s events were to be compared to a soccer game then Moshe Kahlon, who found himself trailing behind Netanyahu in the first half (the public broadcasting corporation farce), managed to even the score in the second half and then scored a stunning victory goal during injury time”.

Haaretz report that Israel and Germany agreed to call off the proposed purchase of submarines from a German company in the event that an Israeli police investigation substantiates allegations of graft related to the deal.

Maariv and Israel Hayom report that the body of a third missing person, Itamar Ohana, was found in the Sea of Galilee.

 Haaretz report on an attack yesterday evening claimed by ISIS, in which gunmen opened fire on an Egyptian police checkpoint near the famed Saint Catherine’s Monastery in Sinai killing one policeman and wounding four. Pope Francis is scheduled to visit  Egypt next week. Israel Radio reports that the Taba crossing will remain closed to Israelis who wish to travel to Sinai.

Israel Radio reports that MK Erel Margalit officially announced that he would run for leadership of the Labor Party. In a youtube video, Margalit said he intended to lead a left wing camp that was proud of itself.