SUMMARY OF EDITORIALS FROM THE HEBREW PRESS

Both papers comment on various issues related to the selection of the next IDF Chief-of-Staff:

Hatzofeh wishes Maj.-Gen. (res.) Gaby Ashkenazi success as the IDF’s next Chief-of-Staff, „because his success is our success.” However, the editors doubt whether Ashkenazi, „is the officer that will succeed in rehabilitating the army,” and note that one observer has described him as, „A simple soldier, not a strategist.” Nevertheless, the paper asserts that, „We must all give him generous credit and extraordinary confidence,” and adds that, „Prayer never hurts.”
Yediot Ahronot derides the process by which a new IDF Chief-of-Staff was chosen: „The desperate need to present the public with the Prime Minister and the Defense Minister – separately, of course – as the one who chose and decided who will be Chief-of-Staff is driving these two and their advisers crazy. The ‘I’ of these two VIPs presents them in an uncomplimentary fashion.”
Yediot Ahronot, in its second editorial, suggest that IDF Deputy Chief-of-Staff Maj.-Gen. Moshe Kaplinsky should not have published his letter in which he withdrew his candidacy to be the next IDF Chief-of-Staff. The editors believe that not only did it portray him as immodest („I am worthy of being Chief-of-Staff”) but suggests that his remarks regarding the Winograd Committee’s upcoming interim report were a vote of no-confidence in Defense Minister Amir Peretz and Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.

Yediot Ahronot, in its third editorial, says that it will be no less disastrous for the State if the accusations against President Moshe Katsav prove to be baseless.

HEADLINES FROM THE HEBREW PRESS
HA’ARETZ
1. OLMERT AND PERETZ AGREE: GABY ASHKENAZI WILL BE NEXT CHIEF-OF-STAFF.
Kaplinsky was asked to stay on as Ashkenazi’s deputy but has yet to answer.
2. First publication: Senior command war time discussions.
HALUTZ OPPOSED GROUND CAMPAIGN ALMOST TO THE END.
(…).
3. SWITZERLAND: WE MEDIATED BETWEEN ISRAELIS AND SYRIANS.
Those involved in the secret channel met with Eli Cohen’s family.
HATZOFEH
1. ASHKENAZI WILL TAKE COMMAND NEXT WEEK AS 19TH CHIEF-OF-STAFF.
Following round of discussions and consultations with standing and reserve army personnel, Defense Minister submitted his recommendation to the Prime Minister yesterday.
2. YA’ALON: IDF WILL RETURN TO ITSELF WITH SENIOR COMMND RESHUFFLE.
(…).
3. PERETZ: WILLING TO VIEW HAMAS AS PARTNER IF IT RECOGNIZES ISRAEL.
4. POPULAR RESISTANCE COMMITTEES: WE WILL KIDNAP MORE SOLDIERS.
5. THREATS AGAINST YEMENI JEWS: LEAVE COUNTRY IMMEDIATELY.
Saudi newspaper: Some 45 Jewish residents of the A-Salam district in the Sa’ada region left their homes last Thursday and moved into a hotel.

MA’ARIV
1. At least 13 ruling party MK’s acting to replace PM.
ORGANIZING IN KADIMA TO OUST OLMERT
Senior party members view Winograd report as opportunity to send Prime Minister home. According to one estimate, several ministers will meet to decide who among them will succeed Olmert and who will assume central roles in next Government.
2. MYSTERY: SENIOR DEFENSE MINISTRY OFFICIAL DISAPPEARS IN PARIS.
Concern for life of purchasing delegation head, David Dahan. He left his Paris home after leaving behind a letter.

YEDIOT AHRONOT
1. Olmert accepts Peretz’s recommendation: Ashkenazi – 19th Chief-of-Staff.
„GABY WILL BE THE SOLDIERS’ CHIEF-OF-STAFF.”
So said Ronit Ashkenazi, wife of designated Chief-of-Staff.
2. DEFENSE MINISTRY REPRESENTATIVE DISAPPEARS IN PARIS.
Concern for David Dahan’s life. Letter found at his home related to disappearance.
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