1. In Gaza: Three Hamas activists killed and five abducted; in West Bank: Nablus Deputy Mayor kidnapped.
Violent clash between Shalit’s kidnappers liable to delay deal.
2. Battle over Defense portfolio.
WITHOUT OFFICIAL DECLARATION: BARAK BEGINS CAMPAIGN FOR LABOR LEADERSHIP.
HATZOFEH
1. US to transfer $86.4 million to Abu Mazen’s forces.
HANIYEH SMUGGLES $20 MILLION INTO GAZA STRIP – WITH EGYPTIAN PERMISSION.
So reports Egyptian newspaper Al-Ahram. Senior Egyptian customs official: Haniyeh acted legally – he declared the money. Abu Mazen: Haniyeh’s army is illegal; Hamas: We will double the number of fighters.
2. SHOOTINGS AND ABDUCTIONS BETWEEN HAMAS AND FATAH – ALSO IN JUDEA AND SAMARIA.
3. SENIOR MILITARY SOURCE: THURSDAY RAMALLAH ACTION WAS NOT UNUSUAL.
Responds to remarks by „political sources” that attacked Maj.-Gen. Naveh for not updating Defense Minister on plan for Ramallah before Olmert-Mubarak meeting.
4. FIVE ROCKETS FIRED AT WESTERN NEGEV OVER WEEKEND.
5. POLICE ARREST GUSH ETZION RESIDENTS DURING FRIDAY DEMONSTRATION.
MA’ARIV
1. True story behind reports on Gilad Shalit tape.
HAMAS OFFERED TAPE, ISRAEL DIDN’T WANT IT.
Last week, Israel denied that it had received tape in which Gilad Shalit sent a message to his parents. Now it is clear: Hamas demanded release of 250 prisoners and Olmert decided that exaggerated price and tape would only hurt Gilad’s parents.
2. THE QUIET COMEBACK.
Barak has learned lessons.
YEDIOT AHRONOT
1. (…).
INVESTIGATING TAX BREAKS FOR MAJOR COMPANIES.
(…).
2. IDF TO DOUBLE NUMBER OF WOMEN IN PILOT’S COURSE.
Intends to change classification system in order to reduce high drop-out rate among women cadets.
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SUMMARY OF EDITORIALS FROM THE HEBREW PRESS
Hatzofeh considers the speculation regarding Defense Minister Amir Peretz, and suggests that even if there is a strong likelihood that he will leave his current post for the Social Affairs Ministry, he will not do so until he exacts a heavy price from Prime Minister Ehud Olmert. But the editors caution that Winograd Committee report could change everything.
Yediot Ahronot says that, before his departure from world politics, French President Jacques Chirac will not let the world forget that he was right about his refusal to join the invasion party in Iraq. The editors continue, „What Bill Clinton did with Monica Lewinsky in backrooms, George Bush is doing to the USA’s standing in the world.”
Yediot Ahronot, in its second editorial, says that the initiative by Ministry of Industry, Trade and Labor to offer a NIS 1,000 monthly incentive to employers of Arabs and ultra-orthodox Jews is logical.
Yediot Ahronot, in its third editorial, expresses its concern that yet another wrinkle may have been added to the face of the nation: Civil indifference. The editors point to the results of the Givatayim municipal elections where, on a clear and sunny election day, less than a third of residents came out to vote.
BreuerPress-info