HA’ARETZ 1. PM suffers mild stroke and is hospitalized. Tells Ha’aretz: I needed a few days’ vacation. SHARON, FROM HOSPITAL: I’M FINE, WE WILL MOVE FORWARD. The event: PM felt ill after meeting with Peres and was rushed to hospital. The reactions: World leaders wish Sharon a rapid recovery. The Likud: Assessments that event will increase number of voters in primaries. Basic Law: If PM cannot function, Olmert would replace him. 2. Primaries in Likud today; tight battle expected between Netanyahu and Shalom. SENIOR LIKUD OFFICIALS: INCREASED CHANCES OF ALTERNATIVE GOVERNMENT. 3. „I WARNED IN ADVANCE THAT I WOULD REFUSE TO EVACUATE.” First evacuation refusenik Avi Bieber, to Ha’aretz: „They have forgotten that I was a good soldier.” 4. KASSAMS ON ASHKELON. Rockets fired from ruins of settlement of Dugit and landed in Ashkelon’s southern industrial zone. 5. CIVILIAN SERVICE FOR EVERYONE. Government adopts decision that will enable civilian service for haredim and Arabs. Will enjoy rights granted to soldiers. HATZOFEH 1. Ariel Sharon suffers mild stroke. „PM WILL BE DISCHARGED SOON.” Thus said Hasdassah-Ein Kerem Hospital Deputy Director Dr. Yuval Weiss, in press briefing. Yesterday: PM rushed straight to hospital at 20:00 after feeling ill. Comprehensive tests later indicated that Sharon had suffered mild stroke. 2. LIKUD GOING TO PRIMARIES: NETANYAHU LEADS BY LARGE MARGIN. Survey carried out among Likud voters for Hatzofeh predicts clear victory for Netanyahu, likely in first round. Among all members: Netanyahu 36%, Shalom 27%, Feiglin 8%. Among those who said that they would definitely vote: Netanyahu 43%, Shalom 27%, Feiglin 10%. 3. KASSAM ROCKET LANDS IN ASHKELON INDUSTRIAL ZONE. 4. TWO TERRORISTS CAUGHT EN ROUTE TO JORDAN VALLEY COMMUNITY. 5. YOSSI SHOK – MURDERED IN SHOOTING ATTACK – LAID TO REST. 6. GOVERNMENT APPROVES EXPANDED TAL LAW. 7. ANTI-POVERTY PLAN APPROVED. MA’ARIV 1. Sharon to Ma’ariv last night: „I apparently needed to take a few days vacation. I hear that there is interest already in my replacement. I’m still here, yes?” „GILAD, I DON’T FEEL WELL.” PM left his office yesterday after another heavy day. Felt ill in car en route to Shikmim farm. Sharon called his son, his voice faltered. Security guards immediately decided to turn around and head to Hadassah. Became clear at hospital: PM had suffered mild stroke. Spent night in hospital, under close watch. 2. TODAY: BATTLE FOR LIKUD LEADERSHIP. In shadow of Sharon’s stroke, man who will run in elections against him will be chosen today. Netanyahu aspires to translate advantage in polls into victory. Shalom relying on field activists. Feiglin hoping for surprise. Katz trying to show that he cannot be ignored. YEDIOT AHRONOT 1. Sharon collapsed and was rushed to Hadassah. Diagnosis: STROKE. PM to Yediot Ahronot, from hospital: „I feel fine.” It happened at end of busy day. Sharon felt ill and found it difficult to speak. Personal paramedic ordered: „Fly to Hadassah.” By the time he got to the hospital, PM found it difficult to stand. Stroke diagnosed in trauma room, top neurologists, and a brain surgeon, summoned. Calming statement released two hours later: „PM suffered mild stroke, he is conscious and will be discharged soon.” Confidants: Sharon spoke with sons and joked with doctors. Concern in Kadima: We will lose votes. 2. LIKUD VOTES. Today: Likud members go to polls to decide who will lead party: Netanyahu, Feiglin, Shalom or Katz. First results after midnight. ______________________________ SUMMARY OF EDITORIALS FROM THE HEBREW PRESS Yediot Ahronot refers to Kadima MK Majli Wahabee’s recent comments in which he derisively dismissed the possibility that a woman like Tzipi Livni could be Defense Minister: „Because Wahabee is right. Israelis do not want a Defense Minister for themselves but a puppet with rank, a daddy in uniform who will tell us that everything is alright…This really is not a job for a serious person like Tzipi Livni.” Hatzofeh believes that the recent US House of Representatives vote opposing Hamas’s participation in the upcoming Palestinian Authority elections and threatening to halt financial aid to the PA will have little real effect and strongly doubts that Abu Mazen will ever take any serious against Hamas.
BPI-info
BPI-info
