HAARETZ 1. AFTER EIGHT YEARS IN AN EGYPTIAN PRISON: AZZAM AZZAM RETURNS HOME. 2. I HAVE BEEN REBORN, AZZAM TELLS THOUSANDS CELEBRATING IN MAGHAR. 3. IRAN AND HEZBOLLAH STEPPING UP ACTIVITIES IN TERRITORIES IN ORDER TO THWART CEASEFIRE. 4. OMRI SHARON: BROAD GOVERNMENT ISNT UNITY GOVERNMENT. 5. TA STOCK EXCHANGE TO ALL-TIME HIGH. HATZOFEH 1. ISA tells Azzam: Dont talk about harsh conditions in Egyptian prison – in order not to harm relations with Egypt. RETURNING HOME. I am happy to return to the homeland, Azzam said after crossing Egyptian border. Mubarak to Sharon: I released Azzam Azzam especially for you. Sharon promises Mubarak: I will consider releasing Palestinian prisoners. Expectation in Jerusalem that Egyptian Ambassador will return to Israel. Release agreed upon last week during Egyptian Foreign Ministers visit to Israel. 2. MINISTERS RESTRAINED: SHARON BARS THEM FROM TRAVELLING ABROAD. 13 Likud government ministers met for Cabinet meeting. Eli Yishai to Silvan Shalom: I will recommend to Rabbi Yosef not to join government. Shas to file no-confidence motion in government today – Left will save Sharon again. Likud Central Committee to be asked on Thursday to approve bringing Labor, United Torah Judaism and Shas into government. 3. IDF ERECTS ELECTRONIC FENCE ALONG BOTH SIDES OF ROAD TO GUSH KATIF. MAARIV 1. After eight years in Egyptian prison – Azzam Azzam returns to Israel. HOME. He went to buy fabric in Cairo and found himself caught up in espionage affair. I am innocent, claimed the Israeli from the Galilee, but Egyptian court sentenced him to 15 years imprisonment. After 96 months, Azzam Azzam went free yesterday. Mubarak to Sharon: This is especially for you. 2. TODAY: AMI AYALON JOINING LABOR. Senior figures concerned: Will want to be minister. 3. MOST BEAUTIFUL MARE IN THE WORLD: ISRAELI. Luvana defeated hundreds of contestants. YEDIOT AHRONOT 1. I have been reborn, said Israeli prisoner who returned home after eight nightmarish years in Egyptian prison. FREE. Entire country moved to tears by sight of prisoner returning to his family. Azzam to Yediot Ahronot: I am breathing the air again, here, in the country, and have returned to life. 2. AMI AYALON IN LABOR. Former ISA Director joining Labor today. 3. STOCK EXCHANGE CELEBRATES. Yesterdays rise broke all-time record.
______________________________ SUMMARY OF EDITORIALS FROM THE HEBREW PRESS Yediot Ahronot proposes that The Azzam deal symbolizes the end of the one-sided era and suggests that Egypts role will now be that of mediator. The editors argue that both the Egyptians and Prime Minister Ariel Sharon are acting out of political interests, that President Mubarak needs stability and Prime Minister Sharon needs to pass the Disengagement Plan. The paper argues that, It is easy to sell unilateral steps, but believes that, It is a dangerous illusion, since, At the end of the day, no forceful act, whether it is forwards or backwards, is successful if there is no other side. The editors believe that an opportunity has been created in the current climate, which under the right circumstances could create a new reality in the Middle East. Hatzofeh says that if Syrian President Bashar Assad were to arrive in Israel with messages of peace, most Israeli citizens would be enticed into giving up the whole of the Golan Heights. The editors claim that the release of Azzam Azzam yesterday was a small payment only in order to calm the situation, but believe that Egyptian President Mubarak, continues to produce his strategic weapons. The paper asserts that there has never been real peace with Egypt, claims that the Egyptians, have an interest in disengagement in order to bring terror closer to Ashkelon and Ashdod, and suggests that nothing has really changed in our relationship with Egypt. BPI-info
