HEADLINES FROM THE HEBREW PRESS

HA’ARETZ 1. SECRET AGREEMENT WITH FINANCE MINISTRY: HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF SHEKELS TO BE TRANSFERRED TO EDUCATION MINISTRY. Even though most funds are for restoring teaching hours, Minister Livnat is continuing with dismissal procedures for 4,500 teachers. (…). 2. Sharon in US, Laura Bush in Israel. JEWISH LEADERS IN NEW YORK BOLSTER PM: WE SUPPORT DISENGAGEMENT. 3. POLICE: THERE IS EVIDENTIARY BASIS TO TRY [ASHKENAZI CHIEF] RABBI METZGER. 4. SILVER MEDAL FOR ZEEVI AT EUROPEAN JUDO CHAMPIONSHIPS. Adrian Kordon wins bronze medal and secures third medal for Israel in Rotterdam competition. HATZOFEH 1. PM landed in New York last night in order to attend AIPAC conference. SHARON: DISENGAGEMENT WILL BE IMPLEMENTED AS SCHEDULED. PM thus rejected reports according to which uprooting plan would be postponed by several months. Chief-of-Staff also announced yesterday that there is no basis to these reports. Controversy regarding Israeli Ambassador to US Danny Ayalon expected to be focus of Sharon’s visit. Sharon says that while Ayalon is excellent ambassador, inquiry must be completed. PM to dedicate his visit to strengthening ties with Jewish community. 2. INTERIOR MINISTER TORPEDOING NITZANIM PLAN. Yesterday: Minister Ophir Pines-Paz signed document according to which Nitzanim dunes area will be declared nature reserve. 3. POLICE RECOMMEND: TRY [ASHKENAZI CHIEF] RABBI METZGER. 4. IDF MAJ.-GEN. SUSPECTED OF RECEIVING EXCESSIVE PAYMENTS. 5. “CHILD BOMBS”: 14-YEAR-OLD SUICIDE TERRORIST ARRESTED AT CHECKPOINT NEAR NABLUS. 6. ARIK ZEEVI WINS SILVER MEDAL AT EUROPEAN JUDO CHAMPIONSHIPS. MA’ARIV 1. Catcalls interrupted sections of PM’s New York speech. SHARON: DISENGAGEMENT WILL NOT BE POSTPONED. PM met by stormy demonstrations in US. Security source admits: Atmosphere doesn’t allow criticism of disengagement. 2. RECOMMENDATION: DISCIPLINARY STEPS. Chief Military Prosecutor determines: Maj.-Gen. Ton-Tal received inflated financial assistance. “Maj.-Gen. (res.) Regev approved assistance.” 3. RECOMMENDATION: INDICTMENT. Police: There is evidence to try [Ashkenazi] Chief Rabbi. YEDIOT AHRONOT 1. Inside New York hall, they clapped for PM, outside they demonstrated against him. SHARON: DISENGAGEMENT WILL ASSURE JEWISH MAJORITY. “Security situation will improve,” Sharon promised Jews in Manhattan. 2. Recommendation to Chief-of-Staff: STEPS AGAINST MAJ.-GEN. WHO RECEIVED EXCESSIVE BENEFITS. OC Ground Forces Maj.-Gen. Ron-Tal suspected of receiving benefits in contravention of orders. Majs.-Gen. Gil Regev and Benny Gants investigated – and acquitted. 3. Attorney-General Mazuz: PREFERABLE THAT [ASHKENAZI] CHIEF RABBI METZGER SUSPEND HIMSELF. Police: Solid evidence for fraud indictment. Embarrassment at Chief Rabbinate following Metzger and Amar affairs: “We are depressed; maybe we will have to select new chief rabbis.” 4. SHALOM, IN IRAQI ARABIC. Messianic era: National Infrastructures Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer and Iraqi Foreign Minister, natives of Basra, met yesterday in Jordan and had friendly conversation in Iraqi Arabic. 5. Due to forgeries: CONSULS ABROAD TO STOP ISSUING ISRAELI PASSPORTS. ______________________________ SUMMARY OF EDITORIALS FROM THE HEBREW PRESS Yediot Ahronot suggests that Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s current visit to the US is being overshadowed by the controversy surrounding Israeli Ambassador to the US Danny Ayalon. Yediot Ahronot, in its second editorial, commends Prime Minister Sharon’s decision to appoint Ra’anana Mayor Zeev Bielski as the next Jewish Agency Chairman. Hatzofeh accuses the police of brutality in dealing with certain youths who protested against the Disengagement Plan last week even though the latter broke no law and criticizes a Haifa judge for agreeing to extend their remand. Yediot Ahronot, in its third editorial, criticizes Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi Yonah Metzger’s refusal to suspend himself despite the corruption accusations against him and the police recommendation that he be tried in their regard. BPI-info