The Independent, i and the online editions of the Guardian and Financial Times report that Israel has told Pierre Vimont, France’s special envoy for the Israeli-Palestinian peace process, that it will not participate in France’s international peace initiative. There has been little progress since the initiative was announced earlier this year, neither Israeli or Palestinian leaders have been directly involved. Officials from the Israeli Prime Minister’s office met Vimont yesterday in Jerusalem and issued a statement reiterating that peace can “only come through direct negotiations between Israel and the PA (Palestinian Authority)”. Israel fears that the French plan will allow the Palestinians to avoid direct talks.

The Metro and i reports that Israeli rabbinical authorities have seized the passport of an American Jewish businessman travelling to Israel, who they believe is behind his son’s refusal to grant a divorce to his wife who lives in Israel with their children. Israel’s rabbinate oversees many aspects of personal status for Jewish Israelis, including marriage and divorce. In traditional Jewish law, divorce is only complete if granted by the husband.

The Times reports that the men’s and women’s rugby teams at Goldsmiths, University of London have decided to wear a Palestinian flag on the sleeves of  shirts this season, in solidarity with the Palestinian people. The Union of Jewish Students is said to have described the move as “unsporting and divisive”.

The Guardian online reports comments by Joseph Durnford, the Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, who said that the US-backed force fighting to liberate the ISIS stronghold of Raqqa in Syria, will be spearheaded by Sunni Arabs. The article says Durnford was reassuring Turkey that Kurds would not lead the fight and potentially take control of territory near the Turkish border.

The Financial Times says that France’s Total and China’s China National Petroleum Corporation are both due to sign major gas deals with Iran.

In the Israeli media, Israel Hayom, Haaretz, Maariv and Yediot Ahronot are dominated by today’s US elections, with the front page headline in Yediot Ahronot declaring it the “moment of truth”.

The main domestic story, which is prominently reported in Maariv and Israel Hayom is the response by Prime Minister Netanyahu’s office to an investigative report on Channel Two’s “Uvda” (fact) programme, which examined Netanyahu’s office and was critical of how it operated. At the end of the programme the presenter, Ilana Dayan, read out a statement from Netanyahu’s office that accused her of ‘lacking any journalistic integrity and being a left-wing extremist waging a campaign against Netanyahu and his wife.” Yediot Ahronot includes statements from opposition leaders condemning Netanyahu’s response. It also notes that no Likud figures were willing to defend the comments, quoting an anonymous Likud source saying: “I’‎m not willing to put myself on the line for Netanyahu anymore.” In Maariv, Ben Caspit praises the Uvda report, saying: “This is the role of journalism. This is why it exists.”

Israel Radio news covers a report in a London-based Arabic newspaper that Yesh Atid is planning to form an Arab party to rival the Joint Arab List, which would be a natural coalition ally. Yesh Atid leader Yair Lapid flatly denied that any such plans are being considered.

Israel Radio news also reports that prominent author Amos Oz spoke at an alternative award ceremony at Ben-Gurion University, rewarding the contribution of Breaking the Silence, which critics say operates with a political agenda. Several months ago, the university refused to hand a prize to the organisation, but allowed yesterday’s alternative ceremony on its campus.