HEADLINES FROM THE HEBREW PRESS

HA’ARETZ 1. LAPID TO SHARON: UNITY GOVERNMENT WITH LABOR – OR ELECTIONS. Shinui threatening to quit government if hundreds of millions of shekels are channeled to United Torah Judaism in exchange for supporting 2005 budget. 2. US INCREASES INVOLVEMENT: SENDING NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER TO ISRAEL. 3. “PLAY THE VIOLIN FOR US,” SOLDIERS ORDERED PALESTINIAN AT CHECKPOINT. HATZOFEH 1. CHANNEL 10: STATE PROSECUTOR’S OFFICE TO RECOMMEND TRYING OMRI SHARON. In connection to affair related to party financing law. Law says that not only perpetrator but head of party must also be tried. (…). 2. ISRAEL: WE WILL NOT NEGOTIATE PEACE UNDER FIRE. This said after Larsen said that Syria is ready to resume peace talks. 3. WARRIOR LAID TO REST. Amidst state leaders, family members, IDF generals, thousands of citizens and comrades-in-arms, Rafael Eitan was laid to rest yesterday at Tel Adashim cemetery. (…). 4. CHIEF-OF-STAFF REACTS TO CONFIRMATION OF KILL AFFAIR: INVESTIGATION WAS SEVERE FAILURE. MA’ARIV 1. NIS 350 million for haredim in exchange for support for budget. ULTIMATUM: SHINUI AND LABOR VS. SHARON. Lapid informed PM last night: We will quit coalition if you agree to United Torah Judaism’s demands. Thus Shinui Chairman joins Peres’s demand: Unity or elections. Two men have been coordinating moves in recent days. 2. “STOP BUILDING THE FENCE.” President says in Ma’ariv interview: Fence is problematic. If there is a ceasefire – worthwhile to stop building it. YEDIOT AHRONOT 1. Non-profit associations affair: PM’s son en route to indictment. “OMRI TO BE TRIED.” Thus Tel Aviv District Prosecutor’s Office recommends. Legal establishment assessment: Recommendation to be accepted. Justice ministry: Decision yet to be made. (…). 2. SETTLERS BOYCOTT OF TNUVA. Due to Director-General’s remarks that controlling territories is a cancer. 3. ASSAD: EXTENDING HAND IN PEACE. Israel: All talk, he is encouraging terrorism.


______________________________ EDITORIALS FROM THE HEBREW PRESS Yediot Ahronot commends citizens of various eastern European countries for fighting for democracy in light of obvious fraud in recent elections there and reproaches Israel for being a country, “in which the civilian does not have a real feeling of political power.” Yediot Ahronot, in its second editorial, rebukes leaders for not taking seriously UN envoy Terje Larsen’s comments that Syria is ready for negotiations. Hatzofeh eulogizes the late former minister and IDF Chief-of-Staff Rafael Eitan. bpi-info