26 Apr 2004 HEADLINES FROM THE HEBREW PRESS HAARETZ 1. BORDER POLICEMAN KILLED IN WEST BANK SHOOTING ATTACK; HIGH ALERT DUE TO FEAR OF ATTACK OVER HOLIDAY. Three border policemen lightly injured near Hebron; terror cell operating in northern Jerusalem apprehended. 2. IDF: Preparing for disengagement. YAALON: POLITICAL EXPLOITATION OF MY COMMENTS CAUSING CONSIDERABLE DAMAGE. 3. Remembrance Day: Herzliya Gymnasium in Tel Aviv 99 YEARS, 224 FALLEN. 4. HAMAS LEADERSHIP: A-ZAHAR, HANIYEH AND A-SIAM Decisions made by consultation but there is a clear hierarchy. 5. NETANYAHU, LIVNAT AND SHALOM TO SHARON: SUPPORT DISENGAGEMENT BUT WILL NOT HELP WITH CAMPAIGN. HATZOFEH 1. Eve of Independence Day: 6.8 million residents in State of Israel. 21,781 security personnel and civilians have fallen in Israels wars since 1860. FIRST 56 YEARS. Today at 11:00 two-minute siren will be heard and memorial ceremonies will then begin in 43 cemeteries around the country. Police and security forces on high alert in order to secure Remembrance Day and Independence Day events. President Katsav, at main ceremony at Western Wall, which opened Remembrance Day events: War for our freedom has not ended – there are still those who want to destroy us, there is still talk of the destruction of Israel. Tonight at 20:00 – Remembrance Day events will close and Independence Day ceremonies will begin with traditional torch-lighting at Mount Herzl.
2. ON EVENING OF REMEMBRANCE DAY: ONE DEAD IN HEBRON Close to 21:00, shots fired at car in which three Israelis were traveling in near Hebron. One person critically wounded by fire and later died of his wounds. Two others lightly wounded. One hour later, another civilian was severely wounded in ambush near Efrat. 3. ECONOMY JUMPS. Exports jumped by 22% in January-February; Treasury planning further tax reductions following improvement. 4. POLICE, IN COURT: SUSPICION THAT JERICHO CASINO OWNERS DID FAVOURS FOR SHARON FAMILY. Police asking that documents that could prove connection between Austrian millionaire Shalaf and Prime Ministers son Gilad Sharon, be revealed. Shalafs lawyers: No connection to investigation into Sharons family. 5. LIKUD REVOLUTION AGAINST SHARON. Knesset Speaker Ruby Rivlin planning to attack disengagement plan tomorrow at memorial for those who fell in Gush Etzion. Netanyahu and Livnat told Prime Minister that they would not take part in efforts to convince Likud members to support disengagement plan – even after they were summoned to talks with Sharon. 5. MINISTER PORAZ GRANTS ID CARDS TO PARENTS OF NON-JEWISH SOLDIERS. 6. TERRORISTS WHO PERPETRATED SHOOTING ATTACK IN NORTHERN JERUSALEM APPREHENDED. Three caught red handed as they were trying to perpetrate additional shooting attack. 7. GOVERNOR OF BANK OF ISRAEL: NO REDUCTION IN INTEREST RATES. For first time, no change after 13 continuous months of interest rate reductions. MAARIV 1. IN PAIN AND WITH PRIDE. Today: Nation pays tribute today to the 21,782 sons and daughters who fell in Israels wars. Tonight, like every year, everything will change at 20:00, and from pain pride will flourish. (
). 2. LAST NIGHT: BORDER POLICEMAN KILLED IN HEBRON SHOOTING ATTACK. 3. TENNENBAUM DID NOT REVEAL SENSITIVE INFORMATION. 4. SECURITY AT FINAL-FOUR – LIKE THE AIRPORT. YEDIOT AHRONOT 1. At 11:00: WE REMEMBER. With bowed heads we remember the 21,782 people who fell. 2. Tonight at 20:00 – We celebrate independence. WE CELEBRATE. With raised heads, we celebrate 56 years of the State of Israel. 3. REMEMBRANCE DAY EVENING: BORDER POLICEMAN KILLED IN SHOOTING ATTACK. Terrorists fired at patrol jeep near Hebron. Security forces on high alert due to fear of attack over holiday. ______________________________ SUMMARY OF EDITORIALS FROM THE HEBREW PRESS Both papers comment on various issues related to Israels 56th Independence Day, which begins this evening: Yediot Ahronot notes that, Despite its age, Israel still lacks basic signs of maturity. It still doesnt have final and recognized borders. It still doesnt have a capital city recognized by the world. It still doesnt have a constitution. And mainly, its residents still dont have peace and tranquility. The editors reflect on the past year: Objectively, it could be said that it wasnt a bad year. The economy returned to growth. A critical section of the fence was built. Railways were laid down. The terrorist organizations suffered blow after blow. The ISA scored impressive achievements. Foreign capital flowed into the country and greased the wheels of the economy. Exports flourished. Local culture flourished, as did the cinema. What was bad? Perhaps we must change the definition of a not bad year. How can a year be not bad when 185 members of the security forces and 137 civilians fell in the war against terror? How can it be not bad when unemployment hit new highs? When poverty broke records? How can it be OK when a dark cloud of fears of corruption and bribery hangs over the Prime ministers head? The editors note that, In another four years, Israel will be 60, and assert that, The time for maturity, for normalization, has come. The time has come to demarcate borders
The time has come to anchor public life in standards of law, morality and integrity
The time has come to end the conflict with our neighbors. The time has come to eliminate poverty, unemployment and imbalances in education. Hatzofeh criticizes the disengagement plan and declares, On the eve of the 56th Independence Day, let it be said to the Prime Minister, will all sadness and pain, that greater people than he failed when they raised a hand against the Land of Israel and its residents and uprooted Jews from their homes. BPI.
