1. Following erosion of boycott on Palestinian Authority, Israel is clarifying: It’s the money.
HATZOFEH
1. Olmert: We will speak with Abu Mazen even though he did not honor his obligations.
WORLD PALESTINIAN DIPLOMATIC OFFENSIVE FOR RECOGNITION OF HAMAS-FATAH GOVERNMENT.
Norwegian Foreign Minister arrives today in Gaza Strip. Ministers of Finance and Foreign Affairs Salam Faid and Zaid Abu Amar will depart in the coming days on visits to Europe and US with the objective to end blockade of PA. The Government decided: We will not cooperate with Palestinian unity government. Olmert to ministers: Do not talk with your Palestinian unity government counterparts.
2. MINISTERIAL COMMITTEE DECIDES: LEBANESE CONFLICT WAS A WAR.
3. NEGOTIATIONS FAIL: HISTADRUT INSISTS ON STRIKING ECONOMY ON WEDNESDAY.
MA’ARIV
1. Washington and Jerusalem working separately on nuclear issue.
USA REFUSES TO COORDINATE OPERATIONS AGAINST IRAN.
In recent months there have been reports of American-Israeli coordination for possible attack on Iran. But security establishment reveals: No such cooperation.
YEDIOT AHRONOT
1. Poll by Yediot Ahronot and Dr. Mina Tzemah/Dahaf: Despite Government decision, 56% of citizens: Must speak with new Palestinian government.
PERETZ: RENEW NEGOTIATIONS. OLMERT: FORGET IT.
Defense Minister: Urgently open final status negotiations with Abu Mazen. Prime Minister: He can’t deliver the goods. Government decided yesterday: Boycotting Palestinians.
2. EN ROUTE TO NATIONAL STRIKE.
Meeting between Histadrut labor federation and Finance and Interior ministries ended last night without results. Histadrut Chairman: If workers are not paid by tomorrow – we will strike the economy.
3. „GOOOOOD CHICKEN VIETNAM!”
New Israeli export to Far East: Chicken feet.
4. „YOU’VE NEVER SEEN A CELEBRATION LIKE THIS”
– Promise English fans prior to Saturday match against Israel.
____________________________
SUMMARY OF EDITORIALS FROM THE HEBREW PRESS
Yediot Ahronot suggests that Hamas in particular and the Palestinians in general, have out-maneuvered Israel by establishing a unity government. The editors believe that either continuing the current line or trying to militarily crush the Palestinian government would backfire badly and assert that the best option for Israel would be to open a direct dialogue with the new Palestinian government, i.e. „negotiate with Hamas.”
Hatzofeh says that Prime Minister Ehud Olmert’s decision not to recognize the new Palestinian Authority government while still maintaining contacts with PA President Abu Mazen is, „astonishing,” given that Abu Mazen was instrumental in setting up the government. The editors suggest that Prime Minister Olmert would be willing to withdraw from much of the old City of Jerusalem and call on him and Defense Minister Peretz to resign – inter alia – over their failures during last summer’s fighting in Lebanon.
BreuerPress-info
