HAARETZ 1. HAMAS AND PA ON VERGE OF AGREEMENT; ISRAEL: WE MAY NOT NECESSARILY ACCEPT IT. Mofaz: Abu Mazen and Dahlan showing lack of leadership and determination.
2. YAALON: IDEA OF ELIMINATING ARAFAT WAS CONSIDERED IN PAST BUT REJECTED OUTRIGHT. 3. Sharon investigations: Israel waiting on results of Austrian investigation in Cyril Kern affair. GREEK ISLE: OMRI AND GILAD SHARON TO BE QUESTIONED SOON. Police looking for source of funds that were deposited in Kerns account. Investigators concerned that suspects may be coordinating testimony. Greek isle affair: Sharons sons to be investigated under caution. Gilad Sharons links with contractor David Appel to be examined. Fraud squad to request Rubinsteins permission to investigate PM. 4. AMERICAN ENVOY TO DAMASCUS WILL WARN AGAINST SUPPORTING TERROR. 5. Sharon region: Transfer of responsibility from police to IDF confusing residents. SEAM LINE COMMUNITIES NOT CLEAR ON WHOM TO TURN TO IN EVENT OF ATTACK. 6. ON EVE OF CASINO DECISION: STUDIES SHOW THAT GAMBLING INCREASES CRIME AND ADDICTION. HATZOFEH 1. Outrage in Israel over Powells condemnation of elimination of terrorist Qawasmeh. MOFAZ: WE WILL RESUME COMPREHENSIVE WAR AGAINST HAMAS. Said that he has major doubts regarding Palestinians will to fight terror. Quartet foreign ministers meet in Jordan to discuss Middle East situation. Minister Shalom: We support transfer of security control for entire Gaza Strip and Bethlehem area to Palestinians. PA Local Government Minister: We are ready to accept responsibility in Gaza Strip and Bethlehem. 2. DAUGHTER BORN TO LIAT LICHTERMAN, WHOSE LATE HUSBAND WAS MURDERED IN ATTACK. MAARIV 1. US Secy. of State Powell in Maariv interview: I am disappointed. WE HAVE TWO WEEKS TO SAVE ROAD MAP. Today: Hamas likely to announce its agreement to ceasefire. But Hamas pamphlet warns: We will avenge Qawasmeh despite hudna. Mofaz: Abu Mazens refusal to accept security responsibility likely to determine his fate. 2. SHARP DROP IN IMMIGRATION TO ISRAEL IN 2003. 3. ONLY 6% OF PILOTS COURSE GRADUATES ARE RELIGIOUS. YEDIOT AHRONOT 1. Israel: Hamass conditions for ceasefire are unacceptable. SHARON: SETTLERS SHOULD BUILD BUT QUIETLY. PM: Need not celebrate every building permit. Powell on Qawasmeh elimination: Provocation. _____________________________ SUMMARY OF EDITORIALS FROM THE HEBREW PRESS Yediot Ahronot comments on Prime Minister Sharons statement that There will be no negotiations under fire and suggests that this policy no longer has any affect on what happens in reality, since Israel removes this possibility just by talking about a grace period for the Palestinian Authority, in which the political process will continue despite terror attacks. The editors suggest that, Both sides are playing a game in which their leaders turn their heads to the side, to the big American arbitrator. The mouth expresses our innermost needs, exudes stubbornness and talks about victory, but our eyes look towards the cards being waved by the referee from Washington. However, as time goes on, the US is becoming more involved with its own internal matters, which the paper believes will allow both sides to demonstrate further aggression and antagonism towards each other, which will inevitably lead to everything exploding. Yediot Ahronot, in its second editorial, praises Labor Party Chairman Shimon Peres for his achievements at the summit in Jordan and says that, The rapid changes of government in Israel is a reason given by many Arabs why it is impossible to rely on us. The paper suggests that Shimon Peres represents a certain amount of security for Arab leaders, as he was present at the first Davos convention, he was in Casablanca, and in Cairo, and says that Peres is as eternal in Middle Eastern politics as any other Arab leader. Hatzofeh says that, Sharon is collapsing. He is unable to stand up to pressure, he is proving to the Palestinians time and again that we only understand the use of force. The editors argue that the road map has also failed and call on the Prime Minister to step down. Hatzofeh, in its second editorial, condemns the lax attitude in Israel towards violence against women and says that, Israeli citizens tolerance towards terror against women has long since passed all acceptable levels.
