The Guardian comments on Australia’s decision not to recognise West Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. The opinion piece says it is welcome, but not enough, and notes that only a handful of countries have recognised Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, most of which are led by rightwing governments at the time.

The Guardian has also published a piece on how Israel has implemented rules limiting the ability of foreigners to enter and stay in the West Bank despite international criticism of the measures, which include the compulsory declaration of romantic relationships. A 90-page ordinance replacing the previous four-page document came into effect on Thursday for a two-year pilot period.

Reuters reports that one Palestinian was killed on Friday by Israeli troops conducting an overnight raid in the occupied West Bank, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health. Clashes broke out in the town of Jenin during the Israeli raid, according to witnesses. The Israeli military said troops were there to arrest a militant suspect when the violence erupted.

Maariv reports that President Yitzhak Herzog sent letters to the leaders of all political parties expressing his concern about the rising tones of the election campaign. “Especially at this time, when the Israeli public is looking to its leaders – male and female leaders alike – I feel a responsibility and a duty as the president of this country to ask you to remember and implement several fundamental, important principles. “Sadly, and worryingly, we have seen in recent times a notable rise in physical and verbal violence, both in the streets and on social media. This is the time for all leaders and political and social influencers to set a personal example to remain moderate, responsible and dignified. This relates to statements in the media and in public, as well of course as to discussions on social media. I call on you to take care to strongly denounce incitement and violence, if any occurs, especially if these emanate from the ranks of your supporters. We must not forget that the things that unite us are far greater than the things that divide us, and that the day after Election Day we all must continue to live here together. I am asking you, and via you I am asking your supporters and the entire public, to please show your faith in the democratic process and in those people charged with implementing it in the best way possible, and to respect the results, whatever they may be.”

In its weekly poll, Maariv predicts once again that the general election will fail to break the political stalemate. The pro-Netanyahu bloc is projected to win 60 seats and the current coalition is projected to win 56 seats, with the remaining four seats likely to go to Hadash-Ta’al. However, the poll did find some fluctuations inside the blocs. The Likud is now projected to win 31 seats, one less than in the last poll, and the Religious Zionist Party/Otzma Yehudit gained a seat and is now projected to become the third-largest party in the Knesset. All this is occurring against the backdrop of an ongoing stalemate inside the National Unity Party, which failed to gain any ground in this poll. Another interesting development that could impact the election: Nearly half of all Israeli Arabs (48%) now say they will “definitely” vote on November 1, an eight-point jump in a week. In Haaretz Jacky Khoury writes that with two weeks to go, expected voter turnout among the Arab electorate is stagnating at 40 to 45 percent. The Arab parties have yet to find a way to alter the trend, especially among undecided voters who are torn between going to the polls and giving in to apathy and their lack of confidence in the candidates. “If the centre-left bloc still wants a real change rather than a cosmetic one, first its members must internalize the fact that the Arab citizens aspire to an honest partnership, a true partnership. They don’t want to be only an instrument to keep Netanyahu out. If we want to encourage voting in Arab society, we have to decide: What is the Arab’s status in your eyes, that of a citizen or a plumber?”

Maariv also reports on infighting within the political blocs. There is tension between Netanyahu and Itamar Ben Gvir. Meretz and Labour are also annoyed with Yair Lapid. Speaking about the state of the left-wing parties, Prime Minister and Yesh Atid Chairman Yair Lapid told Channel 12 Influencers Conference, “The Labour Party and Meretz are both very far from the electoral threshold. If I was worried, I’d be careful. There is no problem with Labor and Meretz.” Meretz officials were taken aback by the statement, which could be dangerous for them. They said, “If Lapid runs a campaign to form the largest party, he will be the head of the biggest party and Netanyahu will be the prime minister. Cannibalism within the camp is the surest way to guarantee Netanyahu gets the 61 votes he needs. Lapid knows this as well: The only way he gets to 61 is together with Meretz.” Speaking at a faction meeting yesterday, Merav Michaeli said, “I’m mainly speaking from this podium to Yair Lapid: there is no need for infighting inside our bloc. There is no need to take votes from each other; on the contrary. It won’t be helpful to win more votes at the expense of other parties in the bloc; we need a bloc that can work together. Every one of us must vote according to his or her conscience; every one of us must go with his or her own truth.”

In Yediot Ahronot, Sima Kadmon blasts the Religious Zionist Party’s plan for the judiciary. “Purely by coincidence, Smotrich’s program is called “law and justice.” If that rings a bell, it’s because that’s the name of the largest party in the Polish parliament. It’s a conservative religious nationalist party that opposes abortion, same-sex marriage, and taking in immigrants. Under its rule, the city of Kraśnik declared itself an LGBT-free area. Don’t say that the name is a coincidence. Give Smotrich credit for recognizing the name and the agenda. Unlike his partner Netanyahu, Smotrich doesn’t hide his plans. The plan that Netanyahu’s senior partner unveiled this week can also be called “the government’s new plan to escape the trial.” Recall that during the coalition negotiations in 2019, Smotrich announced that he and Netanyahu had agreed to pass the French bill [legislation that would postpone prosecution of elected officials until they leave office]. Netanyahu got angry. But like now, the report may not have been timed on his initiative, but the content of it definitely was. There is no doubt that the opposition chairman is familiar and acquainted with the plan that Smotrich has now presented and its significance, whereby immediately after the election he will pass a teensy-weensy amendment abolishing the offense of fraud and breach of trust [from the legal code].

Kan Radio reports that Prime Minister Yair Lapid spoke with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba. Defense Minister Gantz said beforehand that Israel was on the West’s side, supported Ukraine, and still held Israel’s security as its top priority.

Israel Hayom reports that Israel blasted a report by the United Nations’ ongoing Commission of Inquiry into last year’s 11-day fighting with Hamas that alleged IDF rights abuses. The 28-page document, which is the second one published by the probe, mentions Israel 277 times but fails to mention Hamas. Israel slammed it as biased and dismissive of the terror group’s wrongdoings, as during the conflict, Hamas launched over 4,000 rockets into Israel, sending tens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands, of Israelis to shelters.