The Times and the Daily Telegraph report that Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi will meet US President Donald Trump at the White House today. The Daily Telegraph notes that the White House has described the visit as a chance “to reboot the bilateral relationship” with one of the “traditional pillars of stability in the Middle East”. The Times notes that the two leaders see eye to eye on all issues preoccupying the Arab world.

The Daily Telegraph features a report first published 100 years ago during the First World War from the British Commander-in-Chief in Egypt, describing the military action south of Gaza on 26-27 March 1917.

The Guardian covers the story that Israeli scientists are attempting to transform the medical marijuana industry into serious pharmaceutical research, producing new drugs able to alleviate symptoms of Cancer, Parkinson’s disease and other ailments. The article notes that about 500 companies have joined the “green rush” to exploit cannabis products since Israel decriminalised the use of Marijuana in February 2017.

The news that David’s Sling anti-missile system has become operational is covered by all the media.  Yediot Ahronot see it as a response to Hezbollah missiles, while Israel Hayom are confident the skies are now safe.

The fallout of the compromise deal over the public broadcasting corporation continues to feature heavily across the Israeli media.  Maariv and Haaretz highlight divergent opinions within the Attorney General’s office.  Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit has given his approval for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to proceed with the new public broadcasting corporation. In contrast, Mandelblit’s deputy, Avi Licht, considered the Justice Ministry’‎s most experienced media affairs expert, objects to the plan. Meanwhile, petitions against the agreement will be filed with the High Court of Justice today.

Yediot Ahronot leads on concern that the “Palestinian Authority pays over one billion shekels in salaries to terrorists”.  A new Knesset bill is looking to prevent this by deducting money from the taxes Israel collects and transfers to the Palestinian Authority (PA).  The bill is sponsored by several MKs from both the coalition and opposition parties.  The bill suggests that giving money to the families of terrorists is in violation of the Oslo Accords and that Israel will therefore deduct 1.1bn shekels from the tax money that it transfers to the PA.  According to MK Stern from Yesh Atid “the money that the PA transfers to the terrorist is not merely incitement but also an incentive to commit acts of terror”.

In political news and trading barbs within the coalition, Ma‎ariv focus on Jewish Home Chairman Naftali Bennett’s criticism of Netanyahu on twitter, whereby his announcement of restrained settlement growth was an “historic missed opportunity. instead of raising an alternative, we were passive, and so we returned to the same old two states, which will lead nowhere except to frustration. Why should I complain, after all, this (two states) is Netanyahu’‎s avowed policy… the story is not President Trump, but rather the position of the Israeli government. Because we did not place a firm Israeli initiative on the table, the vacuum was filled by two states”.  Likud figures responded with amusement, claiming “Bennett is the last person who can preach about withstanding pressure, when he, as education minister, capitulates constantly to pressure”.

Yediot Ahronot feature comments made by Defence Minister Lieberman yesterday on the mysterious assassination of Mazen Fuqaha in Gaza and on Hamas’‎s claim that Israel was behind the assassination. He said: “We don’‎t go looking for adventures; we conduct our defense policy with responsibility and with determination…. Hamas is known for its insider assassinations, for settling scores, I suggest that it look in that direction.”

Maariv also covers the progress by allied forces in Iraq and believes they are closing in on ISIS leader Abu Baakr al- Baghdadi who they refer to as “Mr. Terrorism”.

Israel radio report on new archaeological discoveries found on the Temple Mount.  Archaeologist Gabriel Barkay discovered a large capital from a tall column that formed part of the colonnade around the Temple two millennia ago.