HEADLINES FROM THE IZRAELI HEBREW PRESS
HA’ARETZ:1. FORMER CIA DIRECTOR: ATTACK ON IRANIAN NUCLEAR REACTOR
– NOT THIS YEAR
Interview with Michael Hayden.
2. NETANYAHU CONVENES SECRET MEETING TO DISCUSS DECREES IN 2013 BUDGET.
MA’ARIV
1. CONTACTS WITH THE US: GUARANTEES AND ARMS IN EXCHANGE FOR POSTPONING ATTACK Trying to lower the flames: Reports in the US that Obama is weighing announcement that it would attack Iran if it crosses „Red Line”, as part of package deal being formulated with Israel.
YEDIOT AHRONOT
1. NETANYAHU TO US: „SET A RED LINE AND WE WILL NOT ATTACK”
The New York Times: Obama considering setting Iran an ultimatum. PM: In such a case the chances of a confrontation would shrink.
YISRAEL HAYOM
1. White House: Yesterday’s headline in Yediot Ahronot
– misleading and false.
BATTLE FOR THE RED LINE
PM demands that US and the world set Iran a red line: „The greater the resolve and the clearer the red line, the less likely we’ll have conflict.” Report: Obama considering announcement regarding the threshold, the crossing of which would lead to an attack.
WALLA!
1. SUSPICION OF JEWISH TERRORISM: „JESUS IS A MONKEY” AND „MIGRON” ON LATRUN MONASTERY
Hateful graffiti sprayed on monastery in Ayalon Valley, and its large wooden entrance door set on fire. Police form special investigation team. Suspicion: Act against background of Migron eviction.
2. HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE TO WEINSTEIN: EXPLAIN WHY NO INDICTMENT FILED AGAINST ZOABI
State Attorney ordered to explain the ‘evidentiary difficulties’ which led to the closing of the file against the Israelis who were present on the Mavi Marmara.
NANA10
1. HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE TO ATTORNEY GENERAL: EXPLAIN WHY MK ZOABI WAS NOT INDICTED FOR HER PART IN THE GAZA FLOTILLA
High Court of Justice orders Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein to explain why MK Hanin Zoabi and the head of the northern branch of the Islamic movement, Sheikh Raad Salah, did not stand trial for their part in the Gaza flotilla.
2. ACT OF HATE AGAINST CHRISTIANS: DOOR OF LATRUN MONASTERY SET ALIGHT, GRAFFITI AGAINST CHRISTIANITY SPRAYED
[Headlines for Walla! and Nana10 are from their websites as of 10:55.] ______________________________
SUMMARY OF OP-EDS FROM THE HEBREW PRESS
Two papers discuss various aspects of US-Israel relations in light of the continuing Iranian threat:
Yediot Ahronot believes that in order to both clarify various points and clear the air, „Netanyahu needs to pay a secret visit to Washington without waiting for the UN General Assembly. He needs to meet with Obama and clarify with him the conditions that would allow Israel to gain time and give the US and the international community a final opportunity to stop Iran without an attack.” The author believes that, „Israel cannot attack on its own without understandings with the US. On the other hand, it is not sure that the US will use force if it becomes clear that sanctions and diplomacy are not stopping the Iranian nuclear project. Given the large gap in military abilities, America’s window of opportunity is much longer than Israel’s. Therefore, one solution is to provide Israel with capabilities it lacks and thus extend its window. The US is likely to accede to such a solution.” The paper concludes: „Direct, secret negotiations and creative solutions will put an end to the insane clash [between the Netanyahu government and the Obama administration], and boost both the uncertainty in Tehran and the pressure on its leaders.”
Yisrael Hayom suggests that, „Obama could have resolved this entire issue very simply: Instead of setting red lines, he could have given the Iranians an ultimatum even for a date after November 6. His would reassure Israel, display toughness to the Iranians and show US voters the determination of the president of the #1 superpower in the world, as is expected of him.” However, the author asserts, „But Obama is not doing this in the meantime. Not because he cannot, but because he simply does not want to. One could argue many things about the American President, but about one thing there is no argument
– his integrity. The ideologue-President does not believe in a military attack, not today and not tomorrow. What a pity that the US President who, in April 2009 in Prague, unveiled his vision of a world free of nuclear weapons<www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/Remarks-By-President-Barack-Obama-In-Prague-As-Delivered>, is liable, if he wins reelection, to be the US President on whose watch Iran becomes a nuclear power.”
__________
Ma’ariv discusses the recent rise in gasoline prices in Israel and suggests, „Israeli gasoline is expensive mainly due to the Finance Ministry’s insatiable appetite for excise taxes and VAT, which constitute 51% of its consumer price.” The author notes, „The high excise, so the Finance Ministry says, aids in fighting air pollution and in reducing environmental ills,” but adds, „The Ministry must admit that this is an unsuccessful and pathetic excuse. Without the high excise and VAT, NIS 18 billion worth of revenue would evaporate from state coffers like so much gasoline fumes. There is no immediate alternative for the loss of revenue from fuel taxes unless you are interested in raising VAT by another 4%.” The paper also dismisses the claim that Israeli gasoline is not relatively more expensive than gasoline in Europe and points out that not only do European drivers enjoy an approximately 25% greater buying power than their Israeli counterparts but, „European drivers have a range of alternatives to cars, such as buses, electric trams, subways and bicycles.” The author points out that another price hike is due to take effect just before the upcoming Sukkot<goisrael.com/Tourism_Eng/Tourist%20Information/Jewish%20Themes/Holidays/Pages/Sukkot.aspx> holiday [1-7 October] and says that Prime Minister Netanyahu and Finance Minister Yuval Steinitz, „should now think about how to allow drivers to enjoy trips over the holiday without breaking into their provident funds.”
BreuerPress info
