HAARETZ 1. THIS MORNING: DOCTORS TO TRY TO WAKE SHARON AND DETERMINE EXTENT OF DAMAGE TO HIS BRAIN. Sharon’s condition Additional CT scan yesterday showed slight improvement in brain picture but PM’s life is still in danger. Process If there is no significant change in his condition by this morning, IV sedatives will be gradually reduced. Criticism Senior Hadassah doctor: „There was no justification for heart catheterization and in deciding to give him blood-thinners.” Government Second Cabinet meeting without Sharon held yesterday; according to Olmert’s confidants, he will begin to discuss allocation of his portfolios this weekend. 2. Ahead of elections. SENIOR KADIMA OFFICIALS: LIVNI #2, PERES WON’T BE FOREIGN MINISTER. 3. IRANIAN-TRAINED EXPLOSIVES EXPERTS INFILTRATED INTO GAZA STRIP. 4. 90 QUIET MINUTES IN SAKHNIN ENDED IN MASS BRAWL WITH BETAR. HATZOFEH 1. This morning: Doctors will begin to reduce strength of PM’s sedation. WITH PRAYERS AND EXPECTATIONS. CT scan carried out on PM yesterday morning showed improvement in picture of PM’s brain. Peres succumbs to criticism: „I will be part of Kadima list.” 2. OLMERT TO CONTINUE HOLDING FINANCE PORTFOLIO. 3. KNESSET OPPOSITION AGAINST NETANYAHU INITIATIVE TO APPROVE BUDGET BEFORE ELECTIONS. 4. MINISTER SHALOM: EASTERN JERUSALEM ARABS WILL BE ABLE TO VOTE IN PALESTINIAN PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS OUTSIDE CITY BOUNDARIES. 5. 445 EXPELEE FAMILIES STILL IN HOTELS. 6. ANTI-SEMITIC LITERATURE THAT PREACHES VIOLENCE AGAINST JEWS CONTINUES TO APPEAR IN EGYPT. MAARIV 1. Positive sign: Sharon coughed lightly. Rabbis give Sharon another name: Haim („Life”). Netanyahu: Must support budget. WAKE UP. Today: After four days of deep sedation, doctors will try to finally wake PM. Hospital Director: „Tests show additional improvement in brain picture.” Olmert’s position strengthened Peres announces his support. 2. BATTLE BETWEEN BETAR AND BNEI SAKHNIN FANS. 10 wounded in giant brawl at end of game. Arkady Gaidamak’s car vandalized. 3. Screw-up in Caracal battalion. „THEY FORCED US TO CROSS JORDANIAN BORDER.” Men and women soldiers claim: „Dead pigeons in our water tanks and no food.” YEDIOT AHRONOT 1. This morning: Hadassah doctors expected to try to wake PM. CHECKING FOR DAMAGE. Preparing for dramatic day at neurosurgery ward: Will start with gradual reduction in sedatives. Doctors will monitor Sharon’s state of consciousness throughout process by means of several tests: Pupils’ reto light and stimulus and pain responses. Head injury expert: To say that he is responding well, he must repeat responses to tests. Hadassah source: „Only after PM wakes up will we be able to know extent of brain injury.” 2. SHARON CONFIDANTS IN UNPRECEDENTED CRITICISM AGAINST LIVNAT. Sharon fighting for his life and in his immediate entourage, they are attacking Education Minister: „Her attack on PM regarding Schlaff affair on eve of his planned heart catheterization made him very angry.” One of Sharon’s people: „Metaphorically, it’s like abetting a murder.” Livnat: „Inflammatory remarks.” ______________________________ SUMMARY OF EDITORIALS FROM THE HEBREW PRESS Hatzofeh commends Hadassah Ein-Kerem Hospital Director Prof. Shlomo Mor-Yosef for his forthrightness and strongly criticizes the irresponsible rumor-mongering of those, „who wish ill on the Prime Minister.” The editors wonder whether an average citizen would receive the same care that Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is receiving. Yediot Ahronot believes that, „As a centrist party, Kadima gives genuine expression to the desires, positions and interests of the Israeli middle class,” and suggests that in bolting from the Likud and creating Kadima, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon was responding to a public need. The editors refute the contention that Kadima is, „a party of one man,” and is, „either devoid of ideology or has a blurred ideology,” and suggest that, „The measure of Kadima’s success in the upcoming elections depends on the conduct of its leaders; while none of them is capable of stepping into Sharon’s shoes, the voters will judge them according to what they are and not according to what they are not.”
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