HAARETZ 1. LABOR CONSIDERING RESIGNING THIS WEEK. According to Labor ministers, if they decide to support Knesset dissolution, they wont wait for dismissals from Sharon. 2. Diplomatic arena: RICE: ACCELERATE OPENING OF GAZA STRIP CROSSINGS. 3. PERETZ EFFECT CONTINUING. Two days after election of new Labor Party Chairman declines on stock exchange and bond market. HATZOFEH 1. Senior PA officials favor moving terrorism to Judea and Samaria. TERRORISM MOVING FROM GAZA STRIP TO JUDEA AND SAMARIA VIA EGYPT AND JORDAN. IDF prevented passage of terrorism activists from Gaza Strip when they arrived at Allenby Bridge. Activists had planned to set up terrorism infrastructures in Judea and Samaria they were not arrested due to lack of precise information on their crimes. 2. IDF SHELLS LAUNCH AREAS IN NORTHERN GAZA STRIP. Firing after mortar round was fired at Israeli territory. Series of measures to ease Palestinian workers entry into Israel decided upon. 3. STALEMATE IN CONTACTS WITH PALESTINIANS ON OPENING OF GAZA STRIP CROSSINGS. 4. CABINET MEETING LASTED 15 MINUTES. Sharons Bureau: There was nothing to discuss no panic over Peretzs election. Peretz: Labor will not support budget even if there are changes. MAARIV 1. Likud initiative: Sharon and Netanyahu in alliance against Peretz. MOFAZ: BIBI, COME HOME. Moment before Labor quits, Likud trying to heal internal rifts. DM calls on Netanyahu: If Likud is dear to you, quit race for party chair. 2. THE POLICE WILL DEMOLISH YOUR CAR. Clause in law allows police to demolish cars of traffic offenders. Three cars have already been demolished. 3. DUE TO DISENGAGEMENT: BREAKING SECOND GLASS UNDER THE HUPAH IN MEMORY OF GUSH KATIF. YEDIOT AHRONOT 1. Sharon v. Netanyahu: Likud initiative primaries to be cancelled by agreement, Sharon to head list, Bibi #2. Rebels vs. Sharon: Yediot Ahronot poll disengagement opponents taking control of Likud Knesset list. Labor vs. Peretz: Dictator, Caricature thus Labor ministers describe their new Chairman. PERETZ: I WILL NOT GIVE IN. Despite attacks he is absorbing from his party colleagues and from PMs Bureau, new Labor Chairman is determined: Will propose to ftomorrow to begin moves this week to break up Government. Sharons Bureau: Peretz thinks that he is running the Histadrut. 2. STRIKE AT DIMONA NUCLEAR REACTOR. Today: Reactor workers to strike over intention to change their conditions of employment. ______________________________ SUMMARY OF EDITORIALS FROM THE HEBREW PRESS Yediot Ahronot analyzes Labor Party Chairman MK Amir Peretzs statements on restoring support payments that were cut in 2002, raising the minimum wage by almost 40% and bank privatization. The editors assert that the old support payments regime distorted the labor market and created incentives not to work and believe that payments should be restored only for those people who cannot work due to age or disability. The paper says that raising the minimum wage by as much as Peretz has formerly suggested would result in mass dismissals of workers at the lower end of the wage scale. The editors believe that existing wage laws must be more rigorously enforced and that other payments to workers such as premiums, overtime, etc. should be included in the definition of minimum wage. Lastly, the paper calls for bank privatization to proceed apace. Hatzofeh commends State Comptroller Micha Lindenstrausss record in office thus far and says that, It seems that he is not afraid to take on the elites.
BPI
BPI
