Summary of Editorials from the Hebrew Press

03.06.2004.
Yediot Aharonot comments …
Hatzofeh says that, …
The Jerusalem Post writes: …
Haaretz comments: …

Yediot Aharonot comments that, due to the political system, “There is an imbalance between the representation of the government and its effectiveness,” since the regime is heavily based on proportional representation, “and therefore the establishment finds it difficult to make decisions on issues that touch our souls.” The structure of the system, “allows the right to block any critical process from the left,” and vice versa. The editors point out that five Israeli prime ministers have — in the past – attempted to implement radical changes, but only (Menachem Begin) was successful. The paper asks whether Sharon will succeed and claims that, “if he accepts Tzippi [Livni]’s compromise, it is a sign that he himself is unsure. The likelihood is that Tzippi’s compromise will only delay the failure of his initiative for a short while.”

Hatzofeh says that, “Sderot has become a border city like Kiryat Shmona. Kassam rockets land in its territory…and Sharon’s government is helpless in the face of this embarrassing reality.” The paper adds, “The Kassams falling on Sderot are just a very small example of what all southern cities will suffer if Sharon’s disengagement plan is implemented.” The editors comment that Prime Minister Sharon must clarify his policies and position on issues such as the Palestinian right of return and the final borders of the State of Israel.

The Jerusalem Post writes: „Supreme Court President Aharon Barak has just told attorneys appearing before him on behalf of the state that it’s unlikely any ruling will be handed down before the end of the year [on a petition against further construction of the security fence]. This means many more months wasted, during which the lives of countless Israeli civilians are put at unnecessary risk… Each day in which construction is delayed, for whatever procedural reason, is a day which can claim innocent Israeli lives. There is no reason the injunction can’t be lifted forthwith, if need be with the proviso that route readjustments may be ordered in future. But whatever the Court decides it must do so more quickly, mindful of the exigencies in the world outside. The Court must not operate in a vacuum, as if the dangers faced daily by the citizenry are none of its concern and are secondary to judicial niceties.”

Haaretz comments: „Former chief Sephardi rabbi Eliahu Bakshi-Doron’s call for ending the Orthodox monopoly over marriages in Israel and permitting free choice was an exceptional demonstration of public courage. The rabbi argued that the Marriage Law, which states that marriages in Israel must be conducted according to religious law, was important in its day, „but today it is completely neutralized and only creates hatred”… Rabbi Bakshi-Doron’s statements thus demonstrate his sensitivity to and awareness of what is happening among the Israeli public, most of which is secular, but also – and to no less a degree – his concern for the status of halakha (Jewish law) and for that of the Israeli rabbinate. No discussion about marriage will henceforth be able to ignore his urging, and no one who participates in such a discussion, whether he be secular or religious, will be able to dismiss the rabbi’s deep commitment to these two principles, which appear contradictory only on the surface.”