HA’ARETZ 1. EGYPT INITIATING POSTPONEMENT OF PA ELECTIONS IN ORDER TO STRENGTHEN ABU MAZEN. Sharon-Abu Mazen meeting to apparently be held next week; Palestinian parliament dismisses Abu Ala government. 2. FRANKLIN ADMITS PASSING CLASSIFIED INFORMATION TO SOURCE IN ISRAELI EMBASSY. 3. ZIM ASIA’S MISTAKES: DIDN’T RELATE TO RADAR ID, DIDN’T WAKE CAPTAIN. 4. CLINTON DEMANDED TO ATTEND RABIN RALLY – SABAN OBLIGED TO AGREE. HATZOFEH 1. Terrorism increasing – three attempted stabbings over holiday. SHARON-ABU MAZEN MEETING TO BE HELD NEXT WEEK. Apparently, Sharon and Abu Mazen will meet next Tuesday despite upsurge in terrorism. Goal is to return to „Sharm summit understandings” that mainly included concessions in form of prisoner releases and withdrawal of IDF forces. Palestinians announce committee to inquire into Arafat’s death, with finger pointed at Israel. 2. „ZIM’S BEHAVIOR – DISGRACE.” Thus said Israeli shipping industry sources, after it became clear that company ship struck Japanese fishermen and fled without offering assistance. 3. PINES: LABOR WILL OPPOSE APPOINTMENT OF ADDITIONAL LIKUD MINISTERS. 4. TOUGH UEFA CUP DRAW FOR MACCABI PETAH TIKVA. MA’ARIV 1. Hamas planning for day after it takes over PA. HAMAS PRESENTS: THUS WE WILL TURN GAZA INTO TEHRAN. Palestine Hamas-style. Vision as presented by organization spokesman Mahmoud A-Zahar. Men will be banned from dancing with women. Homosexuality to be illegal. All contacts with Israel to be banned. YEDIOT AHRONOT 1. Ahead of Sharon’s meeting with Abu Mazen on Tuesday: EASING OF CONDITIONS FOR PALESTINIANS. A) Roadblocks between Palestinian towns to be lifted. B) Prisoners with blood on their hands to be released. C) IDF withdrawal from cities to be hastened. D) Deportees to be returned. PM’s confidants: It will strengthen Abu Mazen. 2. Severe incident on Gaza border: SOLDIERS ABANDONED GUARD DUTY AND WENT HOME. They were angry at commander and conditions of service. IDF: They broke alert in sensitive area. Inquiry officer appointed. 3. ZIM COMPANY SUSPICION: SHIP’S CREW LIED. Possible that they concealed information on accident which caused deaths of seven Japanese fishermen. Satisfin Japan over ZIM apology and commitment to pay compensation. ______________________________ SUMMARY OF EDITORIALS FROM THE HEBREW PRESS Yediot Ahronot warns of the fragility of Israel’s newfound international popularity: „Today, the world loves us and is extending its hand, like in the 90’s, following the implementation of the Disengagement Plan. However, it is becoming clear that the world wants it to continue. The residents of Talmon Aleph and Tzalmon Bet will pay every time Tony Blair claps his hands. Sharon not only wants to enter the history books, he wants them to be written and printed right now.” Hatzofeh believes that, „The Prime Minister’s planned meeting with the Palestinian Authority Chairman is expected to yield additional concessions toward the Palestinians.” Yediot Ahronot, in its second editorial, calls for political reforms that will neutralize the power and influence of party central committees. Yediot Ahronot, in its third editorial, says that many Israelis will take extra days off this month due to its several Jewish holidays. Hatzofeh, in its second editorial, decries the Disengagement Plan as the racist product of, „a corrupt family.”
BPI
BPI
