Summary of Editorials from the Hebrew Press

Haaretz – www.haaretz.com
Yediot Aharonot – www.ynetnews.com
Globes – www.globes.co.il
Jerusalem Post – www.jpost.com
Hazofeh – www.hazofe.co.il


Haaretz comments: „Precisely because the president, holder of the highest office in the land, has very few practical functions to fulfill, there is no need to require him to step down until the investigation against him is completed and suspicions against him have been thoroughly examined. Because the president is more exposed than an ordinary citizen would be under similar circumstances; because he has nowhere to hide; because his presence is required at certain ceremonies and events; because he is expected to pose for photographers when he arrives and when he leaves; because there is no fear he will abscond; and because he has been punished by public humiliation even before he has been found guilty, is it unnecessary to demand his resignation. That can wait.”
The Jerusalem Post writes: „Last night in Haifa, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert made his case for the successes of the war, his own decision-making, and for a three-part mechanism to investigate and correct mistakes. He argued that we as a nation do not have the „luxury” of launching a drawn out commission of inquiry that will force generals and ministers to defend themselves from legal sanction. We also, however, do not have the luxury of an investigation that does not cast its net deep and wide, and call into question entrenched ideas and deficiencies in our military politics and society.”
Hatzofeh declares that, „Yesterday, the prime minister used all of the classical demagogic tricks in his speech,” in which he ruled out a state commission of inquiry into the recent fighting in Lebanon and says that he knows full well that committees that are beholden to him will not reach personal conclusions against him.
Yediot Aharonot asserts that Prime Minister Ehud Olmert „and others with him got off on the wrong foot” and suggests that he missed an opportunity yesterday to restore his image and standing when he chose not to call for a state commission of inquiry into the recent fighting in Lebanon. The editors believe that he will yet be compelled to do so.
Yediot Aharonot, in its second editorial, calls on the country to mobilize leaders from the ranks of academia and the business and hi-tech worlds.
Yediot Aharonot, in its third editorial, says that while IDF Chief of General Staff Lt.-Gen. Dan Halutz is not above criticism, criticism of him should not be inflammatory.
Yediot Aharonot, in its fourth editorial, asserts that President Moshe Katsav is innocent until proven otherwise.
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