BBC News Online and Mail Online both report that 176 new homes have been approved for construction in East Jerusalem.

The Independent reports  statements made by UK Prime Minister Theresa May that she will celebrate the centenary of the Balfour declaration with “pride” but that “we must also be conscious of the sensitivities that some people do have about the Balfour declaration and we recognise that there is more work to be done”.

The Independent also reports that Israel allegedly sold military equipment to Myanmar during the “ethnic cleansing” of Rohingya Muslims. The allegation centres around two Super-Dvora Mk. III gunboats which were unveiled by the Myanmar Navy yesterday.

The Mail Online reports that Iran yesterday sentenced a citizen to death for spying for Israel in return for Swedish residency.

The Times reports that a nationalist politician has formed a new centre-right party in Turkey. Meral Aksener, 61, took to the stage in Ankara this morning to inaugurate the Iyi (Good) Party in a direct appeal to the Turkish middle ground that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan Justice and Development Party (AKP) has dominated for the past decade and a half. Aksener may run against Erdogan in Turkey’s presidential election in 2019.

The Telegraph reports that a Turkish judge ruled on Wednesday night that a group of human rights activists released from prison will still face charges. The campaigners, who include several senior Amnesty International figures, have been in prison since they were arrested during a human rights workshop in July. They are charged with terrorism offences.

Yediot Ahronot and Maariv report a new proposed “police bill,” which would prevent the police from recommending indictments when they transfer their material to the Attorney General’s Office. According to Maariv “the political establishment now believes that this bill, from the outset, was the true goal of Netanyahu, who wants to avoid, at any cost, a police recommendation”.  The paper also adds that coalition partners will only support the bill if it applies to future PMs.

Yediot Ahronot reports an unusual warning letter sent to 130 Israeli companies together with approximately 60 international corporations that operate in Israel. It was signed by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Prince Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein of Jordan.  They are being blacklisted because they “operate beyond the Green Line and violate international law and UN resolutions”.

Haaretz has announced that US Vice President Mike Pence will visit Israel and the Palestinian Authority (PA) in December in an attempt to restart the peace process. He will meet separately with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and PA President Mahmoud Abbas.

Maariv cites a letter that settler leader Avi Roeh sent to local council chairmen in Judea and Samaria indicating that the government would invest NIS 800 million to develop infrastructure in the West Bank, starting next year.

Haaretz report yesterday’s decision to approve the expansion of a settlement in a Palestinian neighbourhood in East Jerusalem.  The Jerusalem municipality and the Jerusalem District Planning and Building Committee issued building permits for 176 housing units in Jabal Mukkaber, in the southeast of the city.

Kan Radio News report that the US House of Representatives passed three bills against Hezbollah as part of the effort to toughen up positions on Iran. Another bill that was passed called on the European Union to declare Hezbollah a terrorist group.

Maariv and Haaretz report the resignation of the Prime Minister’s long-term diplomatic envoy Yitzchak Molcho.  Maariv notes the convenient timing, a day before the High Court hears the case of his conflict of interest due to his proximity to both the Prime Minister and his partner at their law firm David Shimron.  Shimron is closely connected to “case 3000,” which revolved around improprieties involved in the purchase of naval vessels from Germany.  There has been no suggestion either the Prime Minister or Molcho were involved.

Israel Hayom previews this morning’s farewell ceremony for Supreme Court President Miriam Naor, who will step down from the bench today after 38 years as a judge.  Justice Naor served as president of the Supreme Court for nearly three years.  Justice Esther Hayut will be sworn in this afternoon.   The Prime Minister and the Knesset speaker are expected to attend the swearing-in ceremony at the President’s Residence.

Yediot Ahronot reports that the Prime Minister’s son, Yair, vows never to go into politics.  He was speaking at his father’s birthday party, his comments received applause from his mother Sara and Likud MKs.