Summary of Editorials from the Hebrew Press

Yediot Aharonot comments on recent incidents in which IDF soldiers hung signs protesting the evacuation of Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria and asserts that „Whoever sees the Kfir Brigade soldiers’ two negligible signs as signs of an internal rebellion within the army are merely expressing their own thoughts and fears, or wishes.” 


Summary of Editorials from the Hebrew Press


Yediot Aharonot comments on recent incidents in which IDF soldiers hung signs protesting the evacuation of Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria and asserts that „Whoever sees the Kfir Brigade soldiers’ two negligible signs as signs of an internal rebellion within the army are merely expressing their own thoughts and fears, or wishes.”  The author suggests that „The significance of the signs is exactly as it appears in the pictures: A handful of dumb and undisciplined soldiers, whose politics are known.  The army knows how to – and must – punish the soldiers.  The substantive problem is with the hangers-on – the true-believers on the Right and the prophets of doom on the Left.”
 
Ma’ariv says that „President Obama has determined that construction in Gilo will hurt the diplomatic talks and is liable to lead the Palestinians towards dangerous opposition.  Not Yitzhar, not Gush Etzion, Gilo, an amiable Jerusalem neighborhood that no sane and Zionist left-winger views as a settlement.”  The author accuses the Obama administration of thumbing his nose at President Bush’s de facto recognition of the settlement blocs and warns that „Jerusalem is also in his sights.”  The paper declares that „The Palestinians have never agreed to give up so much as a millimeter,” and adds that „The eternal proof is their refusal to recognize Israel as the national state of the Jewish People.  On the right of return, the Palestinians are united around sweeping opposition to any compromise.”  The author contrasts the foregoing with what he deems to be a steady erosion in Israel’s position, and believes that „Today’s Likud is yesterday’s Meretz,” and avers that it has been this erosion which has, in part, pushed the Obama administration into taking the positions that it has.
 
Yisrael Hayom notes that „The 900 planned apartments in Gilo will still be under construction when President Obama finishes his term in the White House, not his first term but his second, if he is re-elected.”  The author speculates that neither Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu nor President Obama are interested in a confrontation now but admits that the planning and construction committee’s approval – which is „no more than a declaration” – is drawing international attention away from such issues as Iran’s nuclear project.  The paper states that Gilo „is part of the Israeli consensus,” and recalls that Gilo has also been shot at by Palestinian terrorists.
 
Nana10 argues that „The gap between carrying out orders in the IDF and the genuine difficulty of many soldiers in dealing with missions to evacuate civilians is a real and painful gap,” but „opposes the legitimacy right-wingers are giving to the protests of those who wear the uniform.”  The author declares that „Refusal is not the path of religious Zionism, which has always championed proceeding together with all sections of the public,” and calls for a return to this sense of a common mission.
The Jerusalem Post observes the glee with which the public has received the news of the elimination of the drought levy, despite the fact that it has been replaced with draconian hikes in water prices for everyone without exception, and points out that „A progressive moderate levy has been replaced by a regressive drastic price rise imposed via the back door, with no one watching or objecting.”
Haaretz discusses the problem of divided loyalty in the IDF, and comments that „Before the IDF becomes a phalangist army that will destroy democracy, it must make it clear to the hesder soldiers that they have only one commander and must obey every order – unless it is blatantly illegal. Otherwise the government may once again have to consider dismantling the hesder yeshivas.”

 

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