Washington is still not supporting Ehud Olmert’s convergence plan,”
despite the Prime Minister’s successful visit to the United States.
north:
Hatzofeh commends the IDF for its resolute response, particularly in
leveling Hizbullah’s lookout posts on the border, but wonders how it
will respond when Hizbullah tries to rebuild them. In such a case, the
editors urge the IDF to strike at Hizbullah’s entire infrastructure,
however deep inside Lebanon it may be.
Yediot Ahronot, in its second editorial, wonders whether or not Israel
should have waited until after the upcoming Shavuot holiday, when the
Galilee will be crowded with tourists and holidaymakers, before
responding to Hizbullah.
Yediot Ahronot comments on the resolution of the crisis over funding for
certain cancer medications and says, „In short, this case ended well.
But is all well?
HEADLINES FROM THE HEBREW PRESS
HA’ARETZ
1. IDF TO STEP UP GROUND ACTIONS IN NORTHERN GAZA STRIP.
2. NETANYAHU, IN HA’ARETZ INTERVIEW: I WAS OFFERED A BRIBE AT THE START
OF MY TENURE AS FINANCE MINISTER.
(…).
3. FIRST BEDOUIN WOMAN DOCTOR TRAINING IN BE’ER SHEVA.
4. LABOR MINISTERS ABSTAINED, BUDGET WAS APPROVED AND OLMERT AND PERETZ
RECONCILED.
HATZOFEH
1. Defense Minister and Chief-of-Staff sharply attack major cut in
defense budget.
HALUTZ: CUT IS DAMAGING AND INSULTING.
Yesterday: Ministers approved NIS 1 billion cut in 2006 state budget,
half of which will come from Defense Ministry. Eighteen ministers voted
in favor, seven Labor Party ministers abstained due to Defense Minister
Amir Peretz’s opposition to large cut.
2. IDF FORCES ACTIVE IN GAZA STRIP.
After it became clear that IDF’s massive shelling of launch areas was
ineffective, it was decided to return IDF elite units to deep inside
Gaza Strip.
MA’ARIV
1. Special poll: 11,000 residents of Judea and Samaria agree to leave
their homes.
445 OF SETTLERS: WILLING TO LEAVE.
Geocartographia survey: Dramatic increase over last year, when only 25%
agreed to leave.
2. OLMERT CONSIDERING: CONVERGENCE IN THREE STAGES.
According to initiative, evacuation will be gradual – starting in
western Judea and Samaria and afterwards in Jordan Valley.
YEDIOT AHRONOT
1. In wake of Government decision to cut defense budget.
HALUTZ: CUT IS INSULTING.
Ministers respond: „He must accept decision. He must know his place.”
BreuerPress-info
