22,03,2004 HAARETZ 1. NETANYAHU SETS CONDITIONS FOR SUPPORTING DISENGAGEMENT; PMS AIDES: POSSIBLE TO LIVE WITH THEM. Sharon plan: Withdrawal from entire Gaza Strip and limited evacuation on West Bank. PM makes it clear that, In the end, we will disengage completely, even without workers. Netanyahu: Train has left the station, conditions must now be set. Conditions: Control of crossings, completion of fence before withdrawal. Also demands that US announce its opposition to right of return. Sharon: I will not hesitate to set up different government, even with haredim.
2. SEVEN PALESTINIANS, INCLUDING A WOMAN, KILLED BY IDF FIRE IN GAZA STRIP. Dozens of protestors injured in confrontations near separation fence. 3. BEREAVED MOTHER, 54, GIVES BIRTH TO TWINS IN ORDER TO RETURN TO LIFE. St.-Sgt. Benny Kikis killed at Ein Ariq; his mother underwent fertility treatments and gave birth yesterday to a boy and a girl. HATZOFEH 1. Netanyahu surprises: Supports Sharons disengagement plan albeit with conditions. ASTONISHMENT ON RIGHT. During Cabinet meeting, Finance Minister presented conditions for his support of Sharons plan: Freedom of security in Gaza Strip, completion of fence and US opposition to right of return. Stresses: From moment PM officially announced existence of plan, it was on its way, and therefore, it must be conditioned. Disappointment on right, which expected Netanyahu to lead opposition to disengagement. 2. 54-YEAR-OLD WOMAN, WHO LOST SON IN TERRORIST ATTACK, GIVES BIRTH TO TWINS. 3. BRITISH SPYING ON FOREIGN STUDENTS – INCLUDING ISRAELIS. MAARIV 1. (
). STATE WITNESS AGAINST [SHAS MK AND FORMER MINISTER SHLOMO] BENIZRI. (
). 2. MOFAZ: EVACUATION TO INCREASE WEST BANK-BASED TERRORISM. Likud ministers hold stormy discussion of disengagement. Netanyahu – who gave seal of approval to Sharons plan – took most of criticism. YEDIOT AHRONOT 1. POLICE TO RECOMMEND: PUT MK BENIZRI ON TRIAL. (
). 2. STOCK EXCHANGE EN ROUTE TO ALL-TIME PEAK. TA-100 Index one point shy of making history. More positive data: Jump in combined index. 3. SHARON DECIDES TO GIVE UP ON REFERENDUM. Disappointment on right over Netanyahus remarks on disengagement. ______________________________ SUMMARY OF EDITORIALS FROM THE HEBREW PRESS Yediot Ahronot analyzes Finance Minister Benjamin Netanyahus remarks yesterday in which he conditioned his support of Prime Minister Ariel Sharon s disengagement plan on completing the security fence, maintaining control of the crossing points and securing US statements in favor of Jewish settlement blocs and against a Palestinian right-of-return. The editors wonder what security fence – and along what route – Finance Minister Netanyahu means, note that Prime Minister Sharon also supports retaining control of the crossing points, and question which settlement blocs the Finance Minister is referring to. The paper asserts that, The public must know what route he [Finance Minister Netanyahu] envisions for the fence, which settlement blocs he supports and what he really thinks about the disengagement, especially since he, sees himself as the next Prime Minister. The editors urge Finance Minister Netanyahu to, express a clear position and maybe even stand by it. Yediot Ahronot, in its second editorial, says that, If the public votes with its feet against the recommendations of the Counter-Terrorism HQ, and streams en masse to Istanbul and Sinai during Passover – then this HQ should begin to ask itself several tough questions. If its recommendations carry no weight – then who needs it? And if the Foreign Ministry so sharply and so crudely attacks its recommendations, then perhaps this body – which is supposed to coordinate sensitive security issues between government ministries – has a fundamental problem regarding the weakness of its position and its teeth? And if this HQ is still vital, it needs a housecleaning. Hatzofeh warns of Al Qaedas nuclear ambitions but cautions against rushing to publish rumors and unfounded reports as if they were facts. BPI.
