18.12.2003 HAARETZ 1. LIVNATS REVOLUTION: SHARP REDUCTION IN NUMBER OF TEACHERS, FIVE DAY SCHOOLWEEK, BREAKING THE UNIONS. 2. 45% DECREASE IN NUMBER OF ARAB CITIZENS INVOLVED IN TERROR. 3. STORM SURROUNDING NETANYAHUS COMMENTS: DEMOGRAPHICAL PROBLEM OF ISRAELI-ARABS. 4. Sharon on his way to give Herzliya speech: MARKED FOR EVACUATION: GANIM, KADIM AND MORAG. Political sources: After giving a chance to Abu Ala, Sharon will announce the dismantling of 3 settlements. HATZOFEH 1. Tension: Will Sharon reveal details of his unilateral plan in his speech tonight in Herzliya? NETANYAHU: ISRAELI ARABS – THEY ARE OUR DEMOGRAPHIC PROBLEM, NOT THE PALESTINIANS.
Finance Minister said in his speech at Herzliya Conference, that if Israeli Arabs reach 35% of population – it will cease to be a Jewish state. He defined Palestinians as: poisoned society that creates suicide terror cells. Severe criticism from Left. Netanyahu and Silvan Shalom come out against Sharon and Olmerts unilateral plans, without mentioning their names. 2. PROGRESS IN CONTACTS BETWEEN TREASURY AND HISTADRUT; TODAY – EMPLOYMENT SERVICES TO OPEN. 3. COLOMBIAN GUERILLA ORGANIZATION: WE WILL RELEASE CAPTIVES SOON. 4. FORECAST: WINTER RETURNS TODAY. MAARIV 1. Sharon to present: Security separation from Palestinians. SEVERING PLAN. Following long weeks of declarations and denials, Prime Minister will today reveal his plan. Last night he closed himself off at farm in order to write speech alone. 2. NETANYAHU AGAINST ISRAELI ARABS. Finance Minister: They are a demographical problem. Storm on Left: Hes racist. YEDIOT AHRONOT 1. FIGHTING CRIME. (
). 2. Yesterday: Netanyahu raises storm. Today: Sharon to present his plan TENSION AHEAD OF SHARONS SPEECH. In his speech at Herzliya Conference, he will discuss moving settlements. Netanyahu: Israeli Arabs are a demographic problem. 3. HALF OF AMERICANS: ISRAEL ENDANGERS WORLD PEACE. Despite this, survey shows that 70% believe that Israel is serious in its efforts for peace. ____________________________ SUMMARY OF EDITORIALS FROM THE HEBREW PRESS Yediot Ahronot reminds its readers that, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has promised President Bush – both publicly and in private – that he would evacuate illegal settlements, but adds that, As of today, the sense in the White House is that – in the meantime – these are empty promises. The editors aver that, It would have been preferable for Sharon to have told the American President that he either cannot dismantle outposts or does not want to, than to promise and not carry out, because, The political price of a lack of credibility is much greater. The paper suggests that this lack of credibility will come back to haunt Prime Minister Sharon and his government after the US presidential elections. The editors believe that while Prime Minister Sharon will have an opportunity to decisively state his views in his speech to the Herzliya Conference this evening, Anything he says will be meaningless, at least in American eyes, if nothing happens on the ground. Hatzofeh comments on ISA Director Avi Dichter remarks at the Herzliya Conference earlier this week in which he asserted that Jewish extremists in Israel posed, a significant strategic threat, and could precipitate a global conflict between Jews and Muslims by striking at the mosques on the Temple Mount. The editors are puzzled that the security forces would be unable to protect a relatively small area such as the Temple Mount. The paper asks why ISA Director Dichter failed to define increasing Israeli Arab involvement in terrorism as a strategic threat to the State of Israel, and instead chose to so label a handful of Jewish extremists.
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