1. GOVERNMENT PLANNING TO EXPEDITE CONVERSION OF HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF IMMIGRANTS.
PM decides to implement report of committee that recommended appointing rabbinical court judges who will be lenient regarding immigrants who convert in rabbinical courts.
2. IT’S OFFICIAL: KIBBUTZ BECOMING A MOSHAV.
Natur, on Golan Heights, was established by Kibbutz Artzi movement but is becoming a religious-secular moshav in order to survive.
MA’ARIV
1. Government and public showing flexibility on release of murderers.
MOST MINISTERS FAVOR „BLOOD ON THEIR HANDS” CHANGE.
Ma’ariv poll of ministers: Only Mofaz opposes changing criteria. Ma’ariv-Teleseker/tns poll: 33% of public prepared to release even prisoners who murdered Jews if it will lead to Shalit’s release.
YEDIOT AHRONOT
1. Israel: Egyptian authorities cooperating with Hamas.
TENSION WITH EGYPT.
Exchange of accusations between Jerusalem and Cairo on eve of Barak-Mubarak meeting. Chief-of-Staff prepares tape of evidence on Egypt ignoring weapons smuggling in Philadelphi Corridor.
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SUMMARY OF EDITORIALS FROM THE HEBREW PRESS
Yediot Ahronot complains that the script regarding the settlement issue has become a boring repetition; the US complains, we reply, ‘coalition problems’, a vociferous complaint about Palestinian infringements and then the problem is smoothed over.
Ma’ariv believes that a major Israeli military operation in the Gaza Strip would be a strategic mistake, not only due to the heavy loses likely to be incurred, but also because, „A Hamas government is preferable for Israeli interests. …Hamas is good for us because it presents the Palestinian Authority without its clothes.”
