Summary of Editorials from the Hebrew Press
Yediot Aharonot says regarding the thousands of housing units being planned for eastern Jerusalem and towards Maale Adumim: „It is not a housing solution; this is a political-diplomatic statement with only one meaning; it is an unmistakable declaration of intentions.” The author quotes National Union MK Yaakov Katz, shortly after Prime Minister Ariel Sharon carried out the disengagement „‘In Judea and Samaria, what Arik built, not even Sharon can move.'” The Americans understand this, and so do Netanyahu and Eli Yishai. And there isn’t anything here about bad manners. This is a clear statement that Netanyahu cannot disregard and claim ‘I did not know’. This statement…is a picture to the entire world, which is liable to explode in our faces.”
Ma’ariv argues that „In Israel, many view a boycott as a demonic threat, but in reality it preaches non-violent opposition and was created as an alternative to years of terror.”
Yisrael Hayom purports that a Palestinian might say: „And here is our new square. We named it after the most praised hero in the history of our people, the legendary freedom fighter who opposed the occupation and was killed while carrying out her duty, the holy martyr Dalal Mughrabi, may God have mercy. What did she do? Oh, she kidnapped a bus together with her comrades and murdered 37 Israelis, and 70 more were wounded. Children? Women? Of course. They are all soldiers in the army of occupation; they were all children of death. They were always like that. And what about the peace talks? Don’t worry, the Jews are dying to speak with us, it doesn’t matter what we do. What do they do there? Speak. We complain about the Israelis, request more easing of restrictions and more funds, and then we issue a statement to the press that the Israelis are obdurate and not willing to compromise. A lot of those in the media think that. Those Jews, they have an ancient custom: To blame themselves no matter what.'” The author then quotes a Palestinian director who once produced a play in which Dalal Mughrabi was the central figure, „‘Dalal is a symbol of Palestine. We see Dalal as belonging to the Palestinian conscience.’ Penetrating words. That is the Palestinian conscience, and any nonsense on peace talks and agreements and cooperation and the rest of the political spittle are just foam on the surface of our bloody history.”
The Jerusalem Post argues that the current government is dysfunctional, and notes that while „Israel could not have asked for a more positive beginning to US Vice President Joe Biden’s visit this week,” Netanyahu’s statement that he had not been aware that the announcement to build 16,000 housing units in east Jerusalem was going to be made makes the government look completely incompetent. The editor adds that „It seems fair to assume that, in the long run, the truly deep and significant bonds between our two countries will endure. The shared values and interests, many of them encapsulated in the commitment to freedom and democracy, plainly outweigh even significant missteps like this one,” but nevertheless feels that „Now Israel must set about rebuilding that trust.”
Haaretz declares that „The government once again made a foolhardy, unnecessary and damaging mistake, with the announcement that the Jerusalem District Planning and Building Committee has given the go-ahead to build 1,600 new housing units in the Ramat Shlomo neighborhood, which sits beyond the Green Line, on the same day that U.S. Vice President Joe Biden arrived in the capital for a visit,” and states: „Rather than making conciliatory gestures toward the Palestinians and promoting an end to the conflict, the prime minister is sabotaging any chance of an agreement on the issue of Jerusalem.”
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