Media Summary
Newly elected leader of Hamas intends to develop the organisation’s links with ISIS and Iran
The Financial Times, The Guardian and The Telegraph report on today’s meeting between Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Trump. The Financial Times reports on the significance of the meeting for Israel’s far right. The Telegraph notes that the White House is in considerable disarray, and is unlikely to be in a position to make decisions on major issues. The Guardian reiterates that the main purpose of the meeting is to be a public demonstration of unity with the US.
The i also reports on today’s meeting and expects the Trump administration to put up some resistance to Netanyahu in light of Israel’s recent actions.
The Guardian and The Independent report on a White House official’s comments that indicate that the US is open to pursuing alternatives to the two-state solution in efforts to reach peace between Israel and the Palestinians. The Guardian reports the Official stated: “Peace is the goal, whether it comes in the form of a two-state solution, if that’s what the parties want, or something else.”
The Mail Online also reports on this story, noting that the US State Department have expressed surprise and said they were not aware of any policy shift on the commitment of the US to a two-state solution.
The Telegraph reports that Israel quietly withdrew its ambassador from Egypt several weeks ago due to safety concerns, according to Israeli officials. He is currently working from Jerusalem.
The Times reports on the concern that Yahya Sinwar, the newly elected leader of Hamas, intends to develop the organisation’s links with ISIS and Iran.
The i reports that that a meeting between the governments of Germany and Israel that was scheduled to take place in May has been cancelled amid rising frustration in Berlin with settlement activity in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.
All the Israeli media are focusing on Washington today ahead of Prime Minister Netanyahu’s meeting with US President Donald Trump in the White House. Haaretz lead on the idea that the leaders will promote a regional peace initiative. Yediot Ahronot reveal that the Trump administration commissioned a report about the various police investigations into allegations against Prime Minister Netanyahu, “so as to allow him to ascertain whether he is facing a leader who is on his last political legs, or someone with whom he can do business,” Maariv cover final preparations by Netanyahu and his team in Washington in advance of the meeting with President Trump, “at the heart of the meeting will be the issue of negotiations with the Palestinians and the Iranian nuclear program”.
Having missed the deadline yesterday, most papers also prominently discuss the resignation of NSA Flynn, Yediot Ahronot refers to “Administration in Crisis” while Israel Hayom shows concern that, “Trump lost trust in his loyal aviser”.
The other issue prevalent across the media is the industrial dispute of the El Al pilots, their fate will be decided today at the Labour court. Israel Hayom warns that the resignation of pilots will ground all flights. Maariv highlights the Israeli Ambassador to Egypt was recalled out of fear for his safety. While Israel Hayom continues to cover the Yahya Sinwar’s appointment as the new head of Hamas in Gaza and assess he will try and bolster their military strength using Hezbollah as his model. Israel radio report on the successful launch of two Israeli satellites this morning from India along with 102 micro-satellites from around the world. The satellites will be used for climate research and for chemical and medical research. Maariv reveal the announcement that former minister Gidon Saar is ready to return to political life as part of the Likud party.