SUMMARY OF EDITORIALS FROM THE HEBREW PRESS

Yediot Ahronot says that Prime Minister Ehud Olmert may be facing a historic and paramount decision in determining the fate of the country:


The 2002 Saudi peace initiative. The editors point out that, as opposed to previous formulas which have proved fruitless, this initiative is different in that the most important kingdom in the Arab Muslim world wants to run the peace talks itself.

Hatzofeh discusses the first aid Hatzalah Yehuda and Shomron (Judea and Samaria) organization’s summary report on terrorist activities in 2006.

HEADLINES FROM THE HEBREW PRESS

HA’ARETZ
1. SUSPICION: BRIBES IN RETURN FOR APPOINTMENTS AT TAX AUTHORITY.
2. Summary of war investigations.
HALUTZ: WAR HURT ISRAEL’S DETERRENT ABILITY.
3. HAMAS: AGREES TO ISRAELI PROPOSAL TO RELEASE 450 PRISONERS IN EXCHANGE FOR SHALIT.
4. TEDDY KOLLEK, 1911-2007.
HATZOFEH
1. Yesterday: Chief-of-Staff Dan Halutz summarized IDF investigations following Second Lebanon War:
„IF WINOGRAD COMMITTEE DECIDES – I WILL RESIGN IMMEDIATELY.”
„I am not making light of the failures but neither am I ignoring the achievements,” Chief-of-Staff said. Regarding repeated calls for his resignation: I will go if Winograd Committee so decides – „I haven’t heard that those over me are calling for me to go.”
2. JERUSALEM BOWS ITS HEAD.
Legendary Mayor of Jerusalem Teddy Kollek passed away yesterday, aged 95. Kollek served as Jerusalem mayor for 28 years, in which he greatly contributed to renewed building in the capital. Heavy mourning in Jerusalem. Kollek to be laid to rest in national national heroes’ section of Mt. Herzl cemetery.
3. EARTHQUAKE AT INCOME TAX AUTHORITY – SUSPICION: APPOINTMENTS IN RETURN FOR TAX BREAKS.
4. HAMAS: WE WILL AGREE TO RELEASE SHALIT IN EXCHANGE FOR 450 PRISONERS.

MA’ARIV
1. Earthquake. Suspicion: Senior Tax Authority officials took bribes.
TAX SCANDAL.
(…). According to suspicion, criminal elements and business men have taken over income tax, VAT and customs.
2. TEDDY KOLLEK, 1911-2007.

YEDIOT AHRONOT
1. Senior police official: Tax Authority run like criminal organization.
INCOME TAX [AUTHORITY] UNDER ARREST.
The system: Businessmen made jobs for senior Income tax officials and received millions in tax breaks in return. The raid: Armed with tapes, police began investigating 22 suspects yesterday and carried out arrests. Those involved: Tax Authority Director Jacky Matza, former director Eitan Robb and Director of PM’s Bureau Shula Zaken. The suspicion: Politicians also involved in corruption.
2. HALUTZ: „THEY DIDN’T TELL ME TO GO.”
Chief-of-Staff summarized investigations and declared: I am not resigning.
3. 1911-2007.
Tomorrow: Jerusalem residents to take leave of legendary Mayor Teddy Kollek, who passed away yesterday.
BreuerPress-info