Reuters reports that US National Security Advisor John Bolton said that the US will not be discussing recognition of Israel’s claim of sovereignty over the Golan Heights. Bolton told Reuters during a visit to Israel that “I’ve heard the idea being suggested but there’s no discussion of it, no decision within the U.S. government,” and that “obviously we understand the Israeli claim that it has annexed the Golan Heights – we understand their position – but there’s no change in the U.S. position for now.” During the trip, Bolton commented on Washington limiting funds for UNRWA saying; “UNRWA is a failed mechanism. It violates standard international law on the status of refugees. UNRWA’s program is the only one in history based on the assumption that refugee status is hereditary, and I think it is long overdue that we have taken steps to reduce funding.”

Reuters reports that the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) have launched a criminal investigation into the killing of two Palestinians in Gaza. The inquiry into the deaths of Abed Nabi, 18, on March 30, and 15-year-old Othman Helles on July 13 was the first announced by the military into its use of lethal force in the border demonstrations that began five months ago. A statement from the Israeli military said its initial inquiries into the two events raised “a suspicion that the shooting in these incidents was not in accordance with standard operating procedures”.

The Daily Mail reports that Israel has changed its gun laws to help prevent “lone wolf” attacks. Changes will enable up to 600,000 Israelis to apply for a gun license. A source in the public security ministry, however, estimated that only 35,000 people will be interested in applying for gun licences under the new regulations. Israeli Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan said: “Many civilians saved lives during attacks and, in an age of ‘lone-wolf terror’, the more trained civilians carrying arms, the higher the chances of thwarting attacks and minimising casualties.” Some 140,000 civilians currently hold a firearms permit, and while officials say they have no intention of creating a “United States situation” in Israel, critics have warned the new policy will stoke violence.

In the FT, David Gardner comments on Russia’s diplomatic offensive in Syria. Gardner writes that “Putin wants to convince European nations to normalise relations with Assad”.

The Daily Mail, Independent and the Guardian report that Saudi Arabia plans to execute a female political activist. The Daily Mail reports that Israa al-Ghomgham, 29, has been imprisoned since 2015, after taking part in anti-government protests and campaigning for human rights on social media. During Al-Ghomgham’s first trial session earlier this month, the prosecution recommended that she be sentenced to death for her crimes. The Independent reports that at Riyadh’s specialised criminal court earlier this month, the public prosecutor recommended Ghomgham and five other defendants face beheading under anti-terrorism legislation. Ghomgham is a “well known human rights defender”, according to the Germany based European Saudi Organisation for Human Rights (ESOHR). The decision sets a “dangerous precedent” for female activists in the deeply conservative country, ESOHR director Ali Adubisi said in a statement. The Guardian reports that Sarah Leah Whitson, Middle East director at Human Rights Watch said: “Any execution is appalling, but seeking the death penalty for activists like Israa al-Ghomgham, who are not even accused of violent behavior, is monstrous.” ALQST, a London-based Saudi rights group, reported the decision involving Ghomgham’s case earlier this week.

The Daily Mail reports that United States, France and Britain threatened to respond if Assad uses chemical weapons in its offensive to retake Idlib province. In a joint statement, the three powers said they were “gravely concerned” over the military offensive in Idlib and the resulting humanitarian consequences. The statement released by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) on the fifth anniversary of the Ghouta Sarin attack said: “As Permanent Members of the Security Council, we reaffirm our shared resolve to preventing the use of chemical weapons by the Syrian regime, and for holding them accountable for any such use” and that “we remain resolved to act if the Assad regime uses chemical weapons again.”

Reuters reports that Iranian cleric, Ayatollah Seyed Ahmad Khatami warned that if Washington were to attack Iran, Israel would be targeted. Ahmad Khatami also told worshippers attending Eid prayers in Tehran that Trump’s offer of talks with Iranian leaders was unacceptable, as the U.S. leader wanted Tehran to concede on its missile programme and regional influence.

“Americans say you should accept what we say in the talks. So this is not negotiation, but dictatorship. The Islamic Republic and the Iranian nation would stand up against dictatorship,” Khatami was quoted as saying by Mizan news agency. Iran has said it could target Israeli cities with its missiles if it is threatened. Khatami said: “The price of a war with Iran is very high for America. They know if they harm this country and this state in the slightest way, the United States and its main ally in the region, the Zionist regime (of Israel) would be targeted.”

Kan Radio News features remarks by US President Donald Trump that when peace negotiations resume, Israel will have to pay a higher price because of the US’s decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and to relocate its embassy to there.

Haaretz reports that Bolton said Russian President Vladimir Putin told the U.S. that Moscow could not bring about the withdrawal of Iranian forces from Syria.

YNET, Haaretz and Times of Israel report that Bolton said the Trump administration is not discussing possible US recognition of Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights. “I’ve heard the idea being suggested but there’s no discussion of it, no decision within the US government,” Bolton told Reuters during a visit to Israel.

Haaretz and Maariv reports that for the first time since the beginning of the violent events and the marches of return at the Gaza fence, the Military Police will investigate two incidents from the past several months. Judge Advocate General Brig. Gen. Sharon Afek decided this after he examined the findings of the operational debriefing by the Southern Command, and the findings of the Central Command investigative team, in addition to reports that were received from the Palestinian side and civil rights organisations.

Israel Hayom and Maariv reports comments by Lieberman that Umm el-Fahm should be part of Palestine, not part of Israel after the mass funeral that was held for terrorist Ahmed Mahamid, who was killed this week on the Temple Mount after he had attempted to stab a policeman. About 1,500 people attended instead of the 150 permitted, while some attendees came with flags of Palestine, and chanted “in spirit and blood we will redeem the shahid”. Lieberman said that his plan from a few years ago for a land and population swap in which parts of the Triangle, Wadi Ara and Umm el-Fahm would move to the PA was now more relevant than ever.

Yediot Ahronot and Maariv report on a political crisis because of work on the Sabbath. Minister Uri Ariel of the Jewish Home said that he asked for clarifications regarding the work to construct a pedestrian bridge above the Ayalon Highway that is scheduled to begin on Saturday. MK Uri Maklev of United Torah Judaism said that it was possible, with proper planning, to carry out construction and maintenance work during weekdays and that Sabbath work was not the solution. Rabbi Yitzchak Goldknopf, secretary of the Committee for the Sanctity of the Sabbath, said that if a decision to cancel the Sabbath work is not made as of today, the rabbis will call on the public to hold a mass prayer service at the construction site this Saturday.