HEADLINES FROM THE HEBREW PRESS

HA’ARETZ 1. Ahead of Sharm summit. RICE: STRENGTHEN ABU MAZEN SO THAT OPPORTUNITY IS NOT MISSED. Abu Mazen in contacts with Egypt on collection of weapons from organizations on West Bank and in Gaza Strip; Mofaz approves release of Barghouti’s son. 2. STATE PROSECUTOR’S OFFICE TO HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE: HAGUE DECISION ON FENCE IRRELEVANT BECAUSE ISRAELI POSITION WAS NOT PRESENTED THERE. Position of State Prosecutor’s Office: 1) Decision based on partial and not updated data; 2) Since opinion was handed down, route of fence has been significantly changed; 3) Government is due to change substantial sections of fence on West Bank soon; and 4) State Prosecutor’s Office position approved by senior political leadership. 3. MAJOR R. RETURNED TO GIVATI BRIGADE. Key prosecution witness in “confirming the kill” case admitted that he didn’ t tell truth. Therefore, court decided to release Major R. from detention and allow him to return to his unit until end of trial. HATZOFEH 1. Condoleeza Rice in Israel: Continue making tough decisions. RICE: DON’T TAKE UNILATERAL STEPS IN JERUSALEM. US Secy. of State: There is opportunity to establish two democratic states side by side. Ahead of Sharm summit tomorrow, Cabinet approved gesture to Palestinians: Gradual release of 900 security prisoners, without blood on their hands, temporary freeze on actions against hundreds of fugitives and approval for construction of seaport in Gaza. Mofaz: Must give controlled opportunity to Abu Mazen. Sharon: Zeevy’s murderers will not be released. 2. COMPANY COMMANDER ACCUSED OF CONFIRMING KILL RELEASED FROM DETENTION. Key witness admits he lied in order to bring about commander’s expulsion. 3. GOVERNMENT TRYING TO ACHIEVE MAJORITY FOR EVACUATION COMPENSATION LAW. 4. RECOMMENDATIONS ON INTEGRATING ALL SECTORS IN NATIONAL CIVILIAN SERVICE APPROVED. MA’ARIV 1. Tomorrow: Sharm summit in shadow of terrorism threats. CONCERN: HEZBOLLAH WILL ASSASSINATE ABU MAZEN. “There is concern for your life,” Arab sources told Palestinian President. Abu Mazen appealed to Americans and European Union and warned: Hezbollah is terrorist organization that endangers regional stability. 2. MAJOR R. RETURNING TO ACTION. Three months after explosion of confirmation of kill affair, main prosecution witness astounds: I lied. “”I was confused by flow of events,” he explained. Company commander released from detention following remarks. 3. “DISENGAGEMENT: 70 TERRORIST ATTACKS A DAY.” Thus security sources estimate. YEDIOT AHRONOT 1. 24 hours to Sharm summit. “YOU WILL NEED TO MAKE TOUGH DECISIONS,” US Secy. of State Condoleeza Rice declared in her meetings in Israel. Requested: Don’t embarrass Abu Mazen with unilateral actions in Jerusalem. Abu Mazen: I will announce halt to attacks even if it endangers my life. Sharon to invite President Mubarak to visit Israel. 2. SOLDIER LIED, COMPANY COMMANDER RELEASED. Dramatic turning point in confirmation of kill case. Prosecution: We have other evidence against him. 3. CHANCE OF SNOW IN JERUSALEM TONIGHT; KINNERET RISES BY 17 CENTIMETERS. ______________________________ SUMMARY OF EDITORIALS FROM THE HEBREW PRESS Yediot Ahronot notes that despite the fact that there will be no US presence at the Sharm el-Sheikh summit tomorrow, American interest in the meeting remains high. The editors suggest that, “The Americans are not taking the Sharm summit lightly; they are here, more than ever.” Hatzofeh comments on Russia’s refusal to stop supplying Iran with fuel for its nuclear program. The paper calls on the Russian Jewish community to oppose this policy. Yediot Ahronot, in its second editorial, reviews foreign investment in Israel in 2004. BPI-info