Yediot Aharonot argues that „The bitter truth is that we and Bibi have lost the US. Who but Netanyahu knows that with the present administration, and certainly in the White House, there is (almost) nothing random. Everything is planned in advance…” The author asks „What has happened that Bibi has suddenly become a welcomed son in Washington? Simple, the Obama administration has also learned that a straight line is not always the shortest route between two points, certainly not in the Middle East. The author opines that „In his first year he [Obama] has done more, for better or for worse, than many other Presidents – and from his viewpoint this is only the start. He has seven more years to change the world.”
Ma’ariv believes that „The opposition of western counties to Israeli policy is much more serious than we think. It is a shame that the person who is supposed to deal with it is Lieberman.” The author contends that „Lieberman constitutes accumulative damage. He is exactly the man whom the world identifies as the aggressive, undemocratic Israel that is insensitive to the sufferings of others.”
Yisrael Hayom discusses the public diplomacy challenge facing Israel in the wake of the Gaza flotilla. „The flotilla is being led by international organizations and various human rights warriors. In a war between them and a country, the country will always lose.” The author advocates that „We must invest efforts in [the use of] soft force, paradoxically. We must be positive and creative.” He contends that „The proper combination in order to succeed in the new war is that between soft and hard power in order to arrive at the desired level of wise power.”
The Jerusalem Post discusses Israel’s existential predicament, which was emphasized during last week’s civil defense drills. The editor finds it remarkable that the world so readily overlooks the stranglehold Syria and Hizbullah have over Lebanon, „just as it systematically disregards the frightening and explosive arsenal it has allowed Hizbullah to amass despite UN blandishments and big-power guarantees,” and states that „In the event of renewed conflict, Israel would doubtless once more find itself cynically censured. Whether anyone overseas wants to give Israel a hearing on not, our government must do its utmost to at least alert the international community –diplomatic, media and legal – about what is shaping up here.”
Haaretz decries the governmental inclination to ignore inconvenient rulings of the High Court of Justice, and terms these violations „the latest manifestation of contempt for the rule of law.” The editor states that „Ultimately, the executive branch is responsible for enforcing court rulings. Failure to do so endangers a polarized society, one where applying the law equally to all is a precondition for existence.”
BreuerPress-info
